About

Mission | People | Activities | Origin | FAQs

Mission


The Artificial Intelligence Development Accelerator for Academic and Administrative Excellence (AIDA) is designed to catalyze the development, adoption, and governance of artificial intelligence at Boston University and foster a comprehensive and coordinated approach to integrating AI across all facets of the University’s mission. AIDA is dedicated to advancing AI literacy and competence among students, faculty, and staff leading to academic and administrative excellence and efficiency through the strategic use of AI technologies.

People


The success of AIDA relies on visionary leadership and expert guidance. At the forefront of this effort are faculty, researchers, and administrators who bring deep expertise in AI, computing, and institutional strategy. Their insights and dedication ensure that our approach to AI is innovative, responsible, and impactful.

Activities

Since our launch in April 2025, AIDA has:

  1. Launched TerrierGPT to provide free access to leading AI foundation models for the BU community.
  2. Run an ongoing set of faculty symposia on sharing best-practices of AI in education.
  3. Provided guidelines for faculty and student use of Generative AI, along with video resources for faculty and staff to make effective use of GenAI.

Origin

AIDA grew out of a cross-disciplinary effort in 2023 to develop policies and guidance on generative AI in academia, led by then Interim Provost Kenneth Lutchen. Two task forces—one on administration and one on teaching and research—brought together experts to assess AI initiatives, recommend policies, and compile positive use cases. Their findings stressed the need for BU to critically embrace AI to fulfill its educational mission and set up students to live and lead in an interconnected world.

 

Last updated: 10/24/2025.