Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude have redefined what it means to work, study, teach and create. These tools generate new content based on existing data from the internet or other databases, including user or University data in certain applications.
Generative AI requires human input, editing and evaluation. It is our responsibility to review and revise AI-generated content to ensure its accuracy and make it our own.
Information Technology Services has compiled a quick guide to generative AI and will continue to add resources to this hub as the field evolves.
Table of Contents
- Guidelines
- Approved Tools for Use with University Data
- AI Tool Comparison
- Effective Uses of Generative AI
- Prompting Tips: Getting Better Results
- Recommended Videos
Guidelines
Syracuse University has developed the following guidelines to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies by students, faculty, staff and vendors.
Approved Tools for Use with University Data
Per University guidelines, users should only enter University data when working in the following University-approved AI tools and platforms, which meet Syracuse University’s security and compliance standards:
- Microsoft Copilot
- Adobe Firefly
- Gradescope
- Blackboard’s AI
University community members should not use University data when working in any other AI tools.
AI Tool Comparison
Just like not all bandages are Band-Aids, not all generative AI is ChatGPT. Each AI tool has specific strengths, intended uses and considerations. The following table compares four popular AI tools:
| Microsoft CoPilot | ChatGPT | Google Gemini | Claude | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text-to-Text | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Text-to-Image | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Quick Summary | The free version focuses on text-to-text prompting. The enterprise version integrates with Microsoft 365 applications for document creation, email management, and meeting summarization. | Generates text based on user prompts and supports text-to-image generation through integration with DALL-E, which allows users to create images from text descriptions. | Designed to assist with creative content creation and marketing campaign optimization. | Excels in text-to-text generation and can assist with various tasks such as writing assistance and content creation. |
| Uses | • Business productivity • Automation tasks • Writing assistance | • Customer support • Content creation • Education • Development of AI applications | • Digital marketing • Advertising campaigns • Creative content creation | • Academic research • Writing assistance • Content creation |
Effective Uses of Generative AI
Generative AI has the power to shorten the gap between idea and draft. It also can streamline processes to create more time for big-picture thinking. Recommended uses of generative AI include:
- Generate first drafts of written content such as emails, reports, etc.
- Create images for presentations, web content, storyboards and social media
- Summarize an online meeting (e.g., using the enterprise version of CoPilot within Microsoft Teams), including key takeaways and next steps
- Synthesize information from webpages, PDFs, and other documents
- Search the internet or enterprise data to answer specific, well-defined questions
Prompting Tips: Getting Better Results
Part of getting good answers is asking good questions. When prompting or querying an AI tool, the more parameters you provide—format, tone, style, intended audience, etc.—the better your results will be. If the first result does not meet your needs, you can refine your prompt.
For example, users of the University’s Copilot tenant can take advantage of the app’s integration with other Microsoft apps and University data. Instead of asking, “Please write an email reminding Otto about next week’s alumni event,” you could say, “Please write a short, informal email to Otto that provides the time, location, and expected attendees for next week’s alumni event.”
You also can specify the length and format of the finished product. You can ask for a written response to a complex question in less than 75 words or you can ask the tool to summarize a paragraph in table format.
If you need a visual for a presentation, you can use a tool like ChatGPT to quickly generate, iterate and revise new images based on your imagination—not your artistic ability.
Example Prompts
Weak: Tell me about information security.
Stronger: Describe why information security is important for an audience of college students.
Even Stronger: You’re giving a presentation to college students. Please provide five bullet points under the heading “Information Security Tips.” Keep each bullet point to 15 words or less.
Recommended Videos
The following LinkedIn Learning videos provide helpful overviews and how-to instruction for specific AI tools. (All active University students, faculty and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning using their NetID log-in information.)