Overview
The BruinCloud Research Enablement Series continues with Session 2, focused on advanced AI models and accelerated computing capabilities available through Google Cloud Platform on BruinCloud.
This session is aimed at researchers moving beyond early AI exploration toward scalable, production‑ready workflows. Participants will explore advanced AI models available through Agent Platform (formerly Vertex AI), including Gemini and Model Garden, and gain practical insight into GPUs and TPUs, their performance tradeoffs, and research use cases. The session also covers running training and inference in managed environments, features a UCLA research example using GPUs for precision medicine, and provides guidance on scaling workloads with cost‑performance in mind.
Session 2 is more technical than Session 1, and while not required, prior knowledge working with major cloud platforms or AI infrastructure will be beneficial for attendees.
Topics Include:
- Overview of advanced AI models available through Agent Platform (formerly Vertex AI), including Gemini and Model Garden offerings
- Understanding GPUs and TPUs, including use cases and performance considerations
- Running training and inference workloads in managed environments
- Hands-on lab: training models using Agent Platform (formerly Vertex AI) (optional participation)
- UCLA research example leveraging GPUs for precision medicine and scientific analysis
- Practical guidance on scaling workloads and managing cost-performance
Event Details
- Format: Virtual
- Length: Approximately 3 hours
- Date and time: May 15, 2026, 9:00am to 12:00pm PT
About the Series
The BruinCloud Researcher Enablement Series is a three-part virtual series focused on creating awareness and practical understanding of AI and cloud tools available to UCLA researchers.
Session 1 (April 30)
Get started with Google Cloud and Gemini, including access, tools, and UCLA use cases
Session 2 (May 15)
Explore advanced AI models, GPUs and TPUs, and hands-on workflows for computational and data-intensive research
Session 3 (May 29)
Learn how to work with large datasets and apply AI tools to research workflows using services such as BigQuery and Vertex AI
Office Hours (May 7 & May 21)
Optional office hours will be offered between sessions to support follow‑up questions, architecture discussions, and project planning.
Future BruinCloud enablement offerings will continue to highlight new tools and capabilities as they become available to the UCLA research community.
