As AI tools show up in more conversations, so do rumors. Some are harmless, but others can keep people from using supported tools or following data rules. This myth-busting guide clears up some common misunderstandings about AI at Iowa.

Myth: "There’s only one official AI tool; everything else is off-limits."

Fact: Iowa continues to support and explore a range of AI tools, including Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and ChatGPT Edu. Each is licensed and configured for specific scenarios and data types. The AI Tools page and AI Tool Comparison Chart explain which tools are available to you, what they can do, and what data classifications they can safely handle.

Myth: “ITS admins can see everything I type into an AI tool.”

Fact: Public AI tools may retain your prompts under the vendor’s terms, but that does not mean ITS can watch your conversations in real time. Iowa-supported tools have enterprise protections and logging appropriate to institutional systems. Our enterprise-supported AI tools conversations are not used to train public models. However, you should still treat prompts as institutional content and avoid entering data that violates University policies.

Myth: “Other Copilot users can see my conversations with Copilot in Teams.” 
Fact: Your Copilot prompts are not visible to other Teams users. Copilot responses in chats or meetings follow the same access rules as the rest of Microsoft 365: people only see content they already have permission to view. If you ask Copilot a question inside a private chat, that conversation remains private. If you use Copilot in a shared Teams channel or meeting, its summaries or suggestions are based on content that channel already contains. Copilot does not broadcast your personal prompts to colleagues. It is only between you and Copilot.

Myth: "Copilot isn’t as smart as ChatGPT. "
Fact: Copilot and ChatGPT draw on similar underlying models, but they are designed for different purposes. Copilot works inside Microsoft 365 and can use the files, messages, and permissions you already have in Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams. This makes it better for University-related tasks, even if it produces answers that feel more structured and work-focused. Choosing between the tools depends on your task, not on which is “smarter.”

Myth: “Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot are the same thing.”

Fact: Copilot Chat is available to all faculty, staff, and students and is designed for general questions and brainstorming. It does not automatically access your University emails or files. Microsoft 365 Copilot is a licensed add-on that works inside Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, using content you already store in Microsoft 365 under existing permissions. Guidance on when to use each tool can help you pick the right option for your task.

Myth: "If AI can help, it is fine to upload any University data."

Fact: No. Public AI tools must never receive University Internal, Restricted, or Critical data. Even with Iowa-supported tools, you must follow data-classification rules and consult the security office, when you work with higher-risk data.

If you hear a new AI “rule” that sounds surprising, check it against official information on the AI hub, AI Tools page, or teaching and research guidance in your department.

Explore the AI Tools page and AI Tool Comparison Chart to learn more about supported options, and send your questions or myths to the AI Support Team while subscribing to the AI at Iowa newsletter for future updates.