U of T’s AI Virtual Tutor Initiative: Supporting Students’ Constructive Use of AI

Facilitators:
Jordan Holmes, Senior Manager, Teaching, Learning and Technology, CTSI
Derek Hunt, Educational Developer, Teaching, Learning and Technology, CTSI
As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous, you have an opportunity to shape how AI supports learning in your courses. Through U of T’s Cogniti platform, you can create AI virtual tutors grounded in your course content and aligned with your pedagogical approach, with built-in safeguards to protect student wellbeing and learning outcomes.
In this session, you will discover how Cogniti enables you to:
• Deploy course-specific AI tutors directly in Quercus that reflect your syllabus, learning objectives, and content
• Guide students toward productive learning conversations rather than answer-seeking
• Monitor how students are engaging with AI support in your course
• Provide on-demand learning assistance tailored to your teaching approach
This initiative gives you control over AI’s role in your teaching rather than leaving students to navigate commercial tools on their own. Whether you’re curious about AI’s potential, concerned about its risks, or ready to experiment with new approaches to student support, we’ll explore how Cogniti can work within your teaching context.