Generative AI Tools
Microsoft Copilot
Currently, Microsoft Copilot is the recommended generative AI tool to use at U of T. When a user signs in using University credentials, Microsoft Copilot conforms to U of T’s privacy and security standards (i.e., does not share any data with Microsoft or any other company).
It is also free to use. Microsoft Copilot uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 model and performs comparably to ChatGPT. For more information about Copilot, refer to our Copilot Tool Guide.
How Generative AI Works
Are you interested in learning how generative AI works? A good introduction is provided by the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society’s “What are LLMs and generative AI? A beginners’s guide to the technology turning heads”. You could also consider:
The responses you receive from a generative AI tool depend on the prompts you enter, and the further refining of these prompts, which takes practice. As Ethan Mollick said, “The lesson is that just using AI will teach you how to use AI.” (Working with AI: Two Paths to Prompting) To get started, we recommend you consider the following.
Include detailed information in your prompt, including the desired format. “Write a paragraph about…” “Create an image containing…” Suggest a particular style (e.g., an academic essay or lab report) and include specific information you want to include (e.g., provide an outline or ordered steps for the prompt).
- If you’re not sure how to describe the style you want to emulate, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania suggests pasting in a text example you like and asking the tool to describe the style Use that description in your own prompt for style.
- Does the tool output meet your needs? What additional information is required? Generative AI is an interactive tool. Try different options and prompts to gauge the results, clear the prompt screen and try again. You will learn to refine your prompts and better discern what is most effective with practice.
- Generative AI tools can provide quick results that may appear correct, but looks can be deceiving. Tools such as ChatGPT can produce hallucinations or misleading and factually incorrect text. As with any text or visual analysis, we need to examine the results with a critical eye.
U of T instructors and staff can explore generative AI and practice using prompts with Microsoft Copilot.
Other Approved Generative AI Tools
Microsoft Copilot is a general-purpose chatbot. With thoughtful prompting, it can be used for many teaching and learning purposes (e.g., see Ethan and Lilach Mollick’s More Useful Things site for a comprehensive prompt library). However, many other educational generative AI chatbots and tools are being developed that incorporate pre-defined prompts out of the box.
Contact North is a not-for-profit, Government of Ontario-supported organization that has developed two generative AI teaching and learning tools (also based on OpenAI’s GPT-4 model), both of which conform to U of T’s privacy and security standards:
- AI Teacher’s Assistant Pro guides instructors though AI-assisted syllabus and teaching resource creation
- AI Tutor Pro is a resource for students to build and test their knowledge
Other tools that conform to U of T’s privacy and security standards will be referenced here as they become available.