Generative AI Tools
AI is on the rise, and W&M IT is here to help you select the best tools. As new AI tools and services are introduced, and new AI features are integrated into existing tools, IT will review these tools and services to confirm they are accessible and secure. This is required even for free tools or services.
To have a tool or service reviewed, please submit an IT Procurement Request through the Request IT application by selecting the "Service Request" option.
Approved Tools without Restrictions
These applications or services are approved for Sensitive, Protected & Non-Sensitive Data. Your prompts and results are protected and not used to train public Al models.
|
Tool |
Description |
Best Use |
License info |
Availability |
More info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Multimodal AI assistant included with Microsoft 365 and governed by university security controls. |
Securely summarizing documents and websites, drafting content, or generating images using university-protected data. |
Included in M365 licenses |
Faculty/staff/students over 18 |
|
|
|
AI embedded directly in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. |
Improving everyday productivity inside Office apps—drafting documents, analyzing spreadsheets, and creating presentations with institutional data. |
Licensed |
Available for Purchase |
||
|
OpenAI’s licensed conversational AI platform. |
Complex reasoning, advanced writing, brainstorming, and exploratory analysis without sensitive or protected university data. |
Licensed |
Available for Purchase |
||
|
AI-enabled virtual assistant within Workday. |
Quickly completing HR-related tasks such as checking pay information or requesting time off. |
Included with Workday |
Faculty/staff/student employees |
||
|
Text-to-image and generative design AI from Adobe. |
Creating and editing professional visual designs, graphics, and images from text prompts. |
Included in Adobe licenses |
Faculty/staff/students |
||
| AI-supported course design tools within Blackboard. |
Building course structures, assignments, rubrics, and assessments more efficiently. |
Included with Blackboard |
Faculty/staff/students |
||
| AI-driven student support feature within Blackboard. |
Acting as a 24/7 study assistant to help students review and understand course materials. |
Included with Blackboard |
Faculty/staff/students |
||
| Google’s multimodal AI model integrated with Google Workspace tools. |
Brainstorming, drafting, and productivity tasks. |
Included with Google Workspace License |
Faculty/staff/students |
||
| AI-powered writing and editing assistant. |
Refining grammar, clarity, tone, and style in academic or professional writing. |
Licensed |
Faculty/staff/students |
Available but Not Supported
These tools are used by the university community and are generally approved by IT for purchase. However, they are not supported by IT and are only approved for use with non-sensitive, public data and not sensitive or protected university data. AI tools must be tied to a @wm.edu in order to be approved.
For more information, read the university's Data Classification Policy.
| Tool | Description | Best Use | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | AI-powered search engine with citations. | Fast, citation-forward research and answering factual questions with sources. | Learn more |
| Claude | Anthropic’s conversational AI model. | Nuanced writing, editing, and code generation that emphasizes clarity, tone, and long-form quality. | Learn more |
Prohibited
| Tool | Description | More info |
|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek AI | DeepSeek AI is a Chinese artificial intelligence company that develops large language models (LLMs). | Learn more |