Welcome to our curated guide to the most widely used generative AI tools currently available to the Rotman School community. Designed specifically for graduate-level faculty and staff at here at Rotman, this resource provides a clear, organized overview of leading platforms across text generation, research support, coding assistance, and creative media production. As the use of generative AI continues to expand in teaching, research, and administration, understanding the capabilities, costs, and appropriate use cases of these tools is essential. Whether you’re exploring AI integration in your classroom, evaluating platforms for grant-funded research, or simply seeking secure, university-approved solutions, this guide will help you make informed decisions grounded in functionality, privacy, and pedagogical alignment.
When deciding whether and how to integrate generative AI into your work, it is valuable to consider which tools are institutionally supported at the University of Toronto and operate within U of T’s protected digital environment, ensuring institutional support and compliance with university policies. Please visit the CTSI website for more general information about supported tools. Note that the University of Toronto’s data classification groups U of T data into four levels based on its importance, sensitivity and potential for misuse. Examples of acceptable data use for each tool is available in the Data Classification column.
| Tool | Primary Use | Data Classification | |||
| Microsoft Protected Copilot Chat | With Microsoft Copilot Chat, you can ask the AI chatbot questions and get detailed responses with footnotes that link back to original sources. Because it is connected to Microsoft’s search engine, it has the ability to provide users with up-to-date information and real links, which may make it a better research and teaching tool than ChatGPT. The Microsoft Copilot service is currently available to the public, but the public version does not have full privacy and data protections; instead, the University has access to an enterprise edition, which does conform to the University’s usual privacy and data protections. This document describes how Faculty, students and staff (with access to the Microsoft toolkit) can access this protected version of Copilot.Available for all students, staff, and instructors. | Up to Level 3 | |||
| ChatGPT Edu | ChatGPT Edu is an advanced version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offering enhanced security and privacy protections. This tool is designed to produce a wide array of outputs, including text, images, and executable code from various inputs such as text, files, or images.As a chatbot tool, ChatGPT Edu can help with tasks like answering questions, drafting documents, summarizing text, creating images, or automating processes. Available to the University of Toronto through an enterprise agreement with OpenAI, the contract ensures UofT data is stored safely and not used for training OpenAI models. Users will have access to the latest model of ChatGPT, including features like Advanced Data Analysis, GPT Builder tool, DALL·E image creation/editing.Video resources: https://teaching.utoronto.ca/tool-guides/chatgpt-edu/ | Up to Level 3 | |||
| M365 Copilot | Microsoft Copilot is a brand of generative artificial intelligence developed by Microsoft, currently based on OpenAI technology. Within Microsoft 365 (M365) applications, M365 Copilot is a virtual agent that can generate contextual content when prompted, based in part on the documents in OneDrive and SharePoint to which the user has access. Please note that the M365 Copilot version of Copilot is different from the Protected Edition of Copilot Search and requires an additional fee-for-service license.The version that is fully integrated with Office 365 for staff and instructors. | Up to Level 3 | |||
| Teams Premium | AI meeting assistant for staff and instructors; request via the ESC | ||||
| Contact North Teacher’s Assistant Pro | Contact North AI Teacher’s Assistant Pro is a Generative AI instructor aid developed by Contact North | Contact Nord. Features of this tool are:Teaching and instructional design assistant to help you with any topic or subject.Draft multiple-choice tests and exams with AI-powered efficiency.Generate ideas for course descriptions, outcomes, and syllabi with a few clicks.Time efficiency and partial task automation.Assisted assessment creation and content creation support.While the output of the tool can partially automate some tasks and provide helpful ideas for content and assessment development, educators should treat it as a starting point, and not as a replacement for sound and intentional instructional design. View CTSI’s resources on course design for guidance or book a personal consultation.Available for all, but focused on instructor and course designer roles. | Levels 1 & 2 | |||
| Contact North AI Tutor Pro | AI Tutor Pro is a Generative AI student study tool developed by Contact North | Contact Nord.This student-facing tool is designed to be a studying aid for students.Instructors can use this tool to test out the results with their own subject matter to verify if this tool may be helpful to share with your students.This tool, or similar tools, might be used by students in your class. Instructors might want to be aware of the capabilities of tools like these when developing learning activities and assessments. Instructors should also be very clear with their students about the acceptable use of Generative AI tools in your class.If students are considering using Generative AI tools as study aids, this tool has been evaluated by the University’s Information Security team, and it has been deemed safe to use with Level One and Level Two data but should not be used with private, sensitive, personally identifiable or confidential information.Available for all, but focused for students. | Levels 1 & 2 | |||
| Azure AI Foundry | Azure AI Foundry is a unified platform that empowers teams to design, customize, manage, and support AI applications and agents. | ||||
| Web of Science (WoS) Research Assistant Tool | Multidisciplinary Article Database; managed by UTL | ||||
| Scopus AI | Multidisciplinary Article Database; managed by UTL | ||||
These tools excel at producing high-quality written content, simulating academic dialogue, and supporting a range of administrative, instructional, and research communication needs. Faculty and staff can use them for drafting proposals, generating feedback, or exploring new forms of scholarly interaction.
