Ai-test

Here is a comprehensive webpage design and content structure tailored for the Digital Technology Services (DTS) department. It collates the University of Reading’s scattered AI guidance into a single, user-friendly hub, focusing on clear use cases and university-approved guidelines.

Artificial Intelligence at the University of Reading

Digital Technology Services (DTS)

Welcome to the University of Reading's central hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Generative AI tools (GenAI) are transforming how we work and learn. The University actively supports their responsible, ethical, and constructive use to enhance teaching, learning, and daily productivity, while strictly maintaining our academic standards and data security.

Whether you are a student, an academic, or a member of professional services, this page outlines what tools are available to you and how to use them safely.

Approved AI Tools at UoR

For security and data protection, DTS recommends and supports the following tools for university work. Note: Never input restricted, personal, or highly sensitive University data into any AI model.

  • Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat: The University-supported AI chatbot for staff and students. It operates in a protected environment and is ideal for day-to-day use (e.g., brainstorming, drafting, summarizing).

  • Blackboard AI Design Assistant: Available for academic staff directly within Blackboard. It provides a safe way to generate suggestions for course structures, rubrics, test questions, and images based entirely on your existing learning materials.

  • Microsoft Teams Premium: The only approved AI meeting assistant for capturing meeting transcripts, recaps, and action items. Third-party meeting bots (e.g., Otter.ai) are strictly prohibited due to privacy risks.

For Students: Using AI in Your Studies

AI can be a fantastic study companion when used ethically. You are at university to develop critical thinking—use AI to assist your learning process, not bypass it.

Understanding Your Assignments (The 3 Categories) Always check your Module Convenor's guidance before using AI. UoR assessments fall into three categories:

  1. Category 1: GenAI use is NOT permitted.
  2. Category 2: GenAI use is permitted to support learning, planning, and development.
  3. Category 3: GenAI use is actively encouraged as part of the assignment.

Student Use Cases

✅ DO Use AI For:

  • Beating Writer's Block: Generate prompts, thought maps, and structural ideas to kickstart an essay.

  • Refining Your Drafts: Write your own rough draft, then ask AI to suggest grammar improvements or smooth out the wording.

  • Revision & Practice: Ask AI to generate exam-style questions or explain complex, jargon-heavy concepts in simpler terms.

  • Coding Support: Generate, execute, debug, or optimize code snippets.

❌ DON'T Use AI For:

  • Writing your Assignment: Passing off AI-generated content as your own is academic misconduct (plagiarism).

  • Factual Research: AI can "hallucinate" or fabricate information and citations. Always verify facts using library resources.

For Staff: Teaching, Admin, and Research

Statistically, over 71% of education professionals use AI. The University encourages leveraging these tools for productivity and pedagogical innovation, provided IMPS (Information Management and Policy Services) data protection policies are strictly followed.

Staff & Researcher Use Cases

For Teaching & Course Design:

  • Drafting Course Elements: Use the Blackboard AI Design Assistant to quickly generate discussion prompts, learning module names, and grading rubrics based on your uploaded materials.

  • Developing Revision Materials: Generate examples of "poor" vs. "good" essays for students to critique in seminars, teaching them AI literacy and critical analysis.

  • Designing Alternative Explanations: Ask Copilot to explain a complex topic in three different ways to cater to diverse student learning needs.

For Administration & Daily Work:

  • Meeting Summaries: Use MS Teams Premium to securely transcribe meetings and automatically summarize key action points (ensure you have participant consent first).

  • Drafting Communications: Use Copilot Chat to draft initial outlines for reports, emails, or project timelines, reducing time spent on blank pages.

For Researchers & Doctoral Candidates:

  • Troubleshooting Data Scripts: Use AI to interpret code and troubleshoot scripts for data analysis.

  • Grant Applications (With Caution): You may use AI to refine the clarity of a proposal, but always check funder policies (e.g., UKRI, British Heart Foundation), as many require you to disclose GenAI use and strictly prohibit its use during peer-review activities.

Data Protection & Security: The Golden Rules

When using any AI tool, you must protect yourself and the University by following these core principles:

  1. No Restricted Data: Never input confidential information, intellectual property, or data relating to identified individuals into Generative AI models.
  2. Human Oversight is Mandatory: AI models can replicate human biases and confidently present false information. You remain accountable for any output you use.
  3. Protect IP: AI tools can inadvertently ignore intellectual property rights. Do not upload unpublished research or proprietary code.
  4. Declare Your Use: Transparency is key. Whether you are a student submitting coursework, a staff member designing a syllabus, or a researcher publishing a paper, always include a clear statement acknowledging how and where AI was used.

Need help? For technical support with approved tools, visit the [DTS IT Self Service Portal]. For pedagogical guidance, visit the [CQSD AI Guidance for Staff] or the [Student Essentials GenAI Guide].