News & Events

What you CAN use AI for

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, or Claude create new content – text, images, etc. – based on what they have learned from massive amounts of previously existing content of that type. They can help us spark ideas, launch projects, and make work more efficient. But how specifically can we use them for school?

Generative AI tools can help you:

• Brainstorm: Get support choosing a paper topic, identifying keywords to use in research, or getting started when you’re staring at a blank page and feel stuck.  
• Create templates: Generate templates for emails, cover letters, resumes, and more. 
• Create study tools: Build outlines, summaries, or quizzes to help you study.
• Revise your writing: Review grammar and spelling, improve the flow or adjust the tone of your words, or make what you’ve written more concise.
• Translate into or from different languages.

Some capabilities of generative AI might be especially useful to people with disabilities – for instance, making images accessible for people with visual disabilities by creating alternative text, or providing task support for people who are neurodivergent or have cognitive processing issues.

While there are possible benefits, there are a few important things to keep in mind when we consider using generative AI:

• Above all, the appropriate use of generative AI is to support your own thinking and your own work—not to completely create work for you. Your critical thinking and analysis are what help you learn and grow as a person and student.
• Follow your professor’s guidelines on acceptable use of generative AI, and if you’re not sure whether a particular use of generative AI is OK, ask! The rules of academic honesty apply. And be aware that any work you submit might be run through an AI detector.
• Use generative AI tools with caution. There are legitimate concerns about inaccuracies, bias, copyright violations, privacy, and environmental impact.