Inside UC’s AI push: From classroom tutors to BearcatGPT, Cincinnati goes all-in on AI
The University of Cincinnati is taking a major step toward becoming an “AI-ready” campus. Through a collection of coordinated efforts called Bearcats AI Ready!, UC is embedding artificial intelligence across academics, research, and operations to prepare students, faculty, and staff for an AI-powered future.
Why it matters
As AI reshapes higher education and the workplace, universities are under pressure to teach both technical fluency and ethical responsibility. UC’s initiative aims to position Cincinnati among the nation’s leaders in responsible AI deployment—preparing thousands of students for the rapidly evolving digital economy.
“Our goal is to transform UC from ‘AI-fluent’ to truly ‘AI-ready,’” said UC Vice President & Chief Digital Officer Bharath Prabhakaran. “Our Bearcats AI Ready! initiatives support responsible, innovative AI adoption across the institution that will help accelerate UC’s efforts to enhance student success and streamline university processes.”
The details
New AI Hub: UC launched a centralized AI at UC website as a resource hub for governance, training modules, and supported tools (BearcatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Adobe Firefly). It will also spotlight campus “AI Champions,” including faculty leaders such as Dr. Kelly Cohen, the Brian H. Rowe Endowed Chair in Aerospace Engineering.
AI Fluency Framework: UC’s four-tier Bearcats AI Ready Fluency Framework begins with Tier 1: AI Essentials, a self-paced module covering core concepts, responsible use, and university-supported platforms. Future tiers include applied workshops with Microsoft and partners, deep dives on Responsible AI and ethical decision-making, and technical certifications, labs, and sprint weeks.
BearcatGPT Expansion: BearcatGPT began as a Microsoft Azure OpenAI pilot, offering a private, secure environment for generative AI in teaching, learning, research, and administration (including models such as GPT-4.x and GPT-5, plus DALL-E for text-to-image). As it moves from pilot to enterprise in the coming weeks, access will extend to all UC students, faculty, and staff via BearcatGPT.uc.edu, with governed API capabilities and departmental/custom GPT agents—within UC’s Azure environment and data-governance standards.
AI-Driven Socratic Tutors: Launching mid-November and co-led by Dr. Valentine Johns with DTS, AI-powered Socratic Tutors will debut across 10 high-impact math and statistics courses. Rather than giving answers, the tutors use structured questions to build critical thinking and problem-solving.
Operational AI Use Cases: DTS is advancing additional AI projects, including:
Credential certification with Enrollment Management.
Synthesizing student feedback with the College of Engineering & Applied Science.
Accounts payable invoice processing with Administration & Finance.
DTS will continue to assess additional AI tools and platforms for UC students, faculty, and staff.
The big picture
UC’s program ties innovation to governance, aiming to scale AI responsibly across a large public research institution. The strategy signals a broader institutional goal: ensuring every Bearcat can confidently engage with, apply, and help shape the use of AI across disciplines.