Can I use other generative AI/LLM tools besides Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot with enterprise data protection is available to all UAlbany faculty and staff. When you sign in with your University account, Copilot provides advanced security features that safeguard institutional data. Information processed through Copilot is encrypted and never used to train the underlying model, making it a safer choice for University-related work.

Why choose Copilot?
Unlike many third-party AI tools, Copilot is integrated with Microsoft 365 and designed to meet enterprise security and compliance standards. This means you can work confidently knowing your data remains protected.

What about other AI tools?
ITS supports the use of Microsoft Copilot when accessed through your University account, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, which provides enterprise data protection and compliance safeguards.

Some large language models (LLMs) developed by third parties may be available as selectable options within Microsoft 365 Copilot for users who hold a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. When used in this way, these models, for example, Claude (Opus), operate entirely within the Microsoft Copilot environment and are subject to Microsoft’s enterprise security, privacy, and data protection controls.

This does not constitute a separate University license for those tools, and ITS support applies to the Microsoft Copilot service, not to any individual underlying model. Standalone or consumer versions of third‑party AI tools remain unsupported for use with University data.

Protecting institutional data remains critical.
Before using any AI service, consider the sensitivity of the information you’re sharing. For guidance on what types of data can be safely used in Copilot, visit the Microsoft Copilot page for best practices and additional resources.