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AI Discovery Day draws more than 300 people for a day of practical, responsible AI conversations
Mat Thijssen, Waterloo's Director of Sustainability, discusses the environmental cost of the AI buildout.
A message from IST.
More than 300 members of the campus community gathered at the Science Teaching Complex on October 14 for the second AI Discovery Day at the University of Waterloo. The event brought colleagues together to share practical experiences, emerging ideas, and responsible approaches to AI in teaching, research, and administrative work.
The morning opened with two keynotes. Mat Thijssen, Waterloo's Director of Sustainability, looked at the environmental cost of the AI buildout, including the water used to cool data centres, the demand for chips, copper, and other materials, and electricity use that is growing faster than grids can keep up with. He asked whether it must be this way and laid out what the campus community can do about it, from using AI more intentionally as individuals to how Waterloo approaches procurement, research, entrepreneurship, and partnerships.
Rebecca Sherlock, a PhD candidate and researcher with Waterloo's Critical Media Lab, shared how the lab uses critical design to build responsible innovation into the way technology gets made, and why that responsibility belongs to everyone who builds or uses these tools.
Thijssen and Sherlock were then joined by Kate Mercer for a panel discussion moderated by Pavol Chvala, Director, AI Innovation and Systems Development in Information Systems & Technology (IST).
"Striking the right balance between responsibility and innovation isn't easy, but every conversation I had during the day made it clear how much our campus cares about getting that balance right," said Chvala. "This isn't a solved problem, and it's through open community conversations like these that we'll make progress as an institution."
In the afternoon, the program split into two rooms. The Teaching and Learning stream featured an AI-based virtual standardized patient for pharmacy education, a workshop on rethinking first-year programming when every student has access to a coding agent, and sessions on what students and co-op students are saying about AI. The AI in Practice, Responsibility and Future stream included a simple framework for assessing AI use cases at Waterloo, Co-operative and Experiential Education's (CEE) grassroots approach to AI readiness, an introduction to the Waterloo Region AI Coalition, and practical guidance on choosing the right Copilot tool for the job.
The day was made possible by a team of volunteers from across campus, along with the many presenters who shared their work.
Whether you attended AI Discovery Day or couldn’t make it, the organizers would like to hear from you. Your feedback will help shape future events, and the short survey takes about three to five minutes.
For resources on using AI at Waterloo, including approved tools and guidance for students, faculty, and staff, visit the Generative AI website.
Celebrating the Class of 2026 and a new chapter for Waterloo
This is an excerpt from an article that was originally featured on Waterloo News.
Across five ceremonies held this past weekend, graduates from all six faculties crossed the convocation stage and officially joined Waterloo’s global alumni community. Thousands of students, families, friends, faculty and staff took part in the ceremonies.
In total, Waterloo conferred 174 PhD degrees, 1,085 master’s degrees and 1,465 undergraduate degrees. The Class of 2026 joins a global network of more than 270,000 Waterloo alumni living and working in more than 150 countries around the world. Since its founding in 1957, the University has conferred more than 263,000 degrees and certificates.
This year’s convocation ceremonies also marked a significant moment in the University’s history. The celebrations included the official installation of Dr. Bill Rosehard (BASc '96, MASc '97, PhD '01) as Waterloo’s eighth President and Vice-Chancellor for a five-year term that began July 1, 2026.
A three-time Waterloo alumnus, Rosehart understands the importance of convocation.
“Convocation is a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and the communities that supported them along the way,” he says. "A Waterloo degree represents not only academic achievement, but also resilience, curiosity and a commitment to making a difference. I am proud to welcome the Class of 2026 into our global alumni community and look forward to the impact they will have on the world."
The President made a point of joining the graduates backstage, prior to the academic procession, to offer words of encouragement and remind them to "take it (the festivities) all in, they deserve it." In the case of the Faculty of Arts, he was joined by the presidents from each of Waterloo’s affiliated colleges who also passed along their congratulations.
