SNF New Media Lab – SNF New Media Lab

We believe

something

extraordinary

is

coming...

AI will redefine

how humanity learns,

teaches, and

shares knowledge.

SNF NEW MEDIA LAB AT SFUenvisions a global Hellenic community where the Greek language flourishes in the Diaspora, uniting people worldwide. Our commitment extends to digitally preserving and promoting Greek culture. We aim to elevate Hellenic Studies and Greek Language education, fostering a profound connection to our heritage.

about

The SNF New Media Lab is dedicated to strengthening the global Hellenic community through innovation, education, and digital engagement. Focused on preserving and promoting Greek language, culture, and heritage, the Lab creates modern and accessible ways for people across the Diaspora to connect with Hellenism.

The Lab envisions a vibrant global community where the Greek language flourishes across generations and borders. Through digital initiatives, educational programs, and cultural preservation efforts, it works to ensure Greek heritage remains dynamic and relevant in the modern world.

The SNF New Media Lab is also exploring the responsible use of ethical artificial intelligence in education, cultural preservation, and digital humanities. In addition, the Lab has participated in projects representing more than $15 million in combined research and development activity.

The Lab is guided by four core pillars:

Greek Language Revitalization in the Diaspora
Digitization of Greek Culture
Hellenic Studies & Greek Education
Industry Engagement in Greece through Internship and Mentorship Programs

Through these initiatives, the SNF New Media Lab serves as a forward-looking hub for global Hellenic connection, cultural preservation, and innovation. The Hellenic Studies lab was first formed in 2004 soon after the first SNF grant to design a Digital Greek Language platform. After a series of successful projects funded by SNF, these grants culminated in the creation of the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies in 2011.

As part of the Centre endowment, the Lab was officially formed as an integral part of the Centre with the mandate to support the distribution and promotion of digital media, online courses for Hellenic Studies and the promotion and support of Greek Language to the Greek in British Columbia. The SNF New Media Lab has since grown to include the following activities throughout the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Over the past 20 years, the Lab has produced innovative technological solutions for learning Greek language and culture and has expanded to cover a vast array of subjects and content, including the teaching and preservation of 20+ critically endangered First Nations languages in Western Canada.

statement on AI

At the SNF New Media Lab, we recognize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while acknowledging its environmental and computational costs. We therefore use AI selectively and only when it provides clear educational value, prioritizing lower-impact alternatives such as search, curated databases, retrieval-augmented systems, rule-based approaches, and lightweight models whenever possible. Our philosophy is simple: AI should not be used for tasks that can be effectively accomplished through other means, but rather to meaningfully enhance learning through exploration, feedback, reflection, and personalized support. We are also mindful of the risks of cognitive offloading and believe learners should remain active participants in the learning process; consequently, AI features are implemented only after careful consideration and are designed to strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving rather than provide shortcuts or replace learning. As with all educational technologies, we adopt AI only when it serves a clear purpose and demonstrates measurable benefits to learners. Ultimately, our goal is to prepare learners for a future increasingly shaped by AI and automation by fostering the uniquely human skills that remain essential—curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and insight—while ensuring that our use of AI remains ethical, responsible, sustainable, and aligned with our educational mission.