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
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.
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.
Generative AI Comparison Table:
| Feature / Use Case | Microsoft Copilot (M365) | ChatGPT | Google Gemini & NotebookLM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Strength | Productivity within Microsoft 365 | General reasoning and flexible assistance | Instructional support within Google Workspace |
| Best Environment | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams | Stand-alone conversational interface | Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Classroom |
| Context Awareness | Uses user’s Microsoft 365 data (emails, files, meetings) | Uses conversational context within a session | Uses uploaded sources (NotebookLM) and web data |
| Research & Analysis | Limited to Microsoft data unless prompted manually | Strong cross-disciplinary reasoning and synthesis | Strong when grounded in provided sources or web |
| Teaching & Learning Support | Administrative and productivity-focused | Course design, content drafting, tutoring support | Guided learning, quizzes, flashcards, concept explanations |
| Assessment Support | Drafting rubrics, summaries, data analysis | Creating templates, frameworks, examples | Drafting assignments, quizzes, rubrics, syllabus language |
| Meeting & Collaboration | Meeting summaries, notes, action items in Teams | Not meeting-integrated | Limited (outside Google Meet summaries where enabled) |
| Data & Security | Environment approved by UH IT Security. Data is NOT used to train AI models. Chats are private. | Environment approved by UH IT Security. Data is NOT used to train AI models. Chats are private. | Environment approved by UH IT Security. Data is NOT used to train AI models. Chats are private. |
| Ideal Faculty Uses | Administrative tasks, course materials in Office | Writing, research support, coding, ideation | Instructional design, source-based analysis, multimedia learning |
Pros and Cons of ChatGPT: A Comprehensive Analysis
Has Gemini surpassed ChatGPT? We put the AI models to the test. - Ars Technica

