Generative AI Tools | AI Competency Centre

Oxford embraces AI as a powerful tool for research, teaching, and administration while maintaining strict security standards. You can access leading AI platforms, but success depends on understanding your role in using them safely and effectively.

Your Key Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Following University policies - All existing rules on academic integrity, data protection, and conduct apply to AI use
• Verifying AI output - AI can produce inaccurate, biased, or completely false information ("hallucinations"). Always fact-check before using AI-generated content
• Taking accountability - You own responsibility for any work that incorporates AI-generated material, including ensuring accuracy and proper citation

Understanding Data Protection in AI

Your Data is Protected Under Enterprise Agreements

When you use Oxford's enterprise AI tools, your data is automatically excluded from training. This means your work will not be used to train OpenAI's models. Your information is stored securely on company servers with the same protections as other University services like SharePoint and Outlook.

Training vs. Storage: What's the Difference?

Training on data refers to the use of Machine Learning techniques (such as Neural Networks) to train or improve AI models.learn In consumer versions of AI tools, users are required to carefully monitor a company's policy and opt out of having their data used for training where this option is available.. However, any use of AI tools under Oxford's enterprise agreement is automatically opted out of training. In fact, it is impossible to turn this option on (where available).

Storing data works exactly like other university digital services. Enterprise versions include additional security protections and legal agreements to ensure compliance with data protection laws.

Oxford-supported enterprise AI tools have been gone through the through Third Party Security Assessment (TPSA) and received the Confidential rating. Please refer to the University guide on Data classification for details.

Oxford's Approved AI Tools

The University currently offers three enterprise-grade AI tools that are safe for confidential information:

Microsoft Copilot

• Access: Sign in with your Oxford email address through the normal Microsoft workspace
• Verification: Look for the green shield symbol at the top of your screen
• Availability: Free chatbot access for all staff and students
• Enhanced features: Available with Microsoft Copilot 365 licence for full app integration

ChatGPT Edu

• Access: Must sign in specifically to ChatGPT Edu (not the consumer versions - Free, Plus, Teams, or Pro)
• Verification: Look for the blue Oxford logo next to your name in settings
• Availability: Free to all current members of the University through SSO
• Important: Signing into ChatGPT with a department or college email address is not the same as signing in with your SSO

Google Gemini and NotebookLM

• Access: Sign in to Google using your SSO credentials (abcd1234@ox.ac.uk)
• Verification: Check that @ox.ac.uk appears in your account settings
• Availability: Free version available to all; Pro features available to pilot programme participants

Quick Reference Guide