There are many AI tools, designed for different tasks and situations.
Image: “Color pencil drawing of diverse college students using computers” prompt, Text to Image, Canva, 28 Aug. 2023, https://www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/.
This webpage was adapted from: Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence 2025 by Elon University and the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA license. You are free to share and adapt this work for noncommercial purposes, giving appropriate credit and using the same license as the original.
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, including ChatGPT, use powerful computers and lots of data to analyze prompts (instructions), data, and images. Then they generate an output (response), such as text, pictures or videos. These tools are based on technology called Large Language Models, which use machine learning to mimic humans’ ability to write, reason, solve problems, and make decisions.
ChatGPT and other GenAI tools were trained on a huge amount of online text, which the computers analyzed for patterns in the language. Some general lists of the training dataset exist, but the entire body of text that has trained ChatGPT is not public knowledge.
When ChatGPT provides an answer to a question, it is pulling predictive language from a wide variety of places, so the information usually doesn't come from a single source. Because of this, you typically cannot trace the response back to a single source or know for sure where the information came from.
The short answer is: maybe. When prompted, ChatGPT will provide references. But these references may not be where the information actually came from and, more importantly, may not be real sources. Despite sounding plausible, GenAI tools like ChatGPT can easily hallucinate (make up) citations and other information. This is because they are not actually thinking, they are generating text based on mathematics.
Where and how can you find and use AI? Well, it's almost everywhere, and there are many options...
Most of the major GenAI tools - like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini - have apps or websites that are free to use.
Tip: If you want to upgrade, or if you need a more specialized tool, test a few different tools before you subscribe.
Built into apps
Some web browsers and computer programs now have embedded AI capabilities you can use for tasks like summarizing, checking grammar, or organizing notes.
Be cautious! As with standalone GenAI, these may (or may not) be accurate and helpful.
Behind the scenes
AI is used in many platforms you may use every day for shopping, music, videos, social media, rides, and more.
Remember, even though these tools are powerful, they can still make mistakes!
Anywhere
Keep in mind: AI does not think, and it is not human. Powerful algorithms can simulate a human personality, but AI does not actually have emotions or feelings. Use these technology tools to support your human capabilities, not replace them.
The purpose of this guide is to help you think critically about GenAI and how it can help or hinder academic work. Like other new technologies, GenAI is not simply good or bad. It offers some new and exciting ways to access, create, and interact with information. But relying on it too much may get in the way of your own learning process.
STCC’s Academic Honesty Policy details how cheating (using unauthorized assistance) and plagiarism (copying from one or more sources) are not allowed in school. Unless your class professor has said otherwise, this includes using GenAI tools for coursework.
Students, please first check with your professors about whether using AI to help with coursework is acceptable before trying it for any assignments.