A lot of people know that Iowa has AI tools, but few may know about the programs, training sessions, and campus groups built around them. Explorer Grants can help cover the cost of a ChatGPT Edu license for testing an idea. AI Pathways works directly with departments on possible AI use cases. Monthly Lightning Talks and User Group sessions give people a way to hear what others are trying. Here is a quick starting point for what is out there.

The AI tools

The University of Iowa supports several AI tools, and each serves a different purpose. Before using one, make sure the university data you plan to use is appropriate for that tool. Any AI-generated content should be reviewed and verified by a person before it is used or shared.

• Copilot Chat does not require an additional license. It is open to all UI faculty, staff, and students, includes enterprise data protection, and works with information you bring to it directly. It does not pull from your email, OneDrive files, or Teams content.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot lives inside Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams and works with the Microsoft 365 content you have permission to access, including emails, files, meetings, and calendar. It requires an additional license for faculty and staff. It is separate from Copilot Chat, which is available to faculty, staff, and students without an additional license.
• ChatGPT Edu is the University of Iowa’s dedicated ChatGPT workspace. Faculty and staff with a license can use it for drafting, documentation, research support, and teaching-related work. It is not HIPAA compliant and is not approved for patient data.

The AI Tool Comparison Chart compares all supported tools by licensing, model options, Microsoft data access, image generation, and data security. It is faster than trying to remember the differences on your own. The Role-Specific Guidelines page is also worth a look if your question is less about features and more about what fits the work you do. 

Training sessions

The AI Support Team offers instructor-led sessions through MyLearning covering topics like Generative AI 101, ChatGPT Edu, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot in the apps, Copilot in Excel, Copilot Agents, and AI Prompting. The Learn about AI page has the full list and enrollment information. 

HawkAI courses through the Iowa Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (IIAI) helped a lot of people on campus get their footing with AI over the past year. HawkAI Level 1 is not being offered in Fall 2026. Check the IIAI website for updates on what is coming next. 

Two programs to help you start with AI

AI Explorer Grants cover the cost of a ChatGPT Edu license for individuals or small teams with a specific idea they want to test. You need an idea and a willingness to share what you learn. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

AI Pathways is for departments and units that want to think through a workflow, figure out what is realistic with AI, and identify where it might help. The AI Support Team works with you directly through the process, which typically runs three to four weeks. 

What people across campus are doing

AI Lightning Talks are short monthly sessions where people across campus share how they are using AI in their work. Past talks have covered web strategy, student life, UI Pharmaceuticals, special education, radiology, business analytics, social work, chemistry, health care, curriculum mapping, HR, and leadership communication. The next session is on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m. 

The AI Monthly User Group meets regularly and is open to faculty, staff, and students. It is a good setting for questions, updates, and hearing what others are working on.

Share what you are working on

The newsletter and the User Group are both better when more people contribute to them. If you have been using AI in a way others might learn from or want to suggest a future discussion, reach out to the AI Support Team at ITS-AISupportTeam@uiowa.edu. 

The AI Hub is the main starting point for tools, training, guidance, events, and support. And if you want to stay up to date on what is happening with AI at the University of Iowa, subscribe to the AI at Iowa newsletter.