AI Research Challenge

As a Christian university committed to excellence and innovation, we at Liberty University believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a transformative role in enhancing our educational and administrative processes. As a result, Liberty is launching a new initiative to harness the power of AI to enrich our classroom and work environments.

Program Overview

All residential faculty members (full and part-time) are invited to participate in our LU AI Research Challenge. Through this initiative, we will gather creative and practical ideas on how AI can improve teaching methods and streamline administrative tasks. We also want your concepts on how it can support our mission of developing Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.

If your idea is selected for the new initiative, you will receive a license to use Microsoft 365 Copilot. This version of Copilot is advanced and offers a more secure experience than free options, as it is not used to train other open AI tools.

While the applications for AI are numerous, we will focus on:

• Classroom Innovation
• Administrative Efficiency
• Student Support

Application Process

Evaluation and Selection

A committee will review all submissions and select the most promising ideas for further development. Selected proposals will receive:

• Microsoft 365 Copilot License
• IT support for discussion/implementation
• Access to AI tools and training resources

Think creatively and consider how AI can help us better serve our students and community. Together, we can explore new frontiers in education and administration, guided by our faith and commitment to excellence.

Tutorials and Trainings

Virtual Microsoft Workshop Sessions

Watch recordings of the below workshops here.

• M365 Copilot; Speaker: Dewayne Hyatt
  The M365 Copilot workshop is to provide a comprehensive overview of the core features and capabilities of Copilot and how it can enhance productivity.
• Public Roadmap Regarding Usage for Faculty; Speaker: Samantha FisherThis workshop expands on the M365 Copilot session.  It will explain what is on the feature roadmap for M365 CoPilot that will directly pertain to how you as faculty/staff use the product.
• Nebula One; Speaker: Cloudforce
  Nebula One, free to higher education faculty and staff, is a tool created by a Microsoft Partner that helps with prompting and automation.
• Copilot Studio; Speaker: Nick Miller (Presentation Slides)
  Copilot Studio is the next level of CoPilot/AI automation with a user-friendly platform. It allows you to create and customize your OWN AI-powered assistants (copilots) without needing extensive technical skills.