New AI and Teaching website launches for Waterloo instructors
A message on behalf of the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic, Martin Cooke.
Waterloo instructors now have a central place to find practical guidance, resources, and examples to help them consider how generative AI (GenAI) might fit within their teaching practice.
The AI and Teaching website is one of the key outputs of the University of Waterloo’s GenAI Teaching Enablement Project, launched last March by the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic (AVPA). The site brings together practical, teaching-focused AI resources to help instructors make informed decisions about whether and how to use AI in their courses. The resources emphasize intentional and responsible use and align with Waterloo’s Principles for Teaching with AI, which are mapped to the institution wide Principles for use of AI (provisional).
The website offers guidance on getting started with AI, designing courses and curricula, assessing learning, teaching students about AI, and exploring examples of emerging practices. Instructors can also find information about available centrally supported tools and services, institutional policies, and privacy and security considerations on the website.
Developed by a cross-functional working group from Teaching Support and Innovation (TSI) and Instructional Technologies and Media Services (ITMS), the resource reflects contributions and feedback from Teaching Fellows and the GenAI Teaching Enablement Steering Committee. Examples of how instructors are using AI in their learning environments are central to the site, which will continue to evolve along with teaching practices, institutional guidance, and the broader AI landscape.
Supporting responsible AI use in teaching
The website builds on work underway through the GenAI Teaching Enablement Project. Since the project launched, the University has established governance structures, including a steering committee representing all six faculties, supported the development of teaching-aligned institutional AI principles and guidance, held faculty consultations, launched a Teaching and Learning AI Fellowship Program, and developed an evaluation framework.
The AI and Teaching website brings many of these resources together in an accessible, practical format to support instructors as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI in teaching and learning.
Explore the AI and Teaching website to discover resources and examples relevant to your teaching context.
For additional teaching support, please visit the Teaching Support and Innovation temporary landing page. Specific questions about teaching support can be emailed to the TSI support team at teachingsupport@uwaterloo.ca.
Calling all vendors: Winterfest Artisan Market
The UWaterloo Staff Association and W Store are teaming up for the Winterfest Artisan Market on November 19, and we’re looking for vendors from our very own University of Waterloo community!
Are you a staff member, faculty member, alumnus, retiree, or student with a business, creative side hustle, or unique products to share? This is your chance to showcase what you do, connect with fellow Warriors, and be part of a festive campus celebration.
From handmade goods and unique gifts to seasonal treats and more, we’d love to hear what you have to offer!
Interested in becoming a vendor? We invite eligible members of the UWaterloo community to express their interest and join us in making the Artisan Market a memorable event. The Market will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 10:30 am - 6:30 pm in South Campus Hall.
Submit your application by Thursday, October 29 and check out the Market Vendor Application for more information.
When and Where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
The Fall 2026 Student Experience Survey (SES) is now open. Please check your @uwaterloo email or visit LEARN to see if you have been invited. Those that submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. The survey is open until Nov. 6.
Introduction to Crochet, Wednesday, October 21, noon to 1:00 p.m. (class is held over two weeks). It will also be held on Monday, November 2, 5 to 7 p.m. Location will be sent at registration. Note: This workshop costs $25.
Honk! Spot the scam: Cyber Awareness Month information booth, Tuesday, Oct 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Student Life Centre (SLC)
Zotero is our friend, and it can be your friend too, Tuesday, October 27, 1 to 3 p.m., LIB 329
From Side Chains to Solid-State Properties: Molecular Design and Accelerated Discovery of Semiconducting Polymers for Organic Electronics, Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 p.m., C2-361
Queer & Cozy, Tuesday, October 27, 7. to 8 p.m., REN 1401 (Link Inclusion Lounge)
Generative AI for Research: Responsible Use, Wednesday, October 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m., LIB 329
Data Journeys: Tears, Tabs, and Terrible File Names, a survivor's guide to organizing your data, Wednesday, October 28, 11 a.m. to noon., Online
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, October 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., SLC Marketplace, PSE 1st floor, and EV3
Center for Nanointegration Duisberg-Essen (CENIDE) and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) Seminar Series on 2D-MATURE: "A Journey from Fundamental Science to Technological Application", featuring Thomas Szkopek, McGill University, Electrical Engineering, Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., QNC 1501
Zotero is our friend, and it can be your friend too, Thursday, October 29, 1 to 3 p.m., LIB 329
Farvolden Day 2026, Thursday, October 29, 1:30 to 6 p.m., Federation Hall. Register today!