| Tool | Key Uses | Vendor and Cost | UofT Status | Data Classification |
| ChatGPT | Text generation, coding, reasoning, multimodal inputs | OpenAIFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| ChatGPT Edu | An education-specific version of ChatGPT designed for schools and universities, with enhanced privacy, cost-effectiveness, and access to advanced models. | OpenAI$20/month | A limited number of licenses are available to University of Toronto faculty and staff through an enterprise agreement with OpenAI, the contract ensures UofT data is stored safely and not used for training OpenAI models. Users will have access to the latest model of ChatGPT, including features like Advanced Data Analysis, GPT Builder tool, DALL·E image creation/editing. | Up to Level 3 |
| Claude | Ethical and detailed reasoning, summaries, safer chat | AnthropicFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| Gemini | Multimodal AI assistant, integrates with Google Workspace | GoogleFree; Advanced: $19.99/month via Google One | None | Level 1 |
| Perplexity AI | Conversational search engine with citations and web access | Perplexity.aiFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
Use-cases for Text Generation and Conversational AI tools:
- Generating First Drafts of Case-Based Teaching Materials – Faculty can use AI to quickly draft outlines, discussion questions, or sample analysis memos for case studies in finance, marketing, strategy, or operations. The AI can simulate responses from different stakeholder perspectives (e.g., CFO, HR lead, investor), helping instructors develop richer classroom conversations faster.
- Preparing Tailored Summaries of Academic or Industry Reports – Faculty and staff can use AI tools to generate concise, audience-specific summaries of dense academic articles, consulting white papers, or regulatory documents. These outputs can support classroom prep, executive education materials, or briefings for advisory board members.
- Drafting Internal Communications, Reports, or Grant Narratives – Administrative staff and research leads can use generative AI to draft professional-quality communications—like calls for proposals, newsletter updates, or early-stage research center reports. The tools can adapt tone and structure for stakeholder-specific audiences (e.g., alumni, donors, deans, or funding agencies).
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT is a specialized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, industries, or audiences, created using custom instructions, files, and APIs. The presence of a particular GPT on this site does not constitute an endorsement or verification of its quality, accuracy, or appropriateness. Here is an example for each use case above:
- AI Humanizer. – This GPT humanizes AI-generated text, maintaining content meaning and quality.
- Financial Report Summarizer – Summarizes financial reports for publicly traded companies.
- Writing Assistant – Improves writing by fixing spelling, grammar, enhancing clarity, refining tone, and suggesting improvements.
Designed to accelerate literature reviews and synthesize complex information, these platforms help users distill insights from large volumes of academic and grey literature. They are particularly useful for grant development, curriculum design, and interdisciplinary exploration.
| Tool | Key Uses | Vendor and Cost | UofT Status | Data Classification |
| Gemini Deep Research | Long-form research summaries, file-based analysis, voice readouts | GoogleFree; Advanced: $19.99/month | None | Level 1 |
| Claude | Ethical and detailed reasoning, summaries, safer chat | AnthropicFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| ChatGPT | Text generation, coding, reasoning, multimodal inputs | OpenAIFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| Perplexity AI | Conversational search engine with citations and web access | Perplexity.aiFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
Use-cases for Research & Knowledge Synthesis AI tools:
- Accelerating Literature Reviews for Grant Proposals and Journal Submissions – AI tools can rapidly scan hundreds of academic and grey literature sources to extract key themes, methodological trends, and citation patterns. This supports faster framing of research questions and positioning within fields like behavioral finance, organizational theory, or supply chain management.
- Synthesizing Market Trends and Competitive Intelligence for Case Development – Faculty developing new teaching cases can use generative AI to pull together recent news, analyst commentary, earnings call summaries, and regulatory filings across industries. This enables faster, well-sourced creation of contextual backgrounds and time-sensitive strategy discussions.
- Drafting White Papers or Policy Briefs from Complex Internal Data – Faculty or research centers can upload institutional reports, datasets, and stakeholder interviews to AI platforms to generate structured executive summaries, key insights, and tailored versions for funders, partners, or government bodies. This is especially useful in cross-sector research initiatives such as health economics, fintech, or climate risk.
