On January 12, Vanderbilt University announced the enhancement of its generative AI tools and training programs. With this initiative, ChatGPT Edu, Amplify 2.0, and Grow with Google are now accessible to all eligible faculty, students, and staff who hold a @vanderbilt.edu email address. The Office of Learning Innovation will also offer workshops, quick guides, and an AI Faculty Toolkit to assist users in navigating these new tools.
ChatGPT Edu
ChatGPT Edu is a generative AI platform tailored for academic institutions, designed to offer users a secure and versatile space for various applications. This platform provides enhanced access to GPT-5, delivering advanced capabilities for analysis, research, and customizable AI solutions for diverse projects or courses. The recent expansion promises significantly higher message limits, improved language capabilities, and features such as file integration.
Amplify 2.0
On January 6, Amplify GenAI unveiled Amplify 2.0. This generative AI platform offers users a personal email assistant, scheduling agent, and intelligent notetaker. The AI assistant efficiently checks calendar availability, drafts responses, and coordinates scheduling for users. By simply forwarding images, voice recordings, or text, the assistant can automatically generate notes, summaries, and transcripts.
“With Amplify 2.0, AI transitions from an occasional tool to one that actively enhances your productivity,” stated Jules White, senior advisor to the chancellor on generative AI in enterprise and education, during a recent press release.
Amplify is currently utilized by over fifty institutions as well as several K-12 districts and various organizations.
Grow with Google
Grow with Google, a partnership between Coursera and the tech giant, provides access to Google-certified programs in areas such as analytics, project management, UX design, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and IT support. This initiative aims to elevate AI literacy on campus and broaden Coursera’s AI offerings. While this resource is available to the entire campus, some AI tools are restricted to specific groups within the Vanderbilt community.
Senior Abbey Woods recognizes the potential of AI resources if users are educated effectively.
“I’ve worked with AI before, particularly ChatGPT, and the number of inaccurate sources it has generated is astonishing. I worry that without proper training on AI, this could become even more prevalent,” Woods expressed.
Woods also believes that AI can be identifiable, and her role on the Honor Council has heightened her awareness of its distinguishing signs.
“As a member of the Honor Council, I can’t discuss specific cases, but I can say that most of the cases I encounter are related to AI usage. It’s quite noticeable because AI tends to have a distinctive writing style, along with fabricated sources,” Woods noted.
Junior Miguel Kamgaing acknowledges both the challenges and advantages of growing reliance on AI.
“In my view, AI tools hinder learning. Many people are losing the skills to research, write, and generate their own thoughts,” Kamgaing remarked. “However, on the flip side, they provide faster access to information than ever before.”
Kamgaing believes that Vanderbilt is proactively addressing this issue by offering these new resources.
“Society globally has struggled to adapt rapidly to the increasing use of AI. By integrating these tools for student use, Vanderbilt grants them a level of control that places them ahead of this challenge,” Kamgaing emphasized.
Conclusion
The initiatives introduced by Vanderbilt University highlight its commitment to integrating advanced AI tools within its educational framework. By equipping faculty and students with these resources, the university is not only enhancing learning experiences but also preparing its community for the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