James Vukelich: The Seven Grandfather Teachings and the Seven Generations, Thursday, October 29, 6 to 8 p.m., LHI 1621
AI: Opportunity, Risk and Choices Ahead, Thursday, October 29 from 7 to 9 p.m., Centre for International Governance Innovation
Halloween Haunt: The Canvas breach (Shadow IT), Friday, Oct 30, 9 to 10 a.m., virtual
Warriors Volleyball vs. Nipissing – Friday, October 30, 6 p.m. (Women) / 7:30 p.m. (Men) (Carl Totzke Court, PAC) - Home Opener, Camps and Minor Leagues Day, Employee Night. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for coupon code. Buy your tickets today!
Risk, Resilience, and Climate Change - from Power Systems to Communities: Seminar with Seth Guikema, Friday, October 30, noon to 1:30 p.m., PSE Faculty Hall
Chinese Student Hangout, Friday, October 30, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., REN 1400 (Dunker Family Lounge)
Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) Industry Seminar Series: "Positive Electrode Materials and Electrode Architecture for Lithium-Ion Batteries" Featuring Yoshinari Makimura, Monday November 2, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., QNC 1501
Blockchain Innovation Challenge powered by Stellar, Monday, November 2, 4 to 6 p.m., Black & Gold Room, SLC
Generative AI for Research: Finding Literature, Tuesday, November 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m., LIB 329.
WICI Talk: Terry Stewart, Energy Efficient AI, Tuesday, November 3, 2 to 4 p.m., RCH 209
Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Systematic Search Methods, Tuesday, November 3, 1 to 3 p.m., online.
SCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, Tuesday, November 3, 3 to 5 p.m., Dana Porter Library, First Floor.
Take Our Kids to Work Day 2026, Wednesday, November 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., STC
Warriors Men's Hockey vs. Laurier– Wednesday, November 4, 7 p.m. (CIF Arena). Battle of Waterloo. Buy your tickets today!
Anti-Racism Reads: Alt-Right From 4Chan to the White House, Thursday, November 5, 12 to 1 p.m., LIB 338
Safeguarding Science Webinar: Module 6 - Travelling Safely: Protecting Your Research While Travelling Abroad (English) - Thursday, November 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Fall 2026 EH Slow Reading Group, Thursday, November 5, Thursday, November 19, and Thursday, December 3 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Hagey Hall 335
Queer Space and Trans Life: A Book Talk with Dr. Eden Kinkaid, Thursday, November 5, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
2026 National Bank Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Championship, presented by Farm Mutual Re– Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8 (Warrior Field). Buy your tickets today!
Collaborative Water Program Student Information Session, Friday, November 6, 10-11am, STC 2002.
Warriors Basketball vs. Carleton– Friday, November 6, 6 p.m. (Women) / 8 p.m. (Men) (Carl Totzke Court, PAC). Home Opener, Camps and Minor Leagues Day. Buy your tickets today!
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: "A Chip Odyssey", Monday, November 9, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs
Virtual Reality in the Classroom: An Introduction for Instructors - In Person (TII5020), Wednesday, November 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., LIB 329 (Tech Sandbox)
Where is the Peace Tech? Enabling Encounters Between Peacebuilders and Technologists, Friday, November 13, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Humanities Theatre
Understanding Policy: Staff Leaves and Vacation, Monday, November 16, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Crochet 2.0: Introduction to Amigurumi, Monday, November 16, 5 to 7 p.m., Location sent at registration. There is a $15 cost for this workshop.
Upcoming service interruptions
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