The 99 AI Challenge: Empowering a University Community through an Open Learning Pilot

While AI has entered the mainstream discourse in the past decade, teaching and research focusing on artificial intelligence are not new to the University of Toronto (U of T). As the home of the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the “godfather of deep learning,” Geoffrey Hinton, U of T, and the city of Toronto have a rich history in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and have become a hub for AI research.1  However, many faculty, staff, and students are still in the dark about what AI is, how it works, and what implications it might have on their lives. While many departments at U of T offer AI courses and events, they are often aimed at those already engaged in this area of research or study who have a technical understanding of AI.