AI Tools Hub
Explore, learn, and innovate with university-approved AI tools
The AI Tools Hub is the University's centralized resource for approved AI tools, practical use cases, and guidance for responsible AI adoption.
This site provides information on approved AI tools that meet UH security, privacy, and compliance standards, as well as guidance on non-approved tools and appropriate personal-use considerations outside of UH work environments.
Why Do Approved Tools Matter?
UH-approved tools are vetted to operate within secure environments, restrict data sharing, and align with UH security and compliance standards. Examples where using UH-approved tools are required:
- Student using AI tools to analyze group project data that includes identifiable information about peers, survey respondents, or study participants
- Faculty uploading a student roster with PSIDs into an AI tool to analyze grade distribution and identify performance trends
- Staff member using AI to analyze research spending trends with spreadsheets that include faculty names, account numbers, and budget allocations
- Researcher analyzing unpublished study data or datasets containing human subject information using AI tools for summarization, pattern detection, or drafting reports
Click here to learn what data classifications are permitted for use with approved AI tools.
How are You Using AI?
Tell us how you are using AI to improve teaching, learning, research, and daily work across the university. Your feedback helps us better understand how AI technologies are creating value at UH and where we can better support innovation and responsible adoption.
Data Security and AI Tools
Data Classifications
University of Houston System (UHS) has three data classifications.
| Data Level | Description | Examples |
| Level 1 | Highly sensitive or regulated university data that requires the highest level of protection due to legal, privacy, financial, research, or operational risk. Unauthorized access or disclosure could significantly impact individuals or university operations. | Student records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA), financial aid data (GLBA), personally identifiable information (PII), Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical records, transcripts, grade reports, grant-funded or restricted research data, mission-critical operational data |
| Level 2 | Internal university information intended for limited access within UH that may be subject to public records requests, operational controls, or institutional review. Unauthorized disclosure could create moderate institutional, legal, or reputational risk. | Personnel records, internal emails, text messages, voicemails, meeting materials, procurement documents, contracts, bidding information, internal reports, operational communications |
| Level 3 | Publicly available information approved for open distribution with minimal or no restrictions on access or sharing. Disclosure of this information presents little to no risk to the university. | Public university websites, press releases, marketing materials, published reports, flyers, publicly available policies, event announcements, course catalogs |
Comparison Matrix
The following table indicates what data level is authorized for each UH-supported and approved AI tool:
| Level 3 Data Public |
Level 2 Data Controlled |
Level 1 Data Confidential |
Available For | Cost | |
| Free/Personal AI Tools | Yes | No | No | n/a | n/a |
| Uses CougarNet Login |
|||||
| ChatGPT EDU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Faculty | $0 |
| Google Gemini | Yes | Yes | Yes | Students and Employees | $0 |
| Notebook LM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Students and Employees | $0 |
| Microsoft Copilot Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Students and Employees | $0 |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Yes | Yes | Yes | Employees | $220 /yr |