UC AI Council Training Resources

UC AI Primer: Core Concepts and Fundamentals

The UC AI Primer: Core Concepts and Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence tailored for non-technical audiences. This training is designed to demystify AI and equip takers with a foundational understanding of its key concepts and implications. AI Primer modules include:

• The History of AI – Access AI’s journey from inception to its current state. Learn about the pivotal moments and breakthroughs that have shaped AI into the transformative technology it is today.
• What is AI? – Discover the various types of AI, including narrow AI and general AI, and understand how AI systems can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Delve into the subsets of AI, such as Machine Learning and Deep Learning. Learn how these technologies enable computers to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.
• Ethics of AI – Get familiar with the UC AI Principles and how they guide the development and deployment of AI at the UC. Understand the ethical considerations and values that ensure AI is used responsibly and for the benefit of all.
• Governance Best Practices – Learn about the best practices for governing AI. Access strategies for overseeing AI systems to ensure they are developed and used in alignment with ethical standards and societal values.
• Take a Tour of ChatGPT: Delve into use cases for ChatGPT and other generative AI models, while gaining an understanding of necessary guardrails and best practices. 

These modules will equip users with the knowledge needed to engage in informed discussions about AI and appreciate the importance of responsible AI governance. Don't have time to take the whole Primer? Users have the option to take all or just a portion of the available modules to suit their interests and needs.

UC AI Council AI Webinar Series - Video Recordings, May 21 and July 29, 2026

The UC AI Council launched a new AI Literacy webinar series, which will help educate and inform colleagues throughout the university about the use, considerations, benefits and risks of using artificial intelligence at work.

AI Literacy Webinar Series: The AI Roadmap: Driving from Idea to Innovation

Wednesday, May 21, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Neeraj Chauhan, Pegah Parsi, Brett Pollack and Roshni Pratap
Moderator: Shohreh Bozorgmehri

During this session, UC’s AI experts will examine the full trajectory of AI adoption and key considerations along the way. We will explore how to build a business use case, navigate risk assessment processes and vet external vendors or leverage existing AI tools to accelerate AI implementation.

Mitigating Risk through Awareness: A Framework for AI Literacy

Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Jenny Bombasaro Brady, Lisa Leiva And Douglas McSkimming
Moderator: Joe Sabado

This session tackles the question: “How do we upskill our system’s AI literacy?” We will focus on defining AI literacy and implementing AI for practical use while ensuring that faculty and staff understand how to use AI, the ethics and responsibilities of AI use and resources to support these efforts. We will also share ideas and strategies for engaging faculty and staff on AI literacy.

All levels of AI literacy are encouraged to watch.

UC AI Council AI Essentials Webinar Series - Innovation and Best Practices in AI, Video Recordings, March 26 - May 29, 2025

Meet UC domain experts and hear key considerations for implementing AI solutions across administrative disciplines, from protecting data to third-party vendor relationships. The four-part webinar series, hosted by the UC AI Council, provides UC faculty and staff operations and administration communities with the information and systemwide network necessary for responsible and effective AI implementation.

(1) AI & Third-Party Risk: Best Practices for Evaluating and Procuring AI Solutions [Video Recording; UC credentials required]

Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Lisa Ho, Bethanie Brown, Sajjad Matin, and Gigi Capuyan

As AI adoption accelerates, UC must carefully manage third-party risks when evaluating and purchasing AI-powered solutions. This webinar provides a roadmap for assessing AI tools, ensuring privacy, security, and compliance while mitigating risks. Our panel will guide attendees through key stages of AI acquisition, from pre-adoption considerations and vendor assessments to procurement strategies and risk advisories, equipping decision-makers with best practices for informed AI purchasing. This video is available to UC audiences only.

(2) AI in Action: UC AI Innovation Virtual Share Fair

Introduction [Video Recording]

Access Aid Use Case [Video Recording]

PolicyWonk Use Case [Video Recording]

Pose AI Use Case [Video Recording]

Wednesday, April 9, 2025,12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Jennifer Lofthus, Diana Cox, Adam Getchell, Stefan Tomic, Anna Ahearn, and Krithik Udayashankar
Moderator: Hillary Kalay

See groundbreaking AI implementations transforming workplace safety, policy navigation, and administrative efficiency across the UC system. This interactive session features real-world AI use cases, with presenters sharing their journey from ideation to implementation, highlighting key challenges, lessons learned, and alignment with UC’s AI Principles. Whether you’re exploring AI for your own initiatives or looking to connect with peers, this recording offers insights, collaboration, and inspiration to drive innovation.

(3) Generative AI and the Art of the Possible: Upskilling for the Future [Video Recording]

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Tina Austin, Kristina Markman, Sesh Murthy, Tamara Tate, and Erin Van Dusen
Moderator: Rolin Moe

As AI reshapes education, faculty must move beyond the hype to understand its real-world impact in the classroom. This webinar explores AI’s promise and challenges, offering practical strategies for integrating AI effectively. Educators will gain insights from real-world case studies, learning best practices and actionable takeaways to launch AI-driven classroom initiatives, from training custom models to leveraging existing tools.

(4) Safe Handling of UC Data in Generative AI Applications [Video Recording]

Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
Panelists: Chris Mattmann, Al Lavassani, Zainab Shakoor, and Shea Lovan
Moderator: Jennifer Lofthus

As generative AI becomes more embedded in everyday applications, ensuring the safe handling of UC data is crucial. This webinar explores key risks associated with AI tools, particularly those that may process sensitive data without user awareness. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, attendees will gain best practices for protecting institutional data, understanding controlled vs. uncontrolled AI applications, identifying hidden risks in third-party tools, and ensuring compliance with UC’s IS-3 policy.