What AI tools can staff and faculty use at USC?
Use the following resource to explore USC’s approved AI tools. It is important to be mindful of the data input into any AI tool.
When will enterprise ChatGPT be available at USC?
Enterprise ChatGPT will be available at USC in early 2026. We’ll share the official launch date and details soon—stay tuned for updates! However, Microsoft Copilot, which uses OpenAI’s models, including ChatGPT, is available now.
Will I be able to migrate my existing ChatGPT account to USC’s enterprise license?
Detailed instructions on how to merge existing accounts—including conversation history—are currently being developed and will be provided as soon as possible. Please continue to check your email for more information and revisit this page for updated instructions.
How can faculty learn about this technology?
The USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) provides workshops, consultations, and guidance focused on instructional practices, helping faculty make informed decisions about how these tools may support their teaching and student learning.
How can students use AI?
The ethical and successful use of approved AI tools begins with understanding your instructor’s expectations. Whether and how AI can be used can vary by discipline, instructor, course, and even individual assignments. When use is permitted, maintain transparency: keep records of how you used the tool, be prepared to explain its role in your work, and always cite its use.
Most importantly, if you’re unsure if using AI is acceptable, ask for clarification before using it. Clarifying expectations protects your academic integrity and builds good ethical AI habits throughout your career.
Where can I share and navigate through my concerns about teaching integrity?
Concerns about teaching integrity can be discussed with the Office of Academic Integrity. Faculty are encouraged to include guidance on student use of AI in their syllabi or for individual assignments. Refer to page 4 of the USC Syllabus Template for examples and consult your program or school for recommendations.
What are USC’s guidelines for using AI responsibly?
Use of any technology tool must adhere to USC’s Acceptable Use Policy and our policies. These policies outline how to use university technology safely, ethically, and in accordance with our policies. They encourage students, faculty, and staff to protect privacy and follow data classification standards while supporting learning, research, and operations. All AI users must avoid activities that disrupt university systems, expose confidential information, or violate copyright, intellectual property, or academic integrity.
When using and evaluating AI tools, be mindful of the institutional data you are sharing. Never share Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Personal Health Information (PHI), protected student records, or other sensitive data with any AI tool without additional consultation.
Consider the following when using AI tools:
- Never share Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Personal Health Information (PHI), protected student records, or other sensitive data with any AI tool without additional consultation.
- Never use real names, IDs, or confidential info in prompts.
- Practice with generic or fictional data.
- Double-check your AI tool’s privacy settings to ensure compliance.
- Always review AI-generated output for factual accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.
What are the potential compliance obligations and legal considerations associated with using AI tools?
Use of USC’s approved AI tools is subject to USC’s Data Privacy and Protection Policy and USC’s Acceptable Use Policy. Users should have no expectation of privacy when using USC-provided AI tools. Users must not enter confidential, confidential-controlled, internal use only, or privileged information unless they have been specifically informed that a specific data classification has been approved for use . Users remain responsible for complying with all data privacy, security, and retention obligations and must review outputs for accuracy and compliance before use.