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT is a specialized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, industries, or audiences, created using custom instructions, files, and APIs. The presence of a particular GPT on this site does not constitute an endorsement or verification of its quality, accuracy, or appropriateness. Here is an example for each use case above:
- Litmaps – Quickly find papers on your topic, visualize your research, and accelerate your entire literature review.
- Competitive Intelligence – This GPT specializes in analyzing market trends, competitor strategies, and evolving customer needs to support informed business decision-making. It delivers professional, fact-based insights to ensure strategic relevance and current intelligence.
- Technical White Paper GPT – Guides users in creating effective, technical white papers.
These generative AI tools support personalized learning, automated tutoring, and enhanced student feedback at scale. Instructors can deploy them to create adaptive content, respond to student queries, or streamline instructional workflows.
| Tool | Key Uses | Vendor and Cost | UofT Status | Data Classification |
| All Day TA | Custom course assistant built for university teaching | Rotman / Approx. $2.50 CAD per student per course | Private company founded by Rotman faculty. Contracted with Rotman but no specific approval from UofT. | Level 1 |
| Microsoft Copilot Chat | Detailed responses with footnotes that link back to original sources. Because it is connected to Microsoft’s search engine, it has the ability to provide users with up-to-date information and real links. | Microsoft / OpenAIIncluded in Microsoft 365 at UofT for students, faculty and staff | The Microsoft Copilot service is currently available to the public, but the public version does not have full privacy and data protections; instead, the University has access to an enterprise edition, which does conform to the University’s usual privacy and data protections. This document describes how Faculty, students and staff (with access to the Microsoft toolkit) can access this protected version of Copilot. | Up to Level 3 |
| Cogniti | Cogniti enables the authoring of generative AI virtual tutors tailored for students to engage with course content and facilitate learning. Cogniti also incorporates key educational features designed for instructors to gain insight into students’ engagement with the platform. | Independently built pilot platform from the University of SydneyFree | A generative AI platform that the University of Toronto is piloting as part of the next phase of the Virtual Tutor Initiative. | Up to Level 3 |
| ChatGPT | Text generation, coding, reasoning, multimodal inputs | OpenAIFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| Claude | Ethical and detailed reasoning, summaries, safer chat | AnthropicFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
- Creating Adaptive Practice Scenarios for Case-Based Learning – Faculty can use tools like ChatGPT Edu to design personalized scenario variations based on core case materials, allowing MBA students to explore different decisions, stakeholder perspectives, or market outcomes. This supports richer discussion and critical thinking in capstone or strategy seminars.
- On-Demand Academic Writing Support for Students – Staff or instructors can embed AI tools into writing support programs or LMS platforms to help students refine executive summaries, stakeholder memos, or reflective journals—while guiding them on ethical use. ChatGPT Edu’s institutional safeguards make it safer for student-facing deployment.
- Generating Lecture Slides and Speaking Notes from Source Materials – Faculty can use Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT Edu to transform research articles, case studies, or technical documents into professional slide decks and speaking notes tailored to different course levels. This accelerates prep time while supporting alignment with course learning outcomes and accessibility standards.
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT. is a specialized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, industries, or audiences, created using custom instructions, files, and APIs. The presence of a particular GPT on this site does not constitute an endorsement or verification of its quality, accuracy, or appropriateness. Here is an example for each use case above:
- Case Study Analyst – MBA level analyst for case studies.
- Business Writing Assistant – Refines text using insights from Business Writing books.
- CanvaPRO — Slides & Presentations Generator – Create stunning slides, business presentations, pitch decks, infographics, and posters with Canva GPT. Powered by AI, design faster than ever for meetings, webinars, portfolios & social media. Works great with Visme, Prezi, Pitch, Google Slides, and PowerPoint too!
