Building AI understanding through collaboration

A close collaboration between the University of Oxford’s AI Competency Centre and Kellogg College is helping to build AI understanding, confidence and community across the collegiate University. 

The partnership began through Xavier Laurent, Training Manager of the AI Competency Centre and a Research Member of Common Room at Kellogg College, who wanted to contribute to college life through meaningful engagement with artificial intelligence. Working closely with colleagues at Kellogg, the collaboration has developed into a wide-ranging programme of talks, workshops and community activity. 

Over this past academic year, consultants from the AI Competency Centre have delivered a series of evening sessions at Kellogg College covering topics including building confidence in AI, neural networks, generative AI for teaching and research, how large language models understand text and meaning, and practical ways to use AI tools for learning and strategic thinking.  

The collaboration has also extended beyond lectures. Members of the team have supported training for Kellogg students through Oxford Lifelong Learning, while a new Data Community of Practice for colleges was launched in May. Xavier also played a key role in helping organise Kellogg’s Bletchley Park Week, contributing to what became the College’s most extensive and well-attended programme to date, including sessions featuring Sir Dermot Turing and Sir Nigel Shadbolt. 

Together, the AI Competency Centre and Kellogg College have explored both the technical development of AI and the practical skills needed to engage with it responsibly and confidently. 

The partnership continues this term with upcoming lectures exploring AI in the context of accessibility and sustainability The collaboration will also extend through the upcoming AI Exploration Week at Kellogg College in July, with further activity planned for the next academic year. 

Register now to attend:  

• Powering Intelligence: AI and the Drive for Sustainability on 10 June at Kellogg College.
• A range of events during AI Exploration Week, organised by the AI Competency Centre and open to all University staff.
• A comedy night with Sharath Jeevan, as he turns his humour towards musings about how AI is transforming work, education, creativity and human relationships at extraordinary speed.