Weytkp. Bonjour. Hello everyone,
My last few weeks remained on our institutional value of community-mindedness — of us coming together to help one another, to collectively “[contribute] to an interconnected world where we share a common future and humanity”. I’ve spent more time connecting with colleagues across the university.
The common theme keeps coming back to building confidence with AI, and how to ensure that TRU colleagues and students can be successful in an AI-empowered world. Those conversations are what’s sparking new learning ideas around the theme of community. It reminded me that learning is often stronger when done together. We read, experiment and explore independently, but some of our most meaningful learning happens when we ask questions together, challenge one another’s thinking and build on each other’s experiences.
I’m thankful for everyone who has chosen to share their feedback and share their advice with me. Your voices help shape TRU horaizon, and it helps us create a better and stronger plan.
Since my last update
One of the ways we’re putting that thinking into practice is through community-based learning. Over the last couple of months, we’ve built Level Up — a new program to offer interested folks a variety of opportunities and ways to grow their AI competency. Level Up is built with the belief that learning isn’t a single event — it’s a journey that grows with experience, confidence, connection and practice.
Our approach is based on UNESCO’s AI competency framework, which recognizes that people develop AI capability in stages:
- L1 Acquire – building the confidence and foundational AI competency.
- L2 Deepen – applying AI in ways that are meaningful to your role and responsibilities.
- L3 Innovate – creating new ideas, approaches and systems that reimagine what’s possible.
Our immediate focus is on designing L1 Acquire, recognizing that everyone starts their AI journey from a different place. Here are some emerging ideas that I’d love your feedback on:
- We’re exploring horaizon Circles: interest-based communities where people can connect around shared topics and learn together. We hope to share a first few pilots soon for you to join or lead — there’s no better place than a university to champion and challenge diverse opinions so we may all learn together.
- We’re also exploring an AI Speaker Series that will introduce novel voices and perspectives into our conversations this fall. This one pays homage to our institutional value of “Curiosity — to seek out new ideas and embrace change, understanding they may involve risks”.
- And, last but not least, through an expanded partnership with Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), we’re looking at how nationally recognized AI learning opportunities can become more accessible to the TRU community. Thank you to the Gagliardi School of Business and Economics for initiating this relationship.
Although each initiative is different, they share a common purpose: making AI learning approachable, practical and community-driven.
TRU horaizon in focus
The spirit of learning together is showing up in the conversations we’re having across our community.
We welcome Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation @Lincoln Smith and Interim Associate Vice-President of Students @Reuben Onyango to the TRU horaizon Leadership Team, bringing additional perspectives in research, strategy and student-centred innovation.
Outside of TRU, conversations with Telus and Bell have explored how major technology partners can contribute to TRU’s mission and support responsible AI development in our region. Discussions with colleagues at UBC and CANHEIT focused on sharing TRU’s responsible AI approach and strengthening regional networks for collaboration and best practices, while, conversations with the City of Kamloops and Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce, through MP Frank Caputo’s Economic Council, explored how TRU horaizon can support community needs beyond our campus. Thank you to all the spokespeople who have represented TRU and TRU horaizon so well.
Despite their different perspectives, these conversations all point toward the same idea: responsible AI is something we build together.
Each new conversation strengthens the work. Each new perspective helps shape where we go next.
Til next time
One of the musings I shared in my last Friday Letter was that multiple things can be true at the same time. I think the same is true of learning. We each bring different experiences, perspectives and questions, yet we all have something to contribute. The more truths we can uphold, the stronger our own position is.
As Level Up continues to grow, I hope it helps create that kind of AI learning community across TRU.
As always, I’d love to hear your ideas, thoughts and feedback at horaizon@tru.ca.
Kukwstsétselp. Merci. Thank you,
Andrea Li
Special Advisor to the President on AI