The University's AI provision

All staff at the University of Oxford can now access a variety of generative AI (GenAI) tools, with free training to support their usage. This article summarises the available tools, where to get training and support, and any guidance and policy that staff should be aware of.  

A full overview, including links to case-studies and answers to frequently answered questions can be found on the GenAI at Oxford webpages. 

University-supported AI Platforms 

The University provides several enterprise-grade AI tools that have passed internal Third-Party Security Assessments (TPSA). Accessing these tools via Single Sign-On (SSO) ensures that user data is not used to train external AI models. Confidential data must only be used with the University's approved, SSO-protected platforms. 

These tools include: 

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  ChatGPT Edu – available for free to all current staff and students 

• Microsoft Copilot – both Copilot Chat (free) and Microsoft 365 Copilot (via paid licence) 
• Google AI tools including Gemini and NotebookLM  

Full details of available tools and how to access these can be found on the Generative AI tools page of the AI Competency Centre website. 

Free training and support 

There are various GenAI training providers across the University, providing in-house expertise: 

• AI Competency Centre – offers broadly applicable courses across all academic and professional disciplines and experience levels, including courses on Thinking about thinking with AI, AI in the writing process, and From zero to app development 
• Digital Capabilities (IT Services) – works in collaboration with the AI Competency Centre to deliver First steps and Next steps training online, in person, or in groups of 20 or more staff, to help people to get the best out of University-provided GenAI tools 
• Bodleian iSkills – includes training on using AI with information sources 
• Oxford University Language Centre – includes a course on Academic Writing with AI 
• OxRSE Training – provides AI training for the Oxford Research Software Engineering Group 
• Centre for Teaching and Learning – runs bespoke workshops on request, to support academic departments with implementing the University policy on AI Use in Summative Assessment. 

Staff can access technical and strategic support through multiple channels: 

• AI guides: The AI Competency Centre has published guides to help users get started with AI. These are available for different role types and specific tools. 
• Use cases: Inspiration from other GenAI users in a growing set of staff and student use cases produced by the AI Competency Centre 
• Consultancy: Bespoke workshops and project-specific guidance which can be requested via the AI Competency Centre’s Expression of Interest forms. 
• User communities: Staff can join the Generative AI Special Interest Group (SIG) or the AI Builders User Group (BUG) for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. 
• AI Ambassadors: Our growing peer network of engaged staff ambassadors across the University and Colleges. 

Policy and guidance 

The University also has policy and guidance on use of AI in professional services, education and research. Many departments and courses also offer more tailored policies on acceptable use of AI and students are advised to follow any guidance and advice from tutors or supervisors, department/faculty and colleges on using AI in specific academic areas or disciplines.  

Policy 

• AI Use in Summative Assessment policy 
• Policy for using Generative AI in Research: guidelines for researchers and professional staff 

Guidance 

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  Communications guidelines on the use of generative AI 

• Student guidance on safe and responsible use of Gen AI tools 
• Information Security: Use Generative AI services safely 

The AI Governance Group  brings together representatives from across the University and Colleges. It has recently published a set of broad, guiding principles for acceptable use of AI tools and agents at Oxford. These are supported by AI governance FAQs and a checklist of key considerations for departments, divisions and colleges to use when considering whether to procure or use an AI tool.