Artificial Intelligence Consulting
Overview
OSI helps UC San Diego departments explore and apply AI through targeted training, workshops, and strategic guidance.
We guide teams from idea to implementation, with a focus on practical, campus-aligned use cases. Our approach emphasizes safe, effective, and values-aligned integration into daily operations. The result is real, measurable impact from AI adoption across campus functions.
What We Offer
We help departments across UC San Diego explore, evaluate, and implement AI solutions that improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and enhance decision-making.
AI Use Case Development
We evaluate AI ideas by analyzing feasibility, ROI, and requirements—then prepare use cases and facilitate leadership approval for development with IT Services.
AI Project Facilitation
We support AI project development and lead organizational change efforts, coordinating with departments and ITS to ensure smooth, responsible implementation aligned with UC San Diego standards.
AI Training Modules
Self-paced online courses that teach AI fundamentals, automation, LLMs, and TritonGPT, helping staff build literacy and engage confidently in AI initiatives.
Custom AI Workshops
Customized hands-on sessions tailored to real team workflows, exploring how AI tools can streamline tasks, boost efficiency, and unlock new capabilities.
What to Expect
Foundational Understanding
Through webinars and online modules, staff gain a baseline understanding of AI concepts, terminology, and safe application within the UC San Diego context.
Practical, Role-Based Workshops
Our custom AI workshops are interactive, tailored sessions that connect AI tools like TritonGPT directly to your team’s everyday tasks and workflows.
Responsible Implementation
Even without building tools, OSI offers consultative support to help teams adopt AI responsibly and be aligned with UC San Diego’s values.
Meet our AI Directors
Emily Cowley
As the Director of AI Engagement within OSI, Emily helps UC San Diego move through the rapid change of AI with confidence and care. Her focus is on the human side of AI adoption: ensuring people feel informed, included, and supported as the landscape shifts, no matter where they are in their AI journey. Emily serves as a connector across campus, bridging IT-driven efforts and the everyday realities of faculty, staff, and students. She also brings visibility to the many AI initiatives and communities already thriving at UC San Diego—helping reduce silos, amplify great work, and strengthen a shared sense of momentum and possibility around AI.
Zachary Johnson
As the Director of AI Strategy within OSI, Zach helps UC San Diego navigate the structural transformation of AI with clarity and foresight. His focus is on the institutional side of AI adoption: ensuring systems are robust and scalable as the technology evolves, no matter the complexity of the challenge. Zach serves as an architect across the system, bridging high-level university mandates and the realities of research, teaching and learning, and administration. He also brings coherence to the university’s diverse AI investments—helping align resources and establish a foundation of readiness and resilience for the future.
Project Spotlight - AI-Powered Compliance Made Simpler
The Challenge and Our Approach
UC San Diego’s compliance processes for GASB had become increasingly complex and manual, requiring extensive time to identify eligible contracts, extract key terms, and reconcile data across systems.
OSI partnered with key stakeholders across departments to assess existing workflows and uncover automation opportunities. We facilitated cross-functional planning sessions to clarify roles, align systems, and design streamlined processes. Our team explored the use of AI-assisted contract analysis and automated data syncing between external workplace management systems and UC Office of the President systems to reduce future manual workload.
Ready for the Next Step?
Ready to explore AI for your department? Connect with us to discuss ideas or access training tailored to your team’s needs.