The information on this page was updated on January 13, 2025. This page will continue to be updated as new information and resources are made available.
The role and use of AI in Education is rapidly evolving, bringing new opportunities and challenges. We understand that many are trying to navigate this dynamic landscape and may have questions about use of AI in their teaching.
The university has recently published a website devoted to AI information and use at OSU (https://ai.osu.edu/), which continues to grow in offering information and insights about AI at the university.
Additionally, our center is actively working to develop and promote resources that support faculty and staff in leveraging AI effectively. While a full-scale AI website for EHE is currently in development, we recognize the importance of providing timely support. To meet immediate needs, we’ve compiled the following article to provide essential resources.
This article is organized into key themes to address common questions and provide an initial comprehensive overview.
Approved AI Tools at OSU:
OSU has vetted a few AI tools that are approved for use by faculty, staff and students. In summary, the main tools are Microsoft Copilot with data protection (chatbot) and Adobe Express (image generator). There are also a few integrated AI tools within CarmenZoom and CarmenCanvas.
Additionally, our center has acquired and manages a suite of EHE eLearning tools, specifically for EHE instructors. One tool, ThingLink, also has some AI integration for image generation and interactive content creation that is available to faculty and staff.
- Microsoft Copilot with data protection. You must use the data protection version (OSU Microsoft Copilot login), as it does not collect data to inform the AI model – meaning you can use it for OSU work without concern of violating university data protection. This is a chatbot, powered by ChatGPT and is similarly multiuse (AI chatbot, image generation, document summarization, etc.). One teaching use case idea is to use this tool to take responses from a Carmen discussion, paste them into Copilot and have it summarize or identify misconceptions, etc.
- Adobe Express. Provided for all faculty, students, and staff (OSU Adobe Express login). This tool suite includes an AI image generator (similar to Adobe’s Firefly tool). This tool could be used to create visual images or graphics, visual templates, and animated characters.
- CarmenZoom. OSU’s approved academic virtual conferencing tool (OSU CarmenZoom login). Now has the ability to generate meeting summaries, action items, metrics for improving presentations, and video chapter bookmarks or overviews. The tool, Zoom AI Companion, can be turned on in a user’s personal settings and can then only be accessed and turned on by the meeting host for participants to benefit.
- CarmenCanvas. OSU’s approved learning management system (OSU CarmenCanvas login), has an Immersive Reader function that can access information on a page for readability, provide a Read Aloud function, translate text into several languages, etc.
- Discussion Summary (New!)*: generated summaries from Carmen discussion boards. Use to summarize discussion replies, prompt for specific need (e.g., concerns students shared). *Note, this feature is still in beta, all outputs should be reviewed and confirmed for accuracy.
- To use this feature you must ‘enable’ it within your course settings. To view the summary, navigate to the discussion and select the summarize button at the top, the summary will be generated directly above the first discussion response. You can then add prompts for new summaries. See additional details in this university article on Carmen Discussions for Instructors (Discussion Summaries section begins toward the bottom of the page).
- Smart Search (New!)*: an AI generated search of all content provided in the course that is viewable to the user. Beyond key-word searching, this tool employs query context and semantic meaning. Once ‘enabled’ in your course, Smart Search will show in the course navigation (left-hand navigation in course). *Note, this feature is still in beta, all outputs should be reviewed and confirmed for accuracy.
- Discussion Summary (New!)*: generated summaries from Carmen discussion boards. Use to summarize discussion replies, prompt for specific need (e.g., concerns students shared). *Note, this feature is still in beta, all outputs should be reviewed and confirmed for accuracy.
- ThingLink. A tool provided specifically by our team for EHE faculty and staff (EHE eLearning Tools), and integrated into Carmen. This interactive learning tool has a variety of AI functionalities including 2D and 360 image generation and AI generated interactive content (branching scenarios, interactive scenes, etc.)
Data usage in Approved Tools:
Please note that only a few tools have been approved for OSU use (https://ai.osu.edu/faculty-staff-students/approved-ai-tools). In addition, the university advises only S1 and S2 data to be used in those tools, while also stating that S3 and S4 data can be included “when necessary for your education, business, or research use case.” For more information, please visit this page regarding Security and Privacy Statement on Artificial Intelligence.
Syllabus and Policy:
If you intend to use (or not use) AI in your course, we recommend including a statement on AI and Academic Integrity on your syllabus and within your course. The EHE Curriculum Committee has approved initial language that can be adjusted to meet your course needs. This language has been provided below and can always be found in the EHE Syllabus Template (https://go.osu.edu/ehesyllabus), and is required on all distance education course syllabi. Also, as a best practice, we would encourage you to consider adopting specific language around AI for each assignment you have in your course. This will help students to know if, when, and how AI can or cannot be used on any given assignment.
Templated syllabus language (to be adjusted as needed for course/instructor needs):
Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity
All students have important obligations under the Code of Student Conduct to complete all academic and scholarly activities with fairness and honesty. Our professional students also have the responsibility to uphold the professional and ethical standards found in their respective academic honor codes. Specifically, students are not to use unauthorized assistance in the laboratory, on field work, in scholarship or on a course assignment unless such assistance has been authorized specifically by the course instructor. In addition, students are not to submit their work without acknowledging any word-for-word use and/or paraphrasing of writing, ideas or other work that is not your own. These requirements apply to all students undergraduate, graduate, and professional.
To maintain a culture of integrity and respect, these generative AI tools should not be used in the completion of course assignments unless an instructor for a given course specifically authorizes their use. Some instructors may approve of using generative AI tools in the academic setting for specific goals. However, these tools should be used only with the explicit and clear permission of each individual instructor, and then only in the ways allowed by the instructor.
[The above policy contains recommended language, please edit or adjust to meet course and instructor specific needs]
Requesting approval for a new tool at OSU:
If the approved tools do not meet your needs, you may proceed with a request for a new software review. This process begins with EHE Office of Information Technology and includes the required review stages for purchasing software or using freeware at OSU. These reviews include Security, Accessibility, Privacy, and Legal – all of which are necessary for any software use and will be requested prior to any integration into Carmen. To begin that process you can submit your request to EHE OIT through their Software Review and Approval request form.
Upcoming Events:
Interested in learning more about AI in teaching, learning, and research? Check out OSU’s upcoming AI themed events: https://ai.osu.edu/faculty-staff-students
Questions?
We understand that you may have additional questions or considerations – or may want to brainstorm with someone around using AI as part of your teaching and learning. Reach out to our center at CDLI@osu.edu