OpenAI Day - Spring 2025

SDSU faculty members attentively participate in Faculty Champions Training, exploring AI tools and personalized instruction strategies during OpenAI Day.Open the image full screen.
Faculty actively engage in practical training to build customized GPTs during SDSU's OpenAI event.

SDSU OpenAI Day on April 10 highlighted artificial intelligence's potential in higher education. Organized by SDSU's Instructional Technology Services and OpenAI, the event attracted 265 faculty, students, researchers, and IT professionals across five interactive sessions, each reaching capacity through targeted outreach via campus channels.

Siya Raj Purohit presents to an actively participating audience at SDSU's AI in the Classroom roundtable, discussing educational uses of ChatGPT.Open the image full screen.
Siya Raj Purohit from OpenAI engages faculty in discussions about AI-driven personalized instruction at SDSU.

Faculty showed particular enthusiasm for sessions such as the AI in the Classroom roundtable and Faculty Champions Training, where discussions focused on leveraging AI for personalized instruction, streamlined feedback, and enhanced productivity. These trainings also provided practical experience in creating customized GPTs, empowering faculty leaders to drive wider adoption across campus.

Michael Farley presents to faculty and staff about AI research resources during a Fowler College event.Open the image full screen.
SDSU Chief Technology Research Officer Michael Farley discusses AI integration opportunities at the Fowler College Brown Bag lunch session.

A "Brown Bag" lunch session with the Fowler College of Business facilitated valuable discussions on AI's role in academic research, highlighting both exciting opportunities and significant considerations for integration. The OpenAI team shared information about creating custom GPTs to aid in research analysis and administration, while colleagues from the IT Division and Fowler College of Business shared existing internal research resources and funding opportunities.

Group photo of diverse SDSU students and presenters gathered after the engaging "AI Isn’t the Future—You Are" session during SDSU's OpenAI Day event.Open the image full screen.
Students enthusiastically explore AI's role in learning, careers, and leadership at SDSU OpenAI Day.

Student engagement peaked during the session titled "AI Isn’t the Future—You Are," which explored AI's impact on learning, career paths, and leadership development. Student attendees spanned disciplines and program across campus, including both undergraduate and graduate students, who collectively expressed a strong interest in engaging with generative AI resources, as well as a nuanced understanding of the related ethical considerations.

Keelan Schule presents GPT workflows and API integration details to a group of engaged IT professionals during SDSU's technical deep dive session.Open the image full screen.
Keelan Schule from OpenAI leads a technical deep dive on GPT workflows for SDSU IT professionals.

The Technical Deep Dive concluded the day, engaging IT professionals and technical staff in detailed exploration of GPT workflows and API integrations. Participants examined practical implementations for learning management systems and advising platforms, laying groundwork for future enhancements.

The day's events reinforced SDSU’s role as an AI-empowered institution, sparking cross-departmental collaboration and setting the stage for continued innovation and development. SDSU plans to sustain this momentum with expanded access to AI resources, ongoing experimentation.

Group photo of SDSU OpenAI Day organizers and presenters standing together outdoors, celebrating a successful day of AI-focused sessions and workshops.Open the image full screen.
OpenAI 2025 Organizers and Presenters: Dr. Elisa Sobo, Keelan Schule, Dr. Frances Nedjat-Haiem, Dr. James Frazee, Dr. David Goldberg, Siya Raj Purohit, Dr. Sean Hauze.

OpenAI Day Resources

SDSU OpenAI Day on April 10 highlighted artificial intelligence's potential in higher education. The OpenAI team shared the following slides during these sessions: