On May 19, 2025, the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning (CTRL) will host the “Faculty Institute on Artificial Intelligence in Teaching & Research” at American University. The daylong event, open to AU faculty and staff, will explore how generative AI is reshaping teaching, research, and assessment across disciplines.

As part of the program, Internet Governance Lab (IGL) Co-Director Dr. Derrick Cogburn—Professor in the School of International Service and Kogod School of Business, and CTRL AI Faculty Fellow—will lead a hands-on session titled “Using RAG-AI Applications for Research.” This session will focus on a class of generative AI tools known as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG-AI), which allow users to build custom, trusted document sets that enhance the accuracy and relevance of LLM responses.

Participants will be introduced to tools such as NotebookLM, AI Studio, and LearnLM, and will have the opportunity to explore their potential through guided exercises. Designed for users at all levels of AI familiarity, Dr. Cogburn’s session will offer practical strategies for incorporating RAG-AI into research workflows and academic practice.

Click here to view all workshops and register.