OCAD University is introducing the AI Exploration Lab, a monthly workshop for OCAD U faculty, technicians, teaching assistants and academic support staff to explore artificial intelligence tools alongside colleagues in art, design and pedagogy.
The series is facilitated by OCAD U’s Centre for Learning & Teaching in collaboration with IT Services to provide an experimental environment where participants of all experience levels can learn from one another, share techniques and explore new directions for engaging with existing and emerging AI tools.
The goal of the new learning space is to co-create critical AI literacy by identifying best practices and promising use cases, as well as exploring the ethical considerations specific to OCAD U’s art and design educational environment.
The AI Exploration Lab begins with an inaugural session on March 23. Each two-hour session will be held online or in person, with the format determined by the tools examined that month. Each session will be led by instructors, technicians and academic support staff and will include demonstrations, guided experimentation and open discussions on the current uses of AI.
Upcoming AI Exploration Lab sessions for faculty and staff
March 23: Intro to Vibe Coding
Location and Time: 113 McCaul St., Room 516, 1 to 3 p.m.
This inaugural AI Exploration Lab will be led by Associate Professor Dr. Adam Tindale and co-facilitated by Emilie Brancato from the Centre for Learning and Teaching and Stevan Plavsa from IT Services.
The workshop features an introduction to “vibe coding” using Microsoft Copilot, where participants will learn to generate and experiment with code through conversational prompts. Participants will explore the impact of AI tools, even if coding does not feel directly relevant to their practice. Participants are asked to bring their laptops.
April 27: Cogniti
Location and Time: To be confirmed.
Chris Landry and Scott Johns from OCAD U’s Library Services will lead an exploration of Cogniti, an AI tool designed and built by educators to create sandboxes and apps where students can learn interactively. More details to be shared with faculty and staff by the Centre for Learning and Teaching.
