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UHD Student Generative AI Guidelines

Explore Generative AI

OpenAI - The earliest mover with the viral web front-end and the name ChatGPT. The free version uses GPT 3.5 as the model, which is suitable for most tasks, though there are significant improvements in the latest model GPT 4, particularly in the area of reasoning and avoiding hallucinations (think of AI as an intern). An iPhone app was released in mid-May with a phased launch across the world and they are going to launch Android app soon. If you sign up for the paid plan ($20 a month), you get early access to features such as the ability for the bot to access the web and use plugins that supercharge the functionality of the bot. The Code Interpreter feature is in alpha currently and promises to be significantly good at analysis.

Google Bard - A free interface available to everyone with a Google account. Does reasonably well on most tasks, and has access to the web by default. Currently does not match up to the latest models from OpenAI, but it might improve fast given Google’s focus on AI now. A feature similar to plugins, is being labeled ’tools’ and was announced in May 2023. Some AI capabilities are already integrated into Google tools.

Microsoft Bing Chat - A free interface available to all. Powered by OpenAI models. Currently requires downloading the Microsoft Edge browser to access the chat feature. Has default access to the web and is powered by the latest models from OpenAI, so for normal usage this could be considered a free version, versus the paid version from OpenAI. Microsoft has also enabled plugins for several services and will continue to add more. They have also committed to following the same standard for plugins as OpenAI, so the plugins developed once will work across both interfaces. Given that Microsoft is currently offering OpenAI models for free, and adding plugins support, it seems the best free option, and it includes references as well.

ChatPDF - One specific use case that might be very relevant for most users is to be able to ‘chat’ with a PDF document. This might be a research article, a printout of a web page (saved as .pdf), or a PDF of a book. It is a very simple and elegant solution. There are limitations on how much you can use it for free. This feature will be subsumed in one of the other platforms soon, but for now, it is an excellent tool.

Perplexity - If you are looking for a response from a model that includes an aggregation of search and a generative model and present it with references, this is a good option. Microsoft Bing chat also includes references in its response, so this is not specific to Perplexity, though the experience is better with this tool.

Adobe Firefly - Generative AI can be used for images, audio, and video. Adobe Firefly (beta) is currently available via university license and lets you quickly create graphics. Two powerful features include: “text to image” to generate images from a detailed text description and “generative fill” which makes it easy to remove objects or paint in new ones by supplying text descriptions. Other features include text effects, generative recolor, 3D to image, and extending images.

For a full searchable list of generative AI tools, check out the AI Scout Directory.

How will you use it?

AI tools are evolving rapidly, allowing students to access vast sources of knowledge and explore different ideas and ways of thinking.

  • University teaching models are changing.
  • Most employers will expect you to graduate with skills and experience in using AI.
  • Gaining continuous learning skills (learning how to learn) now will serve you well throughout your life as AI evolves.
  • The AI future will include exciting opportunities along with new realities related to ethics and our interactions with technology.

You can use AI to:

  • Research
  • Enhance
  • Analyze
  • Create
  • Improve

What does it mean for your career?

GenAI is reshaping the future of work and that includes your future career. Whether you're studying business, art, engineering, or education, understanding how GenAI fits into your field is essential. Here's what it means for you:

  1. New Tools, New Opportunities
    • GenAI tools are becoming part of everyday work across industries -- from marketing and design to healthcare and law. You'll need to be comfortable using AI tools to enhance your work. Learning how to prompt, evaluate, and apply AI-generated content will be valuable skill in almost any job.
  2. Human Skills Matter More Than Ever
    • AI can mimic some human abilities like writing or decision-making, but it doesn't think, feel, or understand like a person. It doesn't have emotions, values, or creativitity in the human sense.
    • To stand out, focus on what makes you uniquely human:
      • Critical thinking
      • Creativity
      • Empathy and communication
      • Ethical judgment
    • These are skills that AI can't replace, and they'll be in high demand.
  3. You're Building a Career, Not Just a Job
    • ​​​​​​​In the age of AI, your career path may not be linear. Some jobs will change, others will disappear, and entirely new roles will emerge.
      • Stay curious and up to date about how AI is used in your field.
      • Use AI to augment your abilities, not replace them.
      • Build a portfolio that shows how you've used AI tools thoughtfully and ethically.
      • Be ready to adapt and grow with the technology.

Prompts

What are some Generative AI prompts I can use in my academic journey?

  • Prompts to help you learn
    • How to use GenAI to, for example, explain course material and apply these learned concepts to current events.
  • Prompts to help you create
    • How to use Gen AI to, for example, suggest ideas for an assignment topic, and appropriate secondary sources.
  • Prompts to help you progress
    • How to use GenAI in your job search and career planning to, for example, create resumes and cover letters and identify career opportunities.
  • Ideas to support your learning
    • How to use GenAI to prepare for your lectures by, for example, engaging with new or complex topics.

Additional resources:

Prompt engineering for students - making generative AI work for you- Teaching@Sydney

prompts.chat -- awesome AI prompts

 

Prompt writing for ChatGPT (and similar generative AI tools) involves crafting clear and concise instructions to elicit specific responses from the language model.  Users provide input in the form of a prompt, guiding ChatGPT to generate text that aligns with their intended purpose.  Effective prompt writing considers the model's capabilities and nuances, maximizing the chances of obtaining better outputs.

Some of the key elements of prompting with ChatGPT or other similar generative AI tools includes:

  • Tell the AI who it is?  Ask it to act like a physics tutor.
  • Give specific instructions.  The more complex you give it, the more effective it will be.
  • Give examples and steps.
  • Experiment and practice different ways of prompting.
  • Continue interacting based on the responses and your needs.

Prompt engineering is a relatively new discipline and is an integral facet of generative artificial intelligence (AI), which is revolutionizing our interaction with technology. To learn about Prompt Engineering see What is Prompt Engineering?

Free Courses

  • ChatGPT on Campus - Open AI Academy
    • This collection of free, self-paced training courses helps college educators and students navigate AI integration. Topics include:
      • Writing and composition with AI assistance
      • Academic integrity considerations
      • Research and study support strategies
      • Faculty perspectives on policy development
  • ChatGPT at Work, Open AI Academy
    • This curated collection of short, practical lessons helps students and professionals alike unlock the full potential of ChatGPT in real-world work scenarios. Topics include:
      • AI-enhanced productivity workflows
      • Ideation and communication tools
      • Ethical considerations and oversight
      • AI-supported workplace practices
  • How to make use of generative AI as a student, Artevelde University & Odisee University
    • 2 hour e-course. Goals include:
      • know what AI is and how it is used in everyday life.
      • have gained knowledge about generative AI and its various applications, such as text, image, video, and audio generation.
      • be able to use AI in a responsible way, with attention to issues like hallucinations, bias, copyright, sustainability, and the digital divide.
      • have discovered how generative AI can add value to your studies.
      • know how to stay updated on the latest developments in AI and how to combine and tailor AI tools to your needs.
  • Module course - Artificial Intelligence - University of Queensland, Australia
    • 90-minute module provides an introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI), including an overview of key tools and how to use them, and ensure you are aware of how to use these technologies eithically and responsibly. This module will:
      • explore key concepts, such as generative AI, machine learning, deep learning and neural networks.
      • outline the legal, ethical, and social impacts of artificial intelligence.
      • explain ways generative AI tools can be used
      • explore key tools and how to effectively use them.
  • How generative AI works: AI in Education (sydney.edu.au)
    • University of Sydney stduents and staff collaborated on this public course available on Canvas.  It seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills to use GAI productively and responsibly.
  • Generative AI Learning Skill Path Training
    • This learning by by Google Cloud is available at no cost.  It includes 5 courses which provide an overview of GAI concepts, from fundamentals of large language models to responsible AI principles.