As part of UAB’s Artificial Intelligence Strategic Initiative (AISI), UAB’s new ChatGPT Service provides approved access to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, giving campus faculty and staff another option for using a secure generative AI chatbot in their everyday work, from drafting content to exploring new ideas.
Deployment of ChatGPT supports UAB’s broader AISI efforts to responsibly adopt AI tools that improve productivity, collaboration and innovation across campus.
ChatGPT can help you create or polish content such as reports, emails or presentations; summarize documents or meeting notes; brainstorm new ideas; or develop course materials and clarify concepts.
ChatGPT is currently only available on campus for uab.edu users. Users affiliated with UAB Hospital, UAB Medicine, UAB Medicine Ambulatory, and clinical affiliates will have a separate instance of ChatGPT available at a later date.
How do I access ChatGPT?
Request a license in the IT Service Portal. Once your license is approved, you can access ChatGPT on the web or mobile app by logging in with your uab.edu email address. Initially, ChatGPT licenses will cost $63 per month, but UAB IT will re-evaluate after six months after tracking average usage patterns.
Follow these steps to:
- Set up a new UAB ChatGPT account once you re provisioned for a license
- Transition an existing ChatGPT account that uses your uab.edu email address. These instructions are especially important if you want to preserve existing chat history.
OpenAI’s Codex and Agent Builder tools will be rolled out soon and available at an additional monthly cost.
How do I know which AI tool is right for me?
Before requesting any paid AI tool license, confirm that it is required for your role’s core activities (e.g. frequent data analysis, document creation etc.) and ensure you have approval from your supervisor.
UAB offers multiple AI tools including a