Research Guides: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): Practice

Uses of GenAI

Ask the GenAI tool to write a poem.
As a follow-up (iteration), ask the tool to change its style of language, theme, or form to be more specific based on your interests.
You can ask for multiple poems if one isn't enough! When the tool has finished creating a revised poem, in the same chat ask it to write several additional poems or variations. Note the similarities and differences.
Finally, ask the tool what other capabilities it has in writing poetry, and continue to experiment as-needed.

Think about your favorite dish, or a dish you have enjoyed in the past and want to learn to create.
Ask the GenAI tool to provide you with a recipe for making this dish.
Reflect on the output. Is anything missing? You can ask it to modify the dish with specific ingredients, styles, and so on.
Ask the GenAI tool to revise the recipe in a way that handles a dietary restriction.
Think about someone else in your life you might ask to join you in cooking/baking this dish.
Tell the GenAI tool you would like this recipe to designed for you and the other person (or people). Notice the changes in the recipe.

Ask the GenAI tool to give you tips on how to be a successful student.
Notice the information the GenAI tool provides. What would you like to learn more about?
Ask the GenAI tool to expand on one of the tips.
Provide the GenAI tool with agreement, disagreement, or another thought. See how it responds!

Think about a task at your current or future workplace.
What kind of document might be useful to you when you're doing your job?
For example, you might work in HR and need to craft a new-hire email. You can ask the GenAI tool to write this email as a template for you to use.
For this exercise, ask the GenAI tool to create the document.
Reflect on what it created and how it might help. Are there any issues you have with the output? What might require a "human touch" to make the document more effective and higher quality?

GenAI usage exists across disciplines and is used in different ways depending on need
Some students use GenAI tools like ChatGPT as their "Copilot" or Virtual Tutor

Online access requirements: many of these tools require an active Internet connection to use
There are typically financial costs for premium models / features, and these costs can change at any time

Note: use these tools with caution and critically consider their functionality and output.

Note: use these tools with caution and critically consider their functionality and output.

Communicate with your professor from the start of your course about GenAI expectations
Look for syllabus / assignment language on how/how much you can use GenAI tools, if at all
Be aware of differing opinions on GenAI across the college; some professors love GenAI, some hate GenAI
Stay up to date on news and trends with GenAI
Consult with a librarian for best practices and any information about GenAI at the college
As with any technology, acknowledge over-reliance
Include statements of use and citations when using a GenAI tool

GenAI is being integrated with a variety of pre-existing technology, including Microsoft Windows and Office, the Adobe Suite, and more
Common outputs for creating and editing include:
- Business documents and templates
- Emails and meeting agendas
- Speeches and formal announcements
- Translations / localizations
- Simple code for computer programming
Visual outputs for virtual environments and images are changing a variety of workflows and impacting many industries
GenAI may threaten certain jobs and evolve others, as time is saved and productivity is increased
GenAI may open opportunities for more creativity and evaluative thinking