AI Initiative
AI has already reached learning environments across educational sectors, presenting both untapped potential and critical challenges for students, faculty, institutional leaders, and policymakers alike.
In response to this pivotal moment, Learning Lab launched its AI Initiative in 2024. This initiative brings together educators and experts to explore AI’s evolving role in teaching and learning through shared resources, discussions, and collaboration.The AI Initiative brings together faculty-led projects, ongoing programs like AI Challenge Grants, and active engagement channels such as our podcast and newsletter to explore AI in teaching and learning.
Check back regularly for new insights, tools, and opportunities to
stay engaged!
AI’s reach across educational sectors presents both untapped potential and critical challenges for students, faculty, and institutional leaders.
In response to this pivotal moment, Learning Lab launched its AI Initiative in 2024 to bring together educators and experts to explore AI’s evolving role in teaching and learning. The AI Initiative brings together faculty-led projects, ongoing programs like AI Challenge Grants, and active engagement channels such as our Substack and podcast to explore AI in teaching and learning.
Subscribe to Learning Lab’s updates for new insights, tools, and opportunities to stay engaged.
Learn more about the vision and strategy behind Learning Lab's AI Initiative
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Follow the Conversation
Listen in. Read on. Join the evolving conversation.
Hosted by CSU professors Sarah Senk and Taiyo Inoue, “My Robot Teacher” digs into how AI is transforming classrooms, faculty work, and the student experience.
The written companion to the “My Robot Teacher” podcast — deeper dives into AI’s impact on higher education. Explore essays, ideas, and behind-the-scenes reflections that extend the conversations from each episode.
Explore insights on pedagogy, policy, and the evolving role of AI in education through the California Education Learning Lab’s Substack, where we share thought-provoking perspectives on teaching and learning.
Discover What We're Learning
The following briefs represent Learning Lab's analysis of key themes emerging from the 33 faculty-led projects funded through the 2024 AI Challenge, drawing on grantee interviews and a review of applications across California Community Colleges, CSU and UC campuses. Although most projects are still underway, these briefs highlight early insights and the potential of faculty-led, student-centered innovation to promote the ethical and productive use of AI in California public higher education.
AI Challenge Grants
AI Challenge Grants are a central part of the AI Initiative, supporting faculty-led projects across California’s public higher education systems. Launched in 2024, the AI Challenge awarded almost $12 million to 33 projects, from AI tool development, to rethinking assessment strategies, to enhancing AI and digital literacy, and investigating best use cases for AI integration across disciplines. Projects are now underway and can be explored on the Funded Projects and Award Announcement pages.
Faculty Created Resources
Learning Lab’s Faculty Innovators-in-Residence Strategy Team (FIRST) worked to advance AI integration in teaching and learning during the 2024-25 academic year. FIRST members curated AI resources and facilitated AI discussions through webinars, faculty learning communities, and virtual meet-ups. The resources below represent their contributions to the field.
Webinar Recordings
Access recordings from webinars and events that explore practical strategies, faculty insights, and collaborative discussions on AI in education, tackling evolving challenges and opportunities in teaching and learning.
Voices from the Field
Browse posts featuring thought leaders and practitioners from UCs, CSUs, and CCCs who serve as valuable resources for navigating issues seminal to AI in higher education.
Curated Resources/ Tools
Discover AI teaching and learning tools and resources vetted by FIRST members, including spotlight articles highlighting best practices use and a searchable spreadsheet of additional resource recommendations.
Professional Learning Community Curriculum
Review the FIRST PLC syllabus as a model for your own professional
learning communities.
Teaching and learning with AI TOols
