Weyt-kp. Bonjour. Hello everyone,
Convocation is approaching, and there is a natural rhythm to this time of year – a sense of completion, and of starting again. It feels fitting that some of the ideas we’ve been building are also starting to take visible shape. It feels like a good time to take inventory and reflect on all our progress, and on where we may want to go.
I’d love to hear from you: We started TRU horaizon with a small group in January. Many of you have asked for more ways to get involved, and we would like you to be part of what’s next. If that resonates, we’d love to hear from you.
Since my last update
Responsible AI
Senate met last week, and the proposed AI actions drew real attention. Senators raised important questions – about KPIs, environmental impact, equity and infrastructure readiness. I’m grateful. Those questions don’t sit outside our AI work – they’re exactly why we worded the planning goal the way we did.
When we chose the words responsible and applied, they were not chosen lightly.
- Responsibleis grounded in our AI values – Knucwentwecw, a shared responsibility to support each other. Responsible AI at TRU means AI that serves our whole community, without harm and without leaving people behind. Any AI strategy that isn’t values-first isn’t one we can stand behind.
- Appliedspeaks to who TRU is. We are a dual-sector university that solves real problems for the people and places in our region. Applied isn’t a descriptor – it’s a commitment to tangible outcomes in service of our community.
That’s why we aim to lead in responsible and applied AI. Not because we are solely chasing efficiency or new technology, but because our institutional values compel us to focus on what matters.
Take the environment for example. A study published in Nature by the LSE’s Grantham Research Institute found that AI applied to power, transport and food systems could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 3.2 to 5.4 billion tonnes annually by 2035 – outweighing the emissions increases from data centres and AI infrastructure, if applied intentionally. The IEA reinforces this: existing AI applications could lead to 1,400 megatonnes of CO₂ reductions by 2035. The trade-off is real – data centres consume enormous energy and water – but AI could also be one of our most powerful climate tools.
To me, the question changes: if it doesn’t have to be a zero-sum story, can we do even more and can we be even better? That’s why I’m passionate about TRU and Bell’s work on sustainable data centre infrastructure. It’s a meaningful contribution to getting that balance right – one I hope can set a new standard.
A visual that may help
Responsible AI doesn’t sit in just one place in a university. It spans every layer – from energy, to infrastructure, to models, to the experience people actually have when they use these tools.
That’s why we think about responsibility as captured in every layer: sustainable energy (BC Hydro), dedicated compute in our sustainable data centres, responsible AI models governed by our institutional values and applied AI that is impactful for the whole TRU community. What ties it together is a commitment to values-first AI.
AI and Robotics at TRU – Parts 2 and 3 with CFJC Today
CFJC Today has been highlighting TRU’s work in AI through a series.
Part 2 showcases projects that are impressive in their scope and practicality – a low-cost robotic hand integrating vision, voice AI and motion tracking; a digital twin for monitoring plant health; AI-enabled wildfire detection using solar-powered sensors; and real-time sports analytics to support coaching decisions. Students are combining disciplines to build solutions with real-world relevance, often with accessible, cost-effective tools.
Part 3 looks more closely at how AI is beginning to shape how institutions function, and what that looks like in practice at TRU. It connects to themes we return to often: responsible use, human-centred learning, ethics, sustainability and collaboration across disciplines.
Thank you to students and faculty members @Anthony Aighobahi, @Sean Hellingman, @Quan Nguyen, @Zeinab Teimoori, @Geoff Fink, for their time, perspectives and expertise.
Til next time
Thank you to everyone who continues to engage, ask questions, and share ideas. The questions raised at Senate last week are a good example of the kind of community thinking that makes this work better.
Xyemstwécw. We respect each other, the land, knowledge and the peoples of our region. That commitment continues to guide how we approach new technologies and their impact on our community.
Please continue sharing your questions or suggestions at horaizon@tru.ca
Kukwstsétselp. Merci. Thank you,
Andrea Li
Special Advisor to the President on AI