UCR's NotebookLM Implementation on KTLA 5

ilseu — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:16:53 +0000

UCR's NotebookLM Implementation on KTLA 5 ilseu Wed, 04/30/2025 - 14:16 More News Alexandra Chrystal | UCR ITS April 30, 2025

UC Riverside’s innovative spirit and strategic investments in technology took center stage this week as KTLA 5's tech reporter, Rich DeMuro, visited our campus to learn how our faculty and students are applying Google’s NotebookLM to academic work. DeMuro interviewed Rich Yueh, assistant professor of teaching in information systems, and several undergraduate Business students in the state-of-the-art computer lab located within the university's new School of Business building. The segment focused on their experiences using Google's NotebookLM to enhance academic work.

Dr. Yueh, who also advises the UCR student chapter of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), demonstrated how NotebookLM can analyze course materials and automatically generate study aids like text summaries and podcasts produced from the notebook’s source documents. This practical application of AI underscores UCR's commitment to exploring and implementing cutting-edge technologies to benefit its students.

KTLA Reporter Rich DeMuro interviewing business administration student Jessica Covarrubias

UCR's strategic investment in enterprise solutions like Google's Cloud Platform and its AI offerings, including NotebookLM, reflects a broader vision within the university's central IT leadership.

“We're focused on providing cutting-edge tools like NotebookLM to enhance teaching and learning, while simultaneously exploring AI's potential to streamline administrative processes and drive innovation across the university,” said Chief Information Officer Matthew Gunkel. “Our goal is to equip our students, faculty, and staff with the resources they need to excel in an increasingly AI-driven world, ensuring UCR remains at the forefront of academic and research excellence.”

ITS recognizes the potential of AI tools to provide significant value not only to students in their academic pursuits but also to researchers driving innovation and addressing critical global challenges. This has led to collaborative efforts with staff and faculty, including Professor Yueh, to identify and implement effective ways to leverage these technologies for enhanced teaching and learning.

“When I look at AI’s role in higher education, I see it as augmented intelligence—technology used intentionally to deepen learning and sharpen thinking. I teach students to ask the right questions, not just push buttons. When AI is everywhere, curiosity, critical thinking, and human insight become the real competitive edge, positioning students to thrive and lead in an AI-forward future,” said Yueh.

The recent KTLA interview was a result of a partnership between ITS, the School of Business, and Google, which recommended UCR as an exemplary use case for NotebookLM in a university setting. Special recognition goes to Dr. Rich Yueh for showcasing his innovative application of the tool in his Information Systems courses and for inviting his students to share their firsthand experiences.

The news segment–which aired on KTLA 5 on Wednesday morning–offers a glimpse into how UCR is embracing technological advancements to empower its students and faculty. Reporter Rich DeMuro’s news article on UCR’s use of NotebookLM can also be viewed on the KTLA 5 website.

Professor Rich Yueh (center) with students from his course using Google's NotebookLM

NotebookLM KTLA 5 Feature participants (from left to right): Justin Lamy, undergraduate business student (information systems), chairman of the AIS student organization, captain of UCR men's tennis team | Jason Wang, undergraduate business student (finance) | Dr. Rich Yueh, UCR assistant professor of teaching in information systems | Lance Santana, undergraduate business student (information systems), student instructor for a one-credit R'Course on using AI | Jessica Covarrubias (seated), undergraduate business student (management). | Gina Huang (standing) , undergraduate business student (business analytics), marketing specialist in the AIS student organization.

UCR Professor Creates AI Resource Group on Campus

ilseu — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 23:49:08 +0000

UCR Professor Creates AI Resource Group on Campus ilseu Wed, 12/06/2023 - 15:49 More Blog Posts Imran Ghori | Inside UCR December 06, 2023

Navigating the new world of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, can be difficult for the average user. Figuring out how to best use those tools in a university setting poses even more questions.

A new Slack workspace offers UC Riverside instructors and staff members a forum to come to together to answer those questions.

Rich Yueh

Rich Yueh, an assistant professor of teaching in information systems at the School of Business, created the discussion workspace after hearing many of his colleagues raise questions about AI tools like ChatGPT.

“A lot of faculty were saying ‘We need a place to discuss with other faculty members how can we can we use AI in the classroom, where do we go for help,’” he said.

Launched this fall, the UCR AI Forum has a small group of participants — including representatives from Information Technology Solutions and the Exploration Center for Innovative Teaching and Engagement, or XCITE — but they hope more faculty and staff members will begin to use the platform.

Yueh said the forum aims to be a place where anyone on campus can learn about, discuss, and collaborate on all aspects of AI usage and research. Participants can discuss its best use, ask questions, or seek practical help on how to perform a specific task.

He’s personally found the forum helpful in a number of ways from postings by one user on the latest government news regarding AI to connecting with other partners on a project called Notebook LM, which allows users to create notes using AI for research and learning purposes.

Reactions to the use of AI range from early adopters who are actively using it to skeptics who don’t want anything to do with it, Yueh said. But he sees its use as inevitable in higher education and that it’s better to be prepared.

He noted that companies like Microsoft and Google in a few years will likely incorporate AI technology in products like Word or Google Docs.

“It’s coming one way or the other, so for a community like our campus it’s certainly something that’s going to become part of our daily lives,” Yueh said. “This helps people to navigate how to use it and prepare for it.”

Yueh began trying out AI tools last fall when they became publicly available and soon began incorporating them into his classes. He said he’s always looking for how new technology can be used in education and felt if he doesn’t allow his students to use the most advanced tools he’s doing them a disservice.

“One thing I say is AI will not take a person’s job, the person who knows how to use AI will take the job,” he said, responding to fears some voice that the technology will phase out certain professions.

The forum is open to any member of campus through their UCR Slack account. There are separate channels for faculty, staff, and students. Those interested can join at this link.

Sonal Agrawal, a second-year MBA student, is overseeing campus outreach, inviting departments, faculty members, and teaching assistants to join the workspace. As part of that outreach, Yueh or one of his research students offer a demonstration on how AI can be helpful in a user’s field. They also plan to organize workshops, seminars, and other outreach programs to education students and teaching assistants on the use of AI technology.

Part of their message will be how students can use it to enhance their learning and not for cheating, said Agrawal, who spent seven years working in the tech industry.

“We cannot stop students from using it, but we can explain an ethical way of doing it in an optimized way without destroying their critical thinking,” she said.

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Cover illustration by Getty Images