Artificial Intelligence Resource Centre (AIRC) - AI at Western

About the AIRC

The Artificial Intelligence Resource Centre (AIRC), part of Western Technology Services (WTS), is a hub for all things AI at Western. By connecting our campus community to clear guidance, practical resources, and opportunities to learn, we support structured, responsible AI adoption across the university. Through training, consultation, and collaboration with campus partners, we help faculty and staff implement AI tools and solutions that meet the needs of teaching, learning, research, and administration.

AIRC Vision and Mission

Mission: To move Western from informal AI experimentation to structured, institution-wide adoption — building the literacy, practical support, and responsible guidance that empower our community to use AI with confidence.

Vision: A Western where AI seamlessly empowers discovery, research, learning, and operational effectiveness for all.

Our Guiding Principles

The AIRC delivers on its mission through a "Students as Partners" model—student consultants working directly with faculty and staff across campus. This approach grounds AI adoption in practical application, scales support across the institution and invests in the next generation of AI-literate professionals.

Our work is guided by three principles:

Literacy First: Responsible adoption starts with shared understanding. We build institution-wide awareness—what AI can do, its limitations, and how to use it effectively—as the foundation for everything that follows.
Partnership Over Prescription: Adoption happens through collaboration, not mandates. We co-create solutions with Western's community, ensuring what we build is practical, accessible, and grounded in real needs.
Responsibility by Design: Trust enables progress. We embed ethical use of AI, privacy, and security into every engagement, building the institutional confidence necessary for AI to scale.

Our Scope

The AIRC is here to help Western move from AI awareness to AI literacy. These awareness resources are available to all members* of the Western community.

structured programming (workshops, drop-in sessions, and events)
self-serve resources (guides, videos, and reference materials)
connection to resources on campus through campus partners

Faculty and staff are also able to participate in:

peer-to-peer learning through the AI Champions and/or the AI Community of Practice.

The AIRC also supports faculty and staff with consultation and advisory services.

Consultation:

The AIRC can help to identify where AI can meaningfully improve workﬂows, reduce manual eﬀort, or enhance outcomes. We can help you move from idea to implementation. Learn more about starting a project here.

Advisory:

The AIRC can help faculty and staff units understand applicable policies, evaluate tools against Western's framework, and help users make informed decisions about AI adoption in their speciﬁc context.

*please note that some events or resources will be available for specific groups, ie. faculty and staff.