In July, Técnico launched a new training programme aimed at equipping faculty members with artificial intelligence tools to modernise teaching practices. The programme was developed by the School's Pedagogical Council (CP) and Academic Development Office (NDA), and is led by Sérgio Pequito, Vice-President for Research, Development and External Relations of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC) and recipient of the 2026 José Tribolet Award for Digital Innovation in Teaching.

During the training sessions, participants explored topics such as the creation of virtual tutors tailored to the needs of individual students. These tutors can answer questions in real time, providing support during independent study.

Sérgio Pequito also introduced tools such as NotebookLM, a language model that enables users to analyse documents and generate materials based on them, including presentations, summaries, quizzes, alternative explanations, and audio content.

On the assessment side, he presented Gradescope, a platform designed to digitise assessment workflows and optimise resources. The platform enables the grading of assignments, tests and exams while significantly reducing the time required to deliver results.

The main goal is to improve productivity—not by doing more, but by slowing down a little and focusing on what truly matters in teaching, while also improving teachers' mental well-being."

Sérgio Pequito, Vice-President for Research, Development and External Relations, DEEC

"The amount of knowledge available is growing at an incredible pace, and we have never had such easy access to it before. These tools make that access possible; they are like having a vast library, but you still need to know how to begin your search," he explains. He adds that these technologies are "a tool like any other," and that it is essential to know how to use them effectively.

The programme will conclude with a public showcase of the materials developed by participants throughout the training sessions, to be held in early September. The resources, which will be used during the 2026/27 academic year, will be presented so that "the results can reach more colleagues and demonstrate their value across different disciplines," explains Sérgio Pequito.

The initiative also includes an online course hosted on Técnico's Partners/openedX platform, where all faculty members and researchers will be able to access the training materials asynchronously, further extending the programme's impact and accessibility.

News and photographs: Técnico