Seneca Polytechnic
Generative AI adoption, 2024 to 2026
Role AI Thought Leader at Seneca, co-lead with Kent Peel.
One of Canada's largest polytechnics wanted faculty, staff and students using generative AI in their actual work, with policy and practice moving together.
Co-led with Kent Peel, Seneca's other AI Thought Leader. A Viable System Model session located the missing piece at System 4, and we designed the AI Lab to fill it.
The AI Lab, from the case to the Senior Executive Committee to opening day, and a community of practice of hundreds of colleagues.
What each system does
- S5
- Knowing who we areThe shared identity and values that hold everything together and settle the pull between today and tomorrow.
The Generative AI Policy, and input to the AI Governance Charter
- S4
- Looking outward and aheadWatching the world, preparing for the future, and keeping a clear picture of ourselves.AI Lab
Training, consultation and early prototyping
- S3
- Making the whole work togetherGetting more from the parts together than they would get alone, and agreeing who gets which resources.
A simple way to approve new AI tools, and everyday guidance
- S2
- Keeping the parts in stepThe schedules and shared rules that stop units from clashing with each other.
A community of practice of hundreds of colleagues
- S1
- Doing the workThe schools, programs and services that actually deliver for students.
Hands-on workshops and dozens of consultations
Operations, coordination, control and policy came first. Nothing was yet looking outside and ahead. The AI Lab became System 4, the part of Seneca that looks outward and ahead.
Viable System Model after Stafford Beer. Figures as published on askright.ai/seneca, from the Seneca AI Work Retrospective, October 2026.
Hundreds
colleagues in the AI community of practice
4.6out of 5
average rating for the hands-on workshops
21
course sections running MyTutor within five months
80+
employees in one institution-wide session