About Generative AI

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of artificial intelligence to generate text, images, audio, videos, or other data. Generative AI uses large language models (LLMs) to learn the patterns and structure of their input training data and then generate new data that has similar characteristics. OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, and in the following years other technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta have released their own generative AI chat tools, some built on proprietary LLMs.

The University has developed a generative AI service, PhoenixAI, which is available to all UChicago faculty, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff. It is built with the latest large language models (LLM) from OpenAI, and customized for the University community. The University also provides access to several services that include generative AI technology.

Guidance

Generative AI tools offer many capabilities and efficiencies that can greatly enhance our work. When using these tools, members of the University community must consider issues related to information security, privacy, compliance, and academic integrity.

View guidance on using and procuring generative AI tools at UChicago.

The following University policies provide additional details on this guidance:

• Acceptable Use Policy
• Policy 601 - Treatment of Confidential Information
• Policy on the Use of External Services

Data Protection

When using PhoenixAI and other generative AI tools, UChicago community members must comply with University data protection policies.

Restricted data should not be entered into PhoenixAI or any other third-party generative AI tool. Please see Policy 601 for definitions of confidential data and its use for more information.

For more information on data types, see the Data Classification Guide.