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 the ethical implications surrounding AI, highlighting the gap between rapid advancements and the slower pace of legislation. Our discussions focused on recent efforts to enhance AI safety and transparency, as well as the challenges faced by tech workers in the AI industry. Below are some key updates reflecting these themes.

Here’s this week’s news:

AI Companies Sign Safety Pledge

Major AI firms, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, have signed a pledge with the U.S. government to enhance safety, security, and transparency in AI development. This initiative aims to address risks and prevent misuse, especially concerning AI’s role in elections and disinformation. Read more.

Global AI Safety Network Formation

The U.S. is establishing a global AI safety network with international partners to coordinate on AI safety standards and mitigate risks. This effort seeks to foster global collaboration in managing AI’s impact on society. Read more.

Phi-3 Vision Models on Azure

Microsoft has added new models to its Phi-3 family, including Phi-3 Vision 128k Instruct. These models, available on Azure, are designed to enhance AI capabilities in visual recognition and instruction-based tasks. Read more.

Real-Time Video Translation in Edge

Microsoft Edge has introduced a real-time video translation feature, allowing users to view translated subtitles on videos instantly. This tool aims to improve accessibility and understanding across different languages. Watch the demo.

Microsoft’s Recall Feature

Microsoft’s Recall feature for its productivity software suite enables users to retrieve emails sent by mistake. While useful, it raises concerns about potential misuse and privacy implications. Read more.

OpenAI Disbands Long-Term Risk Team

OpenAI has disbanded its Long-Term Risk team, which focused on addressing super-intelligent AI risks. The decision reflects a shift in OpenAI’s strategy toward managing AI risks and alignment. Read more.

Anthropic’s AI Transparency Research

Anthropic is conducting research to make AI systems more transparent by understanding how AI models make decisions. This research aims to improve the interoperability and reliability of AI technologies. Read more.

Kenyan Tech Workers’ Open Letter

Kenyan tech workers have addressed an open letter to President Biden, urging better labor conditions and fair treatment in the AI and tech industry. The letter highlights issues of exploitation and calls for international labor rights standards. 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: ChatGPT MacOS App

What is the ChatGPT MacOS App?

The ChatGPT MacOS App is a newly released desktop application that brings the functionality of OpenAI’s ChatGPT to Mac users, now with added capabilities for audio conversations. This app allows users to interact with ChatGPT through both text and voice, offering a more versatile and accessible AI assistant experience directly from their desktops.

How is it used?

Users can download and install the ChatGPT MacOS App from the Mac App Store. Once installed, the app can be launched from the desktop, providing an intuitive interface where users can either type their queries or use the microphone to speak directly to ChatGPT. The app supports real-time voice interactions, enabling users to have seamless audio conversations with the AI, making it easier to get responses while multitasking or when typing is inconvenient.

What is it used for?

The ChatGPT MacOS App is ideal for a wide range of tasks, including drafting emails, generating content, seeking information, and having interactive voice conversations. This feature is particularly useful for professionals, students, and anyone who prefers hands-free interaction with AI. The audio conversation capability makes it a powerful tool for users who need quick, on-the-go assistance without being tied to their keyboards, enhancing productivity and user experience.

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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.