## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [OCAD U launches AI Exploration Lab for faculty and staff](/markdownify/node/4299) March 26, 2026 # OCAD U launches AI Exploration Lab for faculty and staff ![AI stock photo](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-03/AI%20General.jpg.webp?itok=N4G6poXJ) The use of artificial intelligence in education is on the rise. rgb(255,255,255) OCAD University has launched 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 part of OCAD U’s ongoing efforts to integrate the expertise of the University’s community of artists and designers with experimental learning through exploration and play. Facilitated by OCAD U’s [Centre for Learning & Teaching](https://www.ocadu.ca/about-ocad-u/leadership/office-vp-academic-and-provost/centre-learning-teaching) (CLT) in collaboration with IT Services, the sessions provide an 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 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. As AI continues to evolve too rapidly for a single person to process, the new labs will encourage a distributed approach to knowledge sharing. The lab was launched with an inaugural session on March 30, Intro to Vibe Coding, led by Associate Professor Dr. Adam Tindale and co-facilitated by Emilie Brancato from the CLT and Stevan Plavsa from IT Services. The workshop featured an introduction to “vibe coding” using [Microsoft Copilot](https://copilot.microsoft.com/), where participants learned to generate and experiment with code through conversational prompts. Going forward, 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 session for faculty and staff** **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](https://cogniti.ai/), 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. ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. 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December 6, 2026 ](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals. December 13, 2026 ](/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists Sankofa Square and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027. December 6, 2026 ](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists)