Using AI at Pitt? Here are 5 secure apps for your tool belt.

The University of Pittsburgh is expanding student access to generative artificial intelligence tool Claude for Education as the first university to integrate the platform with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The AWS integration means Claude's AI models can also power custom applications for teaching, research and University operations - not just the chat interface.

Claude, a tool designed to support writing, analysis and work with longer documents, is joining other institution-approved tools available through Generative AI @ Pitt, a Pitt Digital initiative that provides students, faculty and staff with secure, vetted resources to support responsible use of generative AI in teaching, learning, research and administrative work.

"We're giving our community choices. This technology is changing fast and students benefit from experience with different tools," said Mark Henderson, vice chancellor and chief information officer. "What stays consistent is our focus on strong privacy protections and tools that enhance learning rather than shortcut it, helping students think more critically, work through problems step by step and build stronger analytical skills."

Rather than requiring the use of a single platform, the University is offering multiple options to give the Pitt community flexibility while ensuring consistent privacy and data protections. Each tool serves different needs, and most of the approved tools are available to students, faculty and staff:

• Claude for Education is the enterprise-grade option for sustained use in research and professional settings, supporting in-depth analysis, writing assistance and work with longer documents.
• Google Gemini is a general-purpose tool for brainstorming and creative ideation, even incorporating images, videos and interactive quizzes for learning.
• Google NotebookLM functions as a research assistant that analyzes user-provided documents and provides citations.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat integrates web search with Microsoft tools to help streamline workflows.
• PittGPT, designed for sensitive data and enterprise systems, is currently only available to faculty and staff.

Several of these tools also include learning-focused features: Both Claude for Education and Google Gemini offer modes that use guided, Socratic-style questioning to support active learning rather than simply providing answers.

"AI does not transform learning by default - people do," said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joe McCarthy. "When students and faculty are empowered to experiment, to mix traditional methods with generative technologies, and to decide when these tools do not serve their goals as well as when they do, AI can support more critical and reflective thinking. The promise and the risk of these technologies lie in the details of their implementation and the contexts in which we teach and learn. Pitt is at a distinct advantage because we have the learning science and interdisciplinary expertise to guide responsible experiments and implement successes."

Students, faculty and staff should follow the University's Acceptable Use of Generative AI Tools guidance and only use University data with Pitt-approved AI tools, which also includes notetakers in platforms like Teams and Zoom. If using AI for coursework, students should ensure their use aligns with course policies regarding AI.

Visit Generative AI @ Pitt to learn more.