AI tools are becoming a regular part of teaching, research, and administrative work across the University of Iowa. As more tools become available, one of the most common questions we hear is: Which AI tool should I use?

The answer depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

PowerPoint presentations don’t work well for analytical work, and the same is true for AI tools. Different AI tools are designed for different types of work. Currently, the University of Iowa offers several supported options, each with strengths that make it a better fit for certain tasks.

Before choosing a tool, start with the university's AI resources:

• Learn what AI tools are available
• AI Tool Comparison Chart

These resources provide details about licensing, capabilities, and data considerations so you can make informed decisions. Below is a summary of each supported tool.

Copilot Chat

For many people, Copilot Chat is the best place to begin. Available to all university faculty, staff, and students, Copilot Chat provides enterprise data protection.

Consider Copilot Chat when you need to:

• Draft an email.
• Create an agenda.
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Summarize a document.
• Generate images.
• Learn about a new topic.
• Analyze information from the web.

Because Copilot Chat does not connect to your Microsoft 365 content, it is best suited for general work, rather than tasks requiring access to your email, files, or meetings.

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is best suited for people who spend much of their day working in Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft applications.

Unlike Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot can work with the Microsoft content you already have access to, including your emails, documents, meetings, chats, and calendar information. This allows it to provide more personalized and context-aware assistance.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is often a good choice when you want to:

• Draft documents in Word.
• Summarize lengthy email threads.
• Prepare for meetings.
• Create presentations from existing content.
• Analyze spreadsheet data.
• Follow up on action items from Teams meetings.

If you're regularly switching between Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, Microsoft 365 Copilot can help automate some routine tasks and reduce the time spent searching for information.

Claude Opus: Available as a Model Choice in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Many people are familiar with Claude, an AI tool known for strong writing support, summarization, and analysis of longer content. Faculty and staff with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license can access Claude Opus as a model option in supported Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences. It is not a separate Claude account or website.

Claude Opus is covered by the same enterprise protections as Microsoft 365 Copilot and can be useful when you want an alternative approach to writing, analysis, summarization, or content development.

ChatGPT Edu

ChatGPT Edu is available to faculty and staff for an additional fee and offers enterprise data protection. This AI tool includes many of the features people expect from ChatGPT, including web browsing, data analysis, custom GPT creation, file uploads, and higher usage limits. Although it may have fewer model choices than some consumer versions, it is still a strong option for complex writing, analysis, and content development.

Many users find ChatGPT Edu helpful for:

• Creating project plans.
• Drafting reports and documentation.
• Conducting research support activities.
• Building custom GPTs.
• Performing detailed document analysis.
• Supporting complex writing projects.

It is particularly valuable when you need advanced generative AI capabilities that go beyond everyday document and email work. Users can generate up to three images and use deep research up to five times within a rolling 24-hour period. Deep research is helpful when you need a more thorough, detailed response.

Which tool should you choose?