The University of California is at the forefront of integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into its academic, research, and administrative operations. At UC Davis, Information and Educational Technology (IET) provides leadership and guidance on the responsible, secure, and ethical use of GenAI tools in partnership with campus partners. Aligned with campus values and institutional priorities, our strategy underscores the importance of AI innovation and community, while also delivering actionable guidance and a strong, forward-looking foundational infrastructure.  

 IET's GenAI Strategy: Powered by Vendor Partners, Anchored in Campus Values 

IET's GenAI strategy is guided by innovation, responsibility, and continuous evaluation. We view AI as a suite of tools to enhance its educational and research capabilities and to foster student success and operational efficiency. Key guiding principles include: 

• Mission Alignment: AI initiatives are designed to align with UC Davis’s broader institutional goals, ensuring that AI tools contribute to academic excellence, research advancement, and operational efficiency. 
• Learning & Development: To prepare the campus community for an AI-driven future, we promote learning opportunities, which underscore responsible AI use and ensure that users understand their role in maintaining data accuracy. 
• Ethical Use & Security: UC Davis is committed to the responsible use of AI, addressing concerns like bias, transparency, and accountability. Through partnerships with vendors like Microsoft and OpenAI, the university ensures rigorous security protections via UC contracts. These safeguards help mitigate risks associated with AI technologies, maintaining privacy and upholding principles of ethical innovation. 
• Scalability & Flexibility: Our GenAI strategy emphasizes building a flexible AI infrastructure that adapts to evolving technologies. Leveraging scalable cloud infrastructure through Microsoft, UC Davis is positioned to meet increasing AI demands without relying on on-campus resources. 

We leverage the user experience and cloud infrastructure provided by our vendor partners 
(Microsoft & OpenAI), while maintaining rigorous security protections through UC contracts. As a result, we can offer a scalable cloud infrastructure that grows with demand and does not require on-campus resources (from Microsoft), and a positive user experience that can increase adoption (from OpenAI).  

Our goal is to establish UC Davis as a leader in AI adoption, enhancing the student experience, driving research, and preparing graduates for an AI-enabled world. 

Values & Benefits of GenAI at UC Davis 

The strategic adoption of GenAI:  

• Positions the university competitively among higher education institutions. 
• Enhances the UC Davis educational experience as a vector for student success and prepares our students for the needs and challenges of an AI-enabled world. 
• Advances UC Davis's culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and accelerates research activities beyond the boundaries of the university. 
• Further enables operational excellence and mobilizes resources for efficiency & effectiveness. 

Strategy in Practice: IET's GenAI Guidance 

Since fall 2023, IET has maintained a dedicated Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) website, designed to serve as a centralized hub for AI-related resources across campus. This platform is pivotal in guiding students, faculty, and staff through the rapidly changing landscape of AI technology. 

The website offers: 

• Comprehensive AI Resources: A rich collection of curated articles, product briefs, educational materials, and guidance on how to leverage AI tools in various disciplines. 
• Events Calendar & Video Collection: A schedule of upcoming AI-related events, workshops, and seminars, as well as a video library of past events to help the community stay informed. 
• News & Updates: Continuous updates on the latest developments in AI, both at UC Davis and beyond, keeping the campus community abreast of innovations. 

The site also provides a collaborative platform where users can contribute content, offer feedback, and make suggestions for improvement. By serving as a resource for both information and dialogue, the website fosters an environment of open communication around AI initiatives at UC Davis. Access to the site requires a UC Davis CAS login, ensuring that resources remain tailored to the university's needs. 

Innovation in Motion: GenAI Community 

The Administrative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Community of Practice (CoP) Summit held in June 2024 highlighted the ongoing commitment of UC Davis to fostering a strong AI community. The summit served as a forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and discussions on responsible AI use. 

Key insights from the summit include: 

• AI as a Tool for Inclusivity: One of the significant advantages of AI discussed was its ability to support non-English speakers, thereby promoting equity in academic publishing and scientific research. AI tools can help bridge language barriers, providing greater access to scholarly work. 
• Responsible AI Governance: UC Davis follows frameworks like the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and the EU AI Act to ensure that AI tools are implemented with proper oversight. These frameworks guide the university in setting up governance structures to manage risks, evaluate ethical considerations, and ensure transparency and accountability in AI use. 
• AI in Education and Operations: Sessions on writing effective AI prompts and privacy perspectives emphasized the importance of training students and staff to use AI responsibly. The discussions reinforced that while AI can enhance productivity, users must be aware of its limitations and risks, especially regarding privacy and data security. 

The Administrative AI Community of Practice serves as an advisory body, encouraging continuous dialogue among administrators, faculty, and students. By working together, the community ensures that AI initiatives align with the university's values and goals, and that the campus remains a leader in AI innovation and ethics. 

IET's GenAI strategy, supported by clear guidance and a robust community of practice, positions the university as a leader in harnessing AI technology for education, research, and operational excellence. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and ethical use, we are preparing our community for the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven future.