University Information Technology
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AI Tools Hub

Explore, learn, and innovate with university-approved AI tools

The AI Tools Hub is the University's centralized resource for approved AI tools, practical use cases, and guidance for responsible AI adoption.

This site provides information on approved AI tools that meet UH security, privacy, and compliance standards, as well as guidance on non-approved tools and appropriate personal-use considerations outside of UH work environments. 

Why Do Approved Tools Matter?

UH-approved tools are vetted to operate within secure environments, restrict data sharing, and align with UH security and compliance standards. Examples where using UH-approved tools are required:

  • Student using AI tools to analyze group project data that includes identifiable information about peers, survey respondents, or study participants
  • Faculty uploading a student roster with PSIDs into an AI tool to analyze grade distribution and identify performance trends
  • Staff member using AI to analyze research spending trends with spreadsheets that include faculty names, account numbers, and budget allocations
  • Researcher analyzing unpublished study data or datasets containing human subject information using AI tools for summarization, pattern detection, or drafting reports

Click here to learn what data classifications are permitted for use with approved AI tools.

How are You Using AI?

Tell us how you are using AI to improve teaching, learning, research, and daily work across the university.

Your feedback helps us better understand how AI technologies are impacting UH and where we can better support innovation and responsible adoption.

Share your story >>

AI Heatmap at UH - map screenshot

Explore AI Adoption at UH

AI is already being used across the University of Houston, in classrooms, research, operations, and new initiatives across campus.

The UH AI Heatmap brings that activity into one place. Explore where AI is being adopted, how it is being used, and where new opportunities are emerging across colleges, departments, and teams.

Use the heatmap to discover what others are doing, identify potential collaborators, learn from real examples, and see where AI adoption is gaining momentum.

Explore the heatmap and see how AI is evolving across UH.

 Contact aisolutions@uh.edu to have your projects added to our heatmap.

Explore the Hub

  • Explore the Tools

    The Tools

    Explore UH-approved AI tools and discover the features and capabilities that can support your teaching, learning, research, and administrative work. Each tool overview highlights what the platform can do and offers guidance for responsible and effective use within the university environment.

  • ai sparks - Stories that Ignite AI Innovation at UH

    AI Sparks

    AI Sparks shares stories of how the UH community is using AI to improve teaching, learning, and work.

    Get inspired, then get featured. Share your AI story.

  • Use Cases and Prompt Library

    Use Cases and Prompt Library

    Explore examples of how AI can support teaching, research, learning, creativity, and operational efficiency across the university. This section provides sample use cases, starter prompts, and example scenarios to help you explore new ways AI may support your own work, teaching, and learning.

  • Smart Prompting in AI Foundations Course

    Understand Why Prompts Matter

    Prompts are the words, questions, or instructions you give an AI system to guide its response.

    Module 2.1 of our AI Foundations course focuses on optimizing prompts to generate the best results.

Data Security and AI Tools

Data Classifications

University of Houston System (UHS) has three data classifications.

Data Level Description Examples
Level 1 Highly sensitive or regulated university data that requires the highest level of protection due to legal, privacy, financial, research, or operational risk. Unauthorized access or disclosure could significantly impact individuals or university operations. Student records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA), financial aid data (GLBA), personally identifiable information (PII), Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical records, transcripts, grade reports, grant-funded or restricted research data, mission-critical operational data
Level 2 Internal university information intended for limited access within UH that may be subject to public records requests, operational controls, or institutional review. Unauthorized disclosure could create moderate institutional, legal, or reputational risk. Internal emails, text messages, voicemails, meeting materials, procurement documents, contracts, bidding information, internal reports, operational communications
Level 3 Publicly available information approved for open distribution with minimal or no restrictions on access or sharing. Disclosure of this information presents little to no risk to the university. Public university websites, press releases, marketing materials, published reports, flyers, publicly available policies, event announcements, course catalogs

Comparison Matrix

The following table indicates what data level is authorized for each UH-supported and approved AI tool:

  Level 3 Data
Public		 Level 2 Data
Controlled		 Level 1 Data
Confidential		 Type Available For Cost
     Free/Personal AI Tools Yes No No n/a n/a n/a
     Paid/Personal AI Tools Yes No No n/a n/a Not approved for purchase
 
Uses CougarNet single sign-on
     ChatGPT EDU Yes Yes Yes GenAI, Productivity Faculty $0
     Google Gemini Yes Yes Yes GenAI, Productivity Students and Employees $0
     Gemini Notebook Yes Yes Yes GenAI, Productivity Students and Employees $0
     Microsoft Copilot Chat Yes Yes Yes GenAI, Productivity Students and Employees $0
     Microsoft 365 Copilot Yes Yes Yes GenAI, Productivity Employees $220 /yr
Does Not Use CougarNet single sign-on
     Synthesia Yes No No GenAI Video creation Employees Requires departmental contract
Contact aisolutions@uh.edu