Responsible and Appropriate Use

Generative AI is a useful support tool, but it must be used responsibly and safely. Please remember:

• Do not enter confidential, sensitive, or student-identifiable information (Data Classification Level 1 or 2; see: Data Classification and Protection).
• Our license provides security where any UH data/chats are not shared with others or used for training models.
• Content produced by generative AI may contain errors, bias, and/or fabricated information.Outputs should always be reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and appropriateness.
• Generative AI should support, not replace, faculty expertise and professional judgment.
   

Faculty are encouraged to consider how AI use aligns with course learning objectives, academic integrity expectations, and the University of Houston AI Guidelines: https://uhsystem.edu/offices/information-security/resources/artificial-intelligence/index.php

 

Responsible AI Use Quick Guide

Expand AllCollapse All

Teach

Goal: Empower students to use AI to support learning, not give answers.

• Explore AI Use Impacts: Integrate AI into instructional design and development, working to have AI enhance critical thinking without compromising learning objectives.
• Demonstrate the Use of AI: Use AI to enhance learning experiences and to model academic integrity.
• Set Clear Syllabus Policies: Update syllabi to include specific AI use guidelines including transparent documentation of AI use in the generation of content.
• Foster AI Literacy: When AI is used, address the limitations and benefits of AI, including hallucinations, inherent biases, and the importance of human verification.

References: 

• AI Guidelines UH
• Sample AI Syllabus Statements: 2024FE FDIS1000 203235F - Instruction@UH Tutorials
• AI Teaching Strategies - Stanford
• Teach with Generative AI - Harvard
• Generative AI for Educators with Gemini : Google for Education (Free Training for Educators)
• AI courses and tools from Google - Grow with Google (General Free Training and Certificates)

Learn

Goal: Use AI to learn.

• AI Teaching Assistant: Use AI to support learning and research, to tutor, or simplify complex concepts.
• Academic Integrity: Properly cite AI use in academic work.
• Be Responsible: Verify AI accuracy and edit for bias before letting it influence your work.

References:

• Academic Honesty at UH
• Writing Center at UH
• UH Libraries
• AI Basics for Students (for enrolled UH Students)
• 2023FE AI1000 191192F - AI Basics for Instructors (for UH Instructors)
• FDIS Calendar Listing (Faculty Training)
• AI for Students: Free Study, Writing, & Career Tools & Training (Free Training for Students from Google)
• AI courses and tools from Google - Grow with Google (General Free Training and Certificates)

Research

Goal: Enhance efficiency without compromising academic honesty.

• Transparency in Authorship: Always disclose AI assistance in your methodology or acknowledgments. AI cannot be an author, but it can be a tool for literature mapping or coding.
• Protect Intellectual Property and Privacy: Avoid uploading confidential data, sensitive participant information, or proprietary findings or articles into public AI models, as this may violate standards or privacy laws.
• Attend to Audience: Review publication requirements/AI limits and consider AI-generated content risks to users, readers, or participants and include informed consent documents as appropriate.

References:

• Compliance | University of Houston
• 12 Best Practices for Leveraging Generative AI in Experimental Research
• Generative AI and Research - University of Illinois
• Research with Generative AI - Harvard

Work

Goal: Reclaim time for high-priority tasks.

• Ethical Automation: Use AI to draft routine emails, organize meeting notes, or improve administrative processes.
• Data Privacy: Ensure data privacy and security when using AI tools for daily tasks. Use only university-approved, secure platforms.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest AI developments and best practices.

 

References

• AI Solutions UH
• Data Protection at UH
• AI at UH | University of Houston

 

Copilot

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered assistant embedded within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It integrates with Microsoft Graph and applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams to provide context aware assistance based on a user's Microsoft 365 data. Copilot is designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support content creation in Microsoft tools. Faculty may purchase annual Copilot licenses by contacting software@uh.edu.

Key Benefits

• Strongest when used with Microsoft 365 data and applications.
• Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
• Enhances productivity by automating routine tasks and workflows using organizational data.
• Enables in app content creation and editing.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance within the Microsoft 365 environment.

Faculty Use Case Strengths

While generative AI is a good tool for many things, Copilot is particularly well suited for:

• Drafting Outlook emails, Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Summarizing meetings and generating notes and summaries in Teams.
• Assisting with Excel analysis, formulas, and data interpretation.
• Brainstorming ideas and outlining content.

For more information on Copilot,  see:  Microsoft Copilot | University Information Technology | University of Houston 

 

ChatGPT

ChatGPT  is a general purpose, AI-powered conversational assistant designed to support a wide range of diverse tasks including writing analysis, research support, and coding. It excels at reasoning across topics and maintaining context throughout a conversation, making it a flexible tool for teaching, learning, and creative work. ChatGPT Edu is currently in trial phase at the University of Houston. As of now, all procured licenses have been issued. If you would like to be added to waitlist, please fill in this form .

Key Benefits

• Strong reasoning and task support across disciplines.
• Effectively uses context from earlier parts of a conversation.
• Highly flexible for creative, analytical, and instructional tasks.
• Operates as a stand-alone tool that can function like a tutor, writer, analyst, strategist, or brainstorming partner based on your instructions.
  Supports text, image, and code-based tasks.
• Can integrate with external workflows and tools (depending on configuration).
   

Faculty Use Case Strengths

While generative AI is a good tool for many things, ChatGPT is especially effective for:

• Drafting course materials, syllibi, and instructional content.
• Exploring research questions and interdisciplinary connections.
• Brainstorming teaching strategies and course design ideas. 
• Supporting coding instruction, debugging, and explanations.
• Creating templates, frameworks, lesson plans and project outlines.

More Information

 

Google Workspace including Gemini and NotebookLM 

Gemini is Google's AI-powered assistant integrated into Google Workspace, including tools such as Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Google Classroom. Gemini provides conversational assistance for content creation, analysis, and problem solving, with access to current web information. NotebookLM, a companion tool, allows faculty to ground AI responses in uploaded course materials, articles, or datasets for more targeted analysis, instruction, and learning support. Faculty may access Google Workspace by selecting the AccessUH Google Workspace icon    
Google Workspace should be in your AccessUH selection. If it is not, select the following link and then click on the Google License Request Form Button at the bottom of the page. Google Workspace | University of Houston

Key Benefits

• Integrated directly into Google Workspace and Google Classroom.
• Strong general reasoning, data interpretation and task support.
• Access to up-to-date information via web connectivity.
• NotebookLM enables AI assistance grounded in faculty-provided sources.
• Supports creative tasks across text, images, and multimedia.
• Advanced capabilities for visual, audio, and video-based content creation. 
  
  

Faculty Use Case Strengths

While generative AI is a good tool for many things, Gemini and NotebookLM are particularly effective for:

• Guided learning and concept explanation.
• Creating personalized practice quizzes and flashcards using course materials.
• Developing visual explanations and multimedia learning resources.
• Generating audio overviews of articles and papers for on the go use.
• Drafting course outlines, assignments, assessments, rubrics, and syllabus language.

More Information

 

Generative AI Comparison Table: