Pitt Offers Variety of AI Tools for Research and Learning

University provides access to AI resources like Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, and PittGPT to faculty, staff, and students

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The University of Pittsburgh is making a range of AI tools and resources available to faculty, staff, and students, including Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude for Education, NotebookLM, Microsoft Copilot Chat, and PittGPT. These AI tools can assist with tasks like research, writing, coding, and multimedia creation. However, the university cautions that these tools must be used carefully and in compliance with Pitt's policies on acceptable use of AI.

Why it matters

As AI technology advances rapidly, universities like Pitt are working to provide their communities with access to these powerful tools while also addressing concerns around data privacy, security, and the potential for AI systems to generate inaccurate information. Pitt's efforts to curate a suite of AI resources and educate users on their proper use aim to help faculty, staff, and students leverage AI to enhance their work while mitigating risks.

The details

Pitt's technology support services manager Luke Ferdinand detailed the various AI tools available to the university community. Google Gemini allows users to leverage their Pitt Google Drive data to get more personalized and relevant information. Anthropic Claude for Education focuses on ethical AI practices and can assist with tasks like strategic decision-making and coding. NotebookLM organizes web sources and documents to create learning materials. Microsoft Copilot Chat integrates with Office 365 to boost productivity. And PittGPT provides a secure way for faculty and staff to access ChatGPT using only Pitt data. Other free AI tools available include the Zoom AI companion and various Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

  • The presentation on 'Navigating Pitt's AI Resources for Research and Learning' was first given to Pitt librarians over the summer of 2025.
  • An online version of the presentation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on February 23, 2026.

The players

Luke Ferdinand

The technology support services manager for the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh.

Google Gemini

An AI tool available to Pitt faculty, staff, and students that can learn from data in their Pitt Google Drive accounts to provide more personalized and relevant information.

Anthropic Claude for Education

An AI tool focused on ethical practices that can assist with strategic decision-making, brainstorming, and coding.

NotebookLM

A Google AI tool that organizes web sources, documents, and PDFs to create learning materials like flashcards, reports, and podcasts.

Microsoft Copilot Chat

An AI tool integrated into Pitt's Microsoft Office 365 suite that can help users find information, summarize content, and automate tasks.

PittGPT

An AI tool available only to Pitt faculty and staff that allows them to access ChatGPT using only Pitt data, without putting university information at risk.

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What they’re saying

“The pace of technological change with AI is faster than ever.”

— Luke Ferdinand, technology support services manager for the University Library System (pitt.edu)

“What Google Gemini offers is that if you have a lot of information in your pitt.edu account's Google drive, it can learn about you, and it can learn about all the data that you've got in that drive, and it can use that to provide more accurate, relevant, local information to you when you're working on University information.”

— Luke Ferdinand, technology support services manager for the University Library System (pitt.edu)

“Gen AI tools are transformative. We're already seeing how useful they can be, but we're also seeing ways that they can trip us up. They can save you a lot of time. They can be helpful assistants and, used with care, they can elevate your experience here at the University of Pittsburgh.”

— Luke Ferdinand, technology support services manager for the University Library System (pitt.edu)

What’s next

An online version of the 'Navigating Pitt's AI Resources for Research and Learning' presentation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on February 23, 2026. Pitt faculty, staff, and students can register to attend.

The takeaway

Pitt is proactively providing its community with access to a variety of AI tools and resources to enhance research, learning, and productivity, while also educating users on the proper and ethical use of these transformative technologies. As AI continues to advance rapidly, universities like Pitt are working to empower their faculty, staff, and students to leverage these powerful tools while mitigating potential risks.