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University of Toronto Artificial Intelligence Task Force (PDAD&C #41)

From: Trevor Young, Vice-President and Provost
Date: May 10, 2024
Re: University of Toronto Artificial Intelligence Task Force (PDAD&C #41)


In March, I announced the appointment of Prof. Susan McCahan as the Provostial Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, and the formation of an institutional Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to engage members of the University in developing a vision and strategic plan for the University’s AI activities.

The Task Force will be led by a Steering Committee of individuals with expertise across a range of academic, administrative and technical areas. This committee will coordinate and synthesize the efforts of area-specific working groups, some of which have already begun their work – for example, in research, teaching & learning, and the Libraries.

This critical institutional initiative will consider ways that our community can best leverage AI to enhance our research expertise, support student success and engagement in rewarding learning and co-curricular experiences and services and improve operational efficiencies – all within a framework of clear and consistent ethical principles.

We are pleased to announce the membership of the Steering Committee as follows:   

RoleNameTitle
Teaching & Learning Co-ChairProfessor Susan McCahanProvostial Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, and Vice-Provost, Academic Programs
Teaching & Learning Co-ChairProfessor Karen ReidProfessor, Teaching Stream, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Arts & Science
Research Co-Chair Professor Tim ChanAssociate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiative, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Research Co-Chair Professor Gary BaderProfessor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Operations ChairRon SaportaChief Operating Officer, Property Services & Sustainability
Student Services Co-ChairProfessor Sandy WelshVice-Provost, Students; Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts & Sciences 
Student Services Co-ChairProfessor Bob GazzaleProfessor, Teaching Stream; Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts & Science
People Strategy, and Administration Co-ChairErin JacksonAssistant Vice-President, University Human Resources, Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture
People Strategy, and Administration Co-ChairProfessor Kelly LyonsProfessor, Faculty of Information; Interim Director, Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society
Communications Chair Chris BoutetDirector, Content Innovation, University of Toronto Communications 
Libraries Chair Larry AlfordChief Librarian, University of Toronto Libraries 
Technology & Data Governance Co-Chair Swetlana Signarowski Executive Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration 
Technology & Data Governance Co-Chair Professor Jamie Stafford Vice-Dean, Academic Operations; Professor, Department of Statistical Sciences, Faculty of Arts & Science 
Task Force Advisor Professor Muhammad Mamdani Director, Temerty Faculty of Medicine Centre for Artificial Intelligence Education and Research in Medicine (T-CAIREM); Professor, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine 
Task Force Advisor Archana SridharAssistant Provost
Task Force Advisor Professor Alison Gibbs Director, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation; Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Statistical Sciences, Faculty of Arts & Science 
Task Force Advisor Professor Joshua Barker Vice-Provost, Graduate Research & Education and Dean, School of Graduate Studies; Professor, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts & Science 
Lead Support Julian Weinrib Director, Innovations in Undergraduate Education, Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education 

Professor McCahan and I would also like to share the launch of a new institutional website on Artificial Intelligence (https://ai.utoronto.ca). This site provides a space for U of T community members and the general public to find academic and research opportunities at the University, information on technologies currently in use, supporting institutional guidelines and policies, and updates on new artificial intelligence activities across the University. As Task Force work unfolds, additional information and resources will also be available through the website.