UCSD - University of California - San Diego

10/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2026 11:21

Learn Today, Build Tomorrow

Published Date

October 07, 2026

Article Content

UC San Diego offers a growing suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support teaching, learning and work, yet many faculty and staff are unsure where to start. To help break down the barriers of working with AI, the university has launched TritonAI Discovery, a new 15-part video series. The series offers short, accessible videos that help participants understand AI concepts, explore resources and engage with AI tools in their work.

The idea for the video series emerged from an extensive campus listening tour conducted by Emily Cowley, director of AI engagement. Her conversations with stakeholders revealed three common roadblocks that impact AI tool engagement: a lack of foundational AI knowledge, difficulty keeping up with the rapidly changing AI landscape and uncertainty about AI governance.

"We already offer a variety of AI training on campus, but that training isn't reaching everyone," said Cowley. "We wanted to create a one-stop place where people could start, learn the basics and gain the confidence to participate."

Creating a Common Language

The TritonAI Discovery series is designed to meet that need by creating a common language and shared understanding of AI. The videos don't replace existing training opportunities; they complement them by providing fundamental knowledge that prepares people for more specialized learning.

"The feedback we were getting following AI training is that people wanted to understand more than just how to use the tools," Cowley said. "They wanted to know about the ethics of using AI, environmental impacts, privacy and data security. We designed our videos to shed light on these topics."

The videos are written and presented by campus subject matter experts to ensure the topics they explore are specific and relevant to UC San Diego. "People wanted to hear from the experts who work in these areas every day," Cowley noted.

The series begins with broad topics such as AI fundamentals, ethics, privacy, security and responsible use before progressing into more practical applications. The video series is designed for AI users at every level, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners.

"There is no expectation that people already know how to use these tools," Cowley said. "The goal with these videos is to help people build confidence, experiment safely and understand the tools available to them.

"There is no expectation that people already know how to use these tools. The goal with these videos is to help people build confidence, experiment safely and understand the tools available to them." Emily Cowley, director of AI engagement

Starting a Conversation

Each video is intentionally brief, averaging around seven minutes in length. The series can be completed independently, but can be especially helpful to start the AI conversation among teams. The videos include questions that teams can use to spark discussions about how AI can support departmental goals, workflows and decision-making.

"We would like leaders to encourage their teams to engage with the videos together," Cowley said. "The discussions are important because they create opportunities for teams to align on how they want to approach AI."

While the technology behind AI will continue to evolve rapidly, Cowley believes the video series will provide lasting value by focusing on principles that will remain relevant regardless of future technological progress.

"Some of the AI tools will change over time," she said. "However, the foundational concepts like ethics, responsible use, privacy and oversight will continue to matter."

By creating a shared foundation in AI literacy, the series helps participants move beyond uncertainty and engage with emerging technologies. The videos are available on demand, allowing individuals and teams to learn at their own pace.

"There is something valuable in the videos for everyone," Cowley said.

The Next Phase

A second series of videos is scheduled to be released on October 15 and will cover how to use the tools from TritonGPT, Google Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Zoom, and the new TritonAI Harness. Unlike TritonGPT, the TritonAI Harness is a workspace that users download to Windows or Mac. It works with local files and connects to tools already in use, including email, calendar, Teams, and Google Workspace, with more integrations added regularly. It can create documents, build presentations, or put together a small app or integration, all using natural language.

Learn more about research and education at UC San Diego in: Artificial Intelligence

Read more news about: Artificial Intelligence

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