Access generative AI tools at UW–Madison
UW–Madison has vetted and secured contracts for the following generative AI services, available university-wide at no cost. These tools provide better data security and privacy than unvetted public services, which may use your data to train their models. Please prioritize these options for university-related work.
Google Gemini
AI help for writing, research, coding and image generation.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Google Gemini Notebook
Source-based research and document analysis.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Google Workspace Studio
Build custom AI agents that automate tasks across Google Workspace apps.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Microsoft Copilot Chat
AI chat, agents, file analysis and image generation.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Webex Assistant
Meeting summaries, transcripts and in-meeting AI support.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Review required:
Sensitive
Restricted
Zoom AI
Meeting notes, summaries, action items and workplace AI help.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Review required:
Sensitive
Restricted (Secure Zoom)
Subscription-based AI services
Available to university faculty and staff on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Bedrock
Build AI applications and assistants that can interact with university systems and data using foundation models from leading AI companies.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Review required:
Sensitive
Restricted
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) AI services
Cloud computing resources and access to hundreds of foundation models, including Anthropic’s Claude and models from Mistral AI.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Review required:
Sensitive
Restricted
Microsoft Azure AI services
Cloud computing resources, including access to OpenAI models through Microsoft Foundry.
Approved data:
Public
Internal
Review required:
Sensitive
Restricted
AI services at UW–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to responsibly harnessing the power of generative artificial intelligence to enhance teaching, learning, research and university operations. The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) oversees university-wide AI initiatives that provide secure enterprise AI tools.
AI & institutional data
Never enter sensitive or restricted information like student records, health data or unpublished research into unvetted AI services. Because these services are not under university contracts, they can use any data you enter to train their models. If you have questions about data classification, contact the appropriate data steward.
Policies & ethics
University policies safeguard institutional data, which everyone at UW is legally and ethically obligated to protect. Remember, AI misuse could violate university rules and legal obligations.
The ethics of using generative AI tools in higher education are evolving. Employees and students should reflect on how AI impacts academic integrity, attribution, privacy and equity.
Keep in mind:
- AI tools can be biased and make mistakes
- You are responsible and accountable for what you produce when using these tools
- AI tools should enhance, not replace, your own analysis and reasoning
- AI tools use a lot of electricity and water and may not always be a sustainable choice, depending on the task
When misused, generative AI tools can expose institutional data that the university must protect. UW’s Chief Information Security Officer has provided guidance on protecting university systems and data. If you have questions about classifying data, contact the relevant data steward.
UW employees are responsible for knowing and following their department or unit’s rules for using AI tools, in addition to following university policies. Make sure you understand the rules before using AI for work. If you’re unsure, ask your supervisor or department head for clarification.
Events & community
Administrative AI Exchange
Join a virtual community where UW–Madison administrative staff can ask questions, share experiences and learn how colleagues across the university are using AI in their work. It’s informal, low-pressure and open to everyone — whether you’re just curious or actively exploring AI tools.
AI events
October
-
October 5AI in Academia Coffee Hour: What are scholars for?Campus ID (Wiscard) required for entrance into Memorial Library.
-
October 5Madison AI for Proteins presentation by Xuhui HuangPresentation by Xuhui Huang12:00 PM, 1109 McArdle Building
-
October 6Business Best Practices & Emerging Technologies ConferenceShaping the Future of Business and Technology12:00 AM, Monona Terrace
-
October 6Advancing Precision Medicine SymposiumData Science for Precision Medicine and Public Health12:00 AM, Health Sciences Learning Center
Frequently asked questions
You should only enter public information into public generative AI tools unless the specific AI service has been reviewed and approved by the university. Never input any sensitive or restricted university data into generative AI tools.
UW–Madison policies govern the use of AI, focusing on responsible use and data protection. These policies emphasize protecting university data, using only public information in AI tools unless officially approved, and considering ethical implications. Read our Generative AI @ UW–Madison: use & policies page for more.
If you’re concerned about data privacy, use only university-approved AI services and follow university guidelines. Do not enter sensitive or restricted university data into AI tools. For more guidance, read the statement from UW’s Chief Information Security Officer.
You can use public data with any AI service. You may use both public and internal university data with any of UW’s approved enterprise AI tools. Some services are also approved for employee use with sensitive and restricted university data under specific circumstances.
Your department may have more guidance or restrictions on employees’ use of AI services. You are responsible for knowing and following your department’s rules and guidelines.
You must complete a risk assessment and receive approval from Cybersecurity and your unit’s risk executive — typically your dean or chief administrator — before using sensitive or restricted university data in the university’s subscription cloud AI services.
The KnowledgeBase has many helpful articles on how to use UW’s approved AI tools, including services from Google, Microsoft, Webex and Zoom. Check out the Public Cloud KB for support using the university’s pay-as-you-go AI services.
If you’re having trouble logging in to the university’s approved AI tools with your NetID, contact the DoIT Help Desk.