These sixty minute, weekly sessions – facilitated by Technologists and Pedagogy Experts from the CTLT – are designed for faculty and staff at UBC who are using, or thinking about using, Generative AI tools as part of their teaching, researching, or daily work. Each week we discuss the news of the week, highlight a specific tool for use within teaching and learning, and then hold a question and answer session for attendees.

They run on Zoom every Wednesday from 1pm – 2pm and you can register for upcoming events on the CTLT Events Website.

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News of the Week

Each week we discuss several new items that happened in the Generative AI space over the past 7 days. There’s usually a flood of new AI-adjacent news every week – as this industry is moving so fast – so we highlight news articles which are relevant to the UBC community.

This week, we discussed significant advancements in AI, focusing on new product launches, ethical considerations, and innovative research. Highlights include the introduction of Anthropic’s AI chatbot Claude in Canada, new features in ChatGPT, and cutting-edge research on emotional AI and robotic efficiency. Below are the key updates:

This Week’s AI News:

Anthropic Brings Claude to Canada

Anthropic’s safety-first AI chatbot, Claude, is now available in Canada. Known for its focus on ethical AI, Claude uses publicly available information and licensed datasets to provide a safer AI experience. Read more.

ChatGPT Custom GPTs for Free

OpenAI’s ChatGPT now allows users to create custom GPTs at no cost. This feature aims to democratize AI by enabling more personalized and specific AI applications for users. Read more.

Introducing ChatGPT-EDU

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT-EDU, a version of ChatGPT tailored for educational purposes. This platform offers tools for teachers and students to enhance learning and streamline educational tasks. Read more.

Whistleblower Claims Against OpenAI

A whistleblower has raised concerns about OpenAI’s internal practices, alleging issues related to transparency and safety in AI development. The claims are under investigation as the company addresses these serious allegations. Read more.

Google AI Enhancements

Google’s latest AI updates include improvements to search algorithms and new AI-driven features to enhance user experience and search accuracy. Read more.

Emotion-Understanding AI Model

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä have developed a model that enables computers to understand human emotions. This breakthrough could enhance human-computer interaction and emotional intelligence in AI systems. Read more.

Efficient Multipurpose Robots from MIT

MIT researchers have devised a technique to create more effective multipurpose robots. This method allows robots to adapt better to various tasks, increasing their utility in different fields. Read more.

Decoding Dog Vocalizations with AI

The University of Michigan is using AI to decode dog vocalizations, aiming to improve communication between humans and dogs. This research could lead to better understanding and care for pets. Read more.

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Tool of the Week

Each week we demonstrate a Generative AI tool that can be used within teaching and learning. The GenAI space is evolving rapidly, and as such we demo new tools or new ways people use those tools.

As a reminder not all tools we showcase have successfully been through the PIA process at UBC.

Tool of the Week: Claude Prompt Library

What is the Claude Prompt Library?
The Claude Prompt Library is a collection of pre-designed prompts for Anthropic’s AI chatbot, Claude. This tool helps users learn effective prompting techniques to optimize interactions with Claude.

How is it used?
Users can browse the library to find prompts tailored to various tasks, such as content creation, summarization, coding, and more. Each prompt is designed to guide Claude in delivering accurate and contextually relevant responses.

What is it used for?
The library is an invaluable resource for new and experienced users looking to maximize Claude’s capabilities. By using these prompts, users can achieve more precise and efficient results, making it a powerful tool for learning and leveraging AI effectively.

For more details, explore Claude’s Prompting Library.

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Questions and Answers

Each studio ends with a question and answer session whereby attendees can ask questions of the pedagogy experts and technologists who facilitate the sessions. We have published a full FAQ section on this site. If you have other questions about GenAI usage, please get in touch.