If you do not see a tool you would like to use, please submit a ticket for AI tool review to the IT Service Desk by emailing itsd@ua.edu.
Approved Tools without Restrictions:
- Adobe Firefly – A generative AI model by Adobe that enables users to create and manipulate images, videos, and designs through simple text prompts. Available with our campus Adobe license.
- Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection – A secure AI assistant integrated into Microsoft products that ensures data protection and privacy while helping users with tasks. Available at copilot.microsoft.com.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot* – An AI-powered assistant within Microsoft 365 applications that enhances productivity by assisting with writing, summarizing, and generating content. Available from OIT for $360/user/year.
*Reach out to OIT for access via the IT Service Desk at itsd@ua.edu or 205-348-5555
Approved Tools with Restrictions:
These services are available for use but should not be used with sensitive or restricted data.
- Azure OpenAI Service* – A cloud-based service by Microsoft that provides access to OpenAI’s powerful AI models, enabling developers to integrate advanced language understanding and generation into their applications. Available from OIT with chargeback model – pricing here: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/cognitive-services/openai-service/
- Google Gemini* – A suite of advanced AI models by Google that integrate language understanding, generation, and multimodal capabilities to enhance a wide range of applications and services. Available from OIT with chargeback model – pricing available here: Pricing | Generative AI on Vertex AI | Google Cloud
- OpenAI ChatGPT Team Edition – an artificial intelligence model that can generate human-like text. Must be purchased by departments.
- OpenAI ChatGPT Plus Edition – this edition may be used, but use requires that users disable model training. Instructions here – Data Controls FAQ | OpenAI Help Center
- Otter.ai Pro or Business – An AI-powered transcription service that generates real-time, accurate transcripts of meetings, lectures, and conversations for easy review and collaboration. Must be purchased by departments.
- Anthology Blackboard Learn AI Design Assistant – easily build course structure, assessments, rubrics, and more in Blackboard Learn Ultra.
- Perplexity.ai – an AI chatbot-powered research and conversational search engine that answers queries using natural language predictive text. OIT recommends opting out of information collection for AI on your settings page once you are logged in. This prohibits Perplexity from using your search information to train/improve AI models.
- Anthropic Claude – Claude is trained to have natural, text-based conversations, and it excels in tasks like summarization, editing, Q&A, decision-making, code-writing, and more. This platform does train models based on user input, so be cautious about what is submitted.
- Github Copilot – GitHub Copilot is a code completion and automatic programming tool developed by GitHub and OpenAI that assists users of Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, Neovim, and JetBrains integrated development environments (IDEs) by autocompleting code.
- Zoom AI – AI-driven tools within Zoom that enhance video conferencing experiences through features like real-time transcription, meeting summaries, and background noise reduction.
*Reach out to OIT for access via the IT Service Desk at itsd@ua.edu or 205-348-5555
Pending Review:
- Box AI – AI-powered features integrated into Box’s cloud content management platform, enhancing document organization, search, and workflow automation.
- Jira AI – AI capabilities in Jira that assist in project management by automating routine tasks, predicting project timelines, and enhancing issue tracking and prioritization.
Prohibited Tools:
- Otter.ai Free – The free tier of Otter.ai’s transcription service offers limited features such as a set number of monthly transcription minutes, basic editing tools, and real-time transcription capabilities.
- Read.ai – An AI-powered tool that analyzes virtual meetings to provide real-time insights and analytics on engagement, sentiment, and participation, helping improve communication and productivity.
Q: What if the AI tool I wish to use is not something that is purchased, such as the free version of ChatGPT or Gemini?
A: The University of Alabama has approved use of Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection, which is built on Open AI technology but offers data protection for UA users. Even free software requires advance review and consideration. First, individual users do not have signature authority to bind the institution to the terms and conditions that must be accepted prior to use or download. Secondly, UA users must not disclose UA Sensitive or Restricted/PHI information to a third party without an agreement protecting this information. For use of AI tools or systems for official UA purposes, even if they are free of charge, please submit a request through UA IT.
When using AI tools, be sure to adhere to OIT’s AI Minimum Security Standard.
OIT AI Pilots: Exploring the Future of AI at the University of Alabama
As generative AI tools rapidly evolve, faculty and staff at The University of Alabama face new challenges and opportunities. While many AI tools are entering higher education, not all offer the data protection required to safeguard university information. To better understand these technologies’ potential benefits and risks, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) conducts pilot programs on prominent AI tools. The goal is to evaluate their functionality, security, and feasibility for campus-wide use.