Generative AI Tools
While most people have heard of Open AI’s ChatGPT, they often don’t know what other tools are available, what they do (or what they are good at), and the risks of using a particular tool. There are now thousands of AI tools (requires a free account) that are trained or tuned to tackle specific tasks, so keeping up with what’s out there may seem a daunting task. It is impossible to vet every gen AI tool, and at present, the University is not formally evaluating any AI tools for privacy and risks, including algorithmic risks. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has developed a set of principles for the responsible, trustworthy, and privacy-protective use of generative AI.
As a starting point, this page provides some examples of common generative AI tools that students and faculty may be considering using.
Note: Acknowledging these tools does not constitute endorsement of them by the University of Windsor, or imply that they have been thoroughly reviewed. Consider the advice about these tools as provisional and for information only.
Generative AI Tool: Microsoft Copilot
Description: Copilot is a general AI assistant applied across the Microsoft 365 suite, particularly in Microsoft Edge. It is based on the OpenAI ChatGPT 4 model and can generate text and images.
Use Cases: Brainstorming, idea generation, text and image generation, text descriptions of images
Does it require a log in/account? Yes.
Does it require personal information for signup? No, existing UWindsor credentials can be used to access it.
Does it protect personal information? Partially.
Is there a cost to the user? No, access is currently provided through UWindsor’s enterprise MS365 licence.
Can it be recommended or required for student use? According to UBC and University of Toronto, it is relatively safe for use with lower risk data. Faculty and staff should log in with their UWindsor credentials and not enter personal information or intellectual property into the tool. Students do not currently have access to Microsoft Copilot through their UWindsor accounts.
Generative AI Tool: Contact North AI Tutor Pro
Description: Contact North’s AI Tutor Pro is a free personal tutor on any topic developed by Contact North and funded by the Province of Ontario. It is based on the latest Chat GPT (currently GPT4o) model and designed with student privacy in mind. This is a student-facing tool is designed as a study-aid, but faculty may find it helpful to test the system’s knowledge of their discipline area.
Use Cases: Checking knowledge on any topic, studying any topic
Does it require a log in/account? No
Does it require personal information for signup? No
Does it protect personal information? Yes, however, it is strongly recommended that users do not share any personal, private, confidential, or copyright information with the tool.
Is there a cost to the user? No, access is currently funded by the provincial Government.
Can it be recommended or required for student use? According to the University of Toronto, it is relatively safe for students to use, but users should avoid sharing private, personal, or confidential information with the tool.
Generative AI Tool: Contact North AI Teaching Assistant Pro
Description: Contact North’s AI Teaching Assistant Pro is a free personal teaching and instructional design assistant developed by Contact North and funded by the Province of Ontario. It is based on the latest Chat GPT (currently GPT4o) model and designed with privacy in mind. This is an instructor-facing tool designed to generate multiple-choice questions, essay questions and scoring rubrics, and syllabi and teaching notes/slides.
Use Cases: Generating syllabus information, MCQs, essay questions, rubrics
Does it require a log in/account? No
Does it require personal information for signup? No
Does it protect personal information? Yes, however, it is strongly recommended that users do not share any personal, private, confidential, or copyright information with the tool. Instructors can upload content they own to help generate better questions, rubrics, etc.
Is there a cost to the user? No, access is currently funded by the provincial Government.
Can it be recommended or required for student use? This is an instructor-facing tool.