These AI tools provide real-time code suggestions, explanations, and debugging support across a variety of programming languages. They are well-suited for both computational research projects and curriculum development in data science, engineering, and digital humanities.
| Tool | Key Uses | Vendor and Cost | UofT Status | Data Classification |
| GitHub Copilot | Code autocompletion and context-aware programming assistant | GitHub / OpenAIFree for students; $10/month individual; $19/month business | None | Level 1 |
| ChatGPT | Text generation, coding, reasoning, multimodal inputs | OpenAIFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| Claude | Ethical and detailed reasoning, summaries, safer chat | AnthropicFree; Pro: $20/month | None | Level 1 |
| Cohere Command R+ | Retrieval-augmented generation, enterprise search | Cohere (Canada)Free trial; Contact sales for pricing | None | Level 1 |
| DeepSeek | Open-source LLM for reasoning, code, and document tasks | DeepSeek AI (China)Free; API: ~$0.55/million input tokens | None | Level 1 |
| Mistral | Lightweight open-source LLM, competitive with GPT-3.5 | Mistral AI (France)Free (open-source); API: pay-as-you-go | None | Level 1 |
| LLaMA | Open-source foundational model for academic and dev research | Meta (Facebook)Free (open-source) | None | Level 1 |
- Developing Custom Dashboards or Simulations for Teaching – Faculty teaching analytics, finance, or operations courses can use AI coding tools to build Python or R-based dashboards, Monte Carlo simulations, or pricing models that visualize concepts like risk, inventory, or portfolio optimization. These tools reduce the barrier to incorporating interactive coding elements into business pedagogy.
- Prototyping Research Tools or Experimental Interfaces – Researchers can quickly generate prototypes for behavioral economics experiments, survey logic (e.g., in Qualtrics with custom JS), or data collection pipelines using AI code assistants. This is especially useful in research centers or labs where time and funding are constrained but customization is needed.
- Automating Repetitive Administrative or Teaching Tasks with Scripts – Staff members supporting course administration or research can use generative AI to write scripts that automate workflows such as renaming and sorting student files, scraping data from public websites (e.g., for ESG case examples), or generating reports from Excel sheets—enhancing productivity and reducing manual errors.
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT. is a specialized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, industries, or audiences, created using custom instructions, files, and APIs. The presence of a particular GPT on this site does not constitute an endorsement or verification of its quality, accuracy, or appropriateness. Here is an example for each use case above:
- Python – A highly sophisticated GPT tailored for Python, optimized for both /canvas and /notebook. See the new /commands.
- UX UI Webpage Generator – Designs wireframes, mockups, color palettes, prototypes, and HTML pages.
- Excel AI – Powerful data analysis assistant.
These platforms generate images, illustrations, and videos from text prompts or conceptual inputs, enabling rapid creation of visual and multimedia teaching assets. They are ideal for lecture design, knowledge mobilization, online course production, and academic storytelling.
| Tool | Key Uses | Vendor and Cost | UofT Status | Data Classification |
| DALL·E 3 (Natively integrated with ChatGPT) | Image generation with text-guided prompts and inpainting | OpenAIIncluded in ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) | None | Level 1 |
| Google Veo | Generative video model capable of producing high-fidelity, cinematic quality videos from text prompts, camera guidance, and editing input. | Google DeepMindCurrently in limited preview; expected to be included in enterprise or creative cloud tiers | None | Level 1 |
| HeyGen | AI video generation with talking avatars, voice cloning, and multi-language support | HeyGenFree trial; Paid plans from $24/month | None | Level 1 |
- Creating Custom Visuals for Cases, Slides, or Program Marketing – Faculty and staff can use image generation tools like DALL·E 3 or Ideogram to create tailored illustrations, business environment scenes, or branded infographics that visually represent case study settings, strategic frameworks, or course outcomes. This enhances the visual clarity and professionalism of teaching materials and outreach collateral.
- Producing Video Introductions and Summaries for Online Courses or Events – Using tools like HeyGen, instructors or program managers can generate short, polished video messages—complete with AI-generated avatars or branded visuals—to welcome students, introduce modules, or summarize weekly takeaways. These videos improve student engagement in hybrid, asynchronous, or executive education settings.
- Rapid Prototyping of Campaign Concepts for Marketing or Entrepreneurship Courses – Instructors teaching marketing, branding, or innovation can use generative image and video tools to mock up ad campaigns, packaging visuals, or retail environments for student critique and testing. This supports experiential learning by giving students immediate creative assets to analyze and iterate on.
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT. is a specialized version of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks, industries, or audiences, created using custom instructions, files, and APIs. The presence of a particular GPT on this site does not constitute an endorsement or verification of its quality, accuracy, or appropriateness. Here is an example for each use case above:
- CanvaPRO — Slides & Presentations Generator – Create stunning slides, business presentations, pitch decks, infographics, and posters with Canva GPT. Powered by AI, design faster than ever for meetings, webinars, portfolios & social media. Works great with Visme, Prezi, Pitch, Google Slides, and PowerPoint too!
- Video AI – Generate engaging videos with voiceovers in any language.
- CanvaGPT — Ad Campaign & Banner Designer – Design eye-catching ad creatives, banners, and social media ads using Canva.