Generative AI Tools Available at UW–Madison

What it is: A secure Microsoft AI chatbot (via web or app) for writing, summarizing, translating, explaining, generating simple code, and producing simple images.

What you can do easily:

• Draft emails, memos, and announcements in a chosen tone.

• Summarize an article or web page into key points.

• Brainstorm ideas, outlines, titles, or names.

• Get quick explanations of technical terms or policies (using public/internal info).

• Generate simple code snippets or formulas.

• Generate simple images (following content rules).

• Copilot Chat now supports more multimodal features (vision, image analysis, code interpretation).

What’s not included at UW by default:

• The deeper integration inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams (called Microsoft 365 Copilot) and most Copilot Studio features. Most UW users have Copilot Chat only, not the premium in-app features.

Good examples:

• HR: Rewrite job descriptions for clarity and inclusiveness.

• Finance: Summarize a public policy PDF into a short briefing.

• Student: Turn a rough paragraph into a clean, readable summary.

Data: Use public or internal data only (no restricted or HIPAA).

Support: DoIT Help Desk

What it is: Google’s AI chat at gemini.google.com for writing, brainstorming, coding help, translations, and images.

What you can do easily:

• Rewrite or translate text

• Explain complex ideas in plain language

• Draft messages, descriptions, or summaries

• Generate simple images

• Ask for small code examples

What’s not included at UW by default:

• No Google Workspace add-ons (Docs, Sheets, Slides integrations)
• No Gemini Advanced features

Good examples:

• Instructor/TA: Create a neutral, student-friendly description of an assignment.

• Student: Brainstorm thesis statements or research questions.

• Communications staff: Draft alternate headlines and social snippets.

Data: Use public or internal data only.

Support: DoIT Help Desk

What it is: An AI research notebook that works only from the sources you upload (PDFs, Google Docs, websites, transcripts, images). It cites its answers and can create study guides, FAQs, and narrated audio/video overviews.

What you can do easily:

• Turn a stack of readings into a cited study guide

• Produce a narrated video or audio overview of complex content.

• Build an FAQ from policy manuals or a procedures binder—with citations for audit.

• Compare sections across documents (e.g., updated policy vs. old policy).

What it’s not for:

• General chat about anything on the web. However, you can now add sources from around the web.

Good examples:

• Students: Summarize key themes from multiple readings and get citations to quote properly.

• Finance: Create a “What changed?” summary of the latest policy revision with references.

• Research admin: Build a checklist from a sponsor’s RFP with section citations.

Data: Use public or internal information only.

Support: DoIT Help Desk

Age note: Google lists NotebookLM for adult (18+) users; check Google’s terms for details.

What it is: AI features inside Zoom that you (as the host) can turn on for a meeting to produce summaries, action items, and let participants ask AI about what was discussed.

What you can do easily:

• Get a readable meeting recap: decisions, next steps, and owners.

• Ask questions like “What did we decide about deadlines?” during or after the meeting.

• Share the summary with attendees to confirm accuracy.

What it’s not for:

• General chat outside Zoom. It focuses on meeting content.

Good examples:

• Committees and boards: Clear end-of-meeting summaries with follow-ups.

• Project teams: Weekly standup recap with action items and owners.

• Advising/clinical: With Secure Zoom, summaries can be used with restricted/HIPAA data when allowed by policy.

Data:

• Standard Zoom AI Companion: Public, internal, sensitive data can be used when permitted.

• Secure Zoom: May be used with restricted/HIPAA when your use case and unit policies allow.

  Always verify on the Generative AI Services page and with your local IT/security office.

Support: DoIT Help Desk

Host control: Features are opt-in; participants are notified when AI features are enabled.

What it is: AI features within Webex Meetings that help produce meeting summaries, action items, and allow participants to ask AI about what was discussed.

What you can do easily:

• Summaries with key points and follow-ups

• Auto-generated action items

• Ask: “What decisions did we make about next semester?”

• Real-time transcription enhancements

What it’s not for:

• Advanced messaging AI or full Webex Suite features (not all are available in EDU tier)

• Restricted/HIPAA data unless approved by your unit.

Good campus examples:

• Project meetings requiring recap notes

• Workshops and trainings

• Cross-unit coordination meetings

Data: Public & internal only.

Support: DoIT Help Desk

What it is: Adobe’s creative AI for image generation, generative fill/expand, and text effects. It’s designed with commercial-safety in mind by training on Adobe Stock, licensed, and public-domain content.

What you can do easily:

• Generate images to illustrate a course page, news article, or event flyer.

• Use Generative Fill to remove/replace parts of a photo or extend a background.

• Create on-brand graphics for recruiting and outreach.

What it’s not for:

• Meeting notes
• Policy or research Q&A

Good examples:

• Instructors/Students: Create visuals for slides and posters.

• HR/Communications: Make clean, accessible graphics for web and social.

• Departments: Produce event banners and wayfinding icons.

Data: Follow your unit’s content rules and brand guidelines.

Support: Adobe (vendor) - UW provides access, but there is no dedicated campus Firefly support team.