đź‘‹ Welcome to the LIDE Hub
The Learning Innovation & Digital Engagement (LIDE) Hub is your gateway to all things digital learning at Westminster.
Explore essential information for students and colleagues, discover our latest teaching and AI initiatives, and access practical guides covering the full range of digital tools – from Blackboard and Panopto to assessment, accessibility, and classroom technologies.
Whether you’re teaching, supporting, or learning, this is your central space for confident, connected, and innovative digital engagement.
🤖 AI Assistants at Westminster
Over the summer, the University has been working with an external company to develop AI Assistants for specific purposes. These AI Assistants are all grounded and trained on specific sets of information, ensuring that the level of hallucinations in responses is minimal at worst. The AI Assistants include:
🎓 Student Centre AI
Helps you access the support and services which enable you to succeed as a current student at the University of Westminster.
It can assist with questions related to Student Support Services, Careers and Enterprise, Academic Support, IT and Digital Services, Library and Learning Resources, Student Life and Activities, or general enquiries related to student support.
đź“š Library AI (Liby)
An AI Library Guide designed to help students and staff with library-related queries. It provides information based on the University’s library guides, which are updated weekly every Sunday.
🧠Blackboard AI
Supports the use of online learning tools, including how to use Blackboard, submit work, and access recordings.
đź’¬ Module AI Assistant (MAIA)
Can be deployed to an individual Blackboard module site and is trained only on the content visible to students of that site. Nearly 200 modules across the University already use MAIA, following a successful pilot.
If any module leader would like to try MAIA, please complete this short form. You can also access a set of FAQs to learn more.
All of the AI Assistants above have been subject to due diligence at Westminster, including cybersecurity and data privacy/protection.
đź“š Teaching the Teachers
Teaching the Teachers is a weekly onsite session held at Marylebone designed to help academic colleagues learn or refresh their understanding of the university’s digital tools.
View Teaching the Teachers →🧠Blackboard Updates
On a monthly basis, Blackboard brings out new and innovative updates, including generative AI capabilities and new organisational settings that can save academic colleagues and students’ time.
View Blackboard Updates →🗓️ Upcoming Workshops
The LIDE team runs a range of online and onsite training throughout the year, including sessions about the evolving landscape of AI technology and its place at Westminster.
See all Workshops →🧠Generative AI Blog
The AI blog focuses on Generative AI at Westminster and its impact on learning and teaching. It shares resources, updates, and guidance to help colleagues and students use AI safely and responsibly.
Read the AI Blog →