Approved AI Tools for Campus

The university provides a variety of AI tools and resources for campus. Many of these tools are free or available for an additional cost.

AI Tools for Faculty, Staff and GAs (May Require Additional Approval from Units)

The following AI tools are available and approved for use by University of Arkansas faculty, staff and graduate assistants.

Microsoft Copilot Chat (already included with Microsoft account): a lightweight chat experience built into Windows and Edge browsers for quick Q&A, web research, brainstorming, and writing help. Learn more.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 (for purchase by units): an AI assistant embedded in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams that accelerates everyday productivity. View more information on this tool and how to acquire licenses.
OpenAI ChatGPT Edu (for purchase by units): an institution-optimized AI platform for teaching, research, and administrative work with FERPA-aligned privacy and enterprise controls. Learn more about this tool and how to request a license.
Google Gemini for Education (available at no additional cost): Google's AI assistant that offers help with writing, planning, brainstorming and more. Learn more on how to access Google Gemini.
Google NotebookLM (available at no additional cost): an AI-powered research partner that can summarize PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Google Docs, Google Slides and more to find connections between topics. View more details on how to access Google NotebookLM.

While ChatGPT Edu and Microsoft Copilot 365 require a license, Microsoft Copilot Chat, Google Gemini and Google NotebookLM are currently available to all UARK account holders at no additional cost.

Employees can submit a ticket with the IT Help Desk if they experience access issues with any of the university-approved AI tools. If users need help deciding which AI tool is best for them, they can view this comparison guide.

University Guidance on Purchasing AI Tools for Student Use

The University of Arkansas supports the thoughtful and responsible use of artificial intelligence to enhance learning, research, and productivity. As a starting point, the university provides several institution‑approved AI tools at no cost to students, with appropriate safeguards in place.

Current no‑cost AI tools available to students include:

These tools are available to all students using their UARK credentials. As with many free or institution‑licensed tools, feature availability is limited compared to paid consumer versions, and faculty and students should be aware of those constraints when selecting a tool for their work. Students are responsible for complying with all university policies, state and federal regulations, and academic integrity expectations when using University AI tools.

Restrictions on University Purchased AI Licenses by Students

At this time, the university cannot allow students to directly purchase individual licenses for tools such as Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 or ChatGPT Plus/Enterprise through university procurement systems. These tools are not available as centrally supported or institution wide offerings for students to purchase individually. Additional guidance on purchasing licenses for students is provided below:

Student Purchased AI Tools (Personal Accounts)

Students may choose to independently purchase AI tools (such as Copilot or ChatGPT) directly from vendors (e.g., Microsoft or OpenAI), provided:

The information used is publicly available, and
No sensitive, restricted, or university protected data is entered into the tool.

Students remain responsible for complying with all university policies, state and federal regulations, and academic integrity expectations when using non university AI tools.

Department Funded Options for Student Access

Purchasing University AI Licenses for all Students in a Course

If a department wishes to fund access to a paid University AI tool for students, the software can be purchased directly on the student’s behalf if it is provided for all the students in the class. Departments who wish to purchase university licenses would submit requests to contract@uark.edu and follow the normal university processes.

Purchasing Non-University AI Licenses for a Course

If a department wishes to fund access to a paid non-university supported AI tool for students, the software can be purchased directly on the student’s behalf if it is provided for all the students in the class. Departments must submit this tool exception request form for approval. Once approved, they should follow standard university purchasing processes.

Purchasing AI Tools for a Student Employee

If a department wishes to fund access to a paid University AI tool for a student employee as part of their employment, departments should follow the standard tool request process.

Purchasing AI Tools for Individual Students

If a department wishes to fund access to a paid AI tool for students, the software cannot be purchased directly on the student’s behalf if it is not available to all students in a course. In these cases, funding must be provided to the student and reported as financial aid. You cannot purchase a university license for students in this case. Funds must be distributed to the student, and the student can purchase a license. Please note there is a possibility that a student may have already reached their maximum aid eligibility.

There are two approved mechanisms for distributing funds to students so they may purchase their own licenses:

Fellowship/Stipend/Tuition Award Notice: Departments may use the Fellowship/Stipend/Tuition Award Noticeform. This form is available under “Forms”at the bottom of the Office of Sponsored Programs website.
Scholarship via Notice of Student Support: Departments may alternatively process the funds as a scholarship. If using this option, the department will need to coordinate with their college’s scholarship officer and ensure they follow the Scholarship Criteria, Evaluation and Records Policy.

The university strongly encourages faculty and students to begin with institution‑approved AI tools whenever possible to ensure equitable access, appropriate data protections, and compliance with university policies.

Google Accelerator Program (Requires license and approval from Provost’s Office)

Last fall, the U of A joined the first cohort of the Google AI for Education Accelerator program, an initiative that provides free access to Google Career Certificates and AI Essentials training for students, faculty and staff at more than 100 public universities.

This program provides professional-level training in data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, UX design, digital marketing and e-commerce, and IT support, among others. The program is free; however, a license is required to participate. Licenses are provided for a fixed period of time depending on need. To request a free license, please complete this form. Licenses are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community of Practice

The University of Arkansas has developed a community of practice for campus to share information as it relates to AI literacy, data responsibility, training and policy updates. This community of practice provides a forum for faculty, staff and students to post AI usage questions and share lessons learned. Codes of Conduct for all students and U of A employees apply to all posts. The community of practice is monitored and certified answers from University Information Technology Services (UITS) staff are indicated with a green checkmark. Learn more.

Tool Exception Request

If an employee or student would like to use an AI tool that isn't approved, this tool exception request form will need to be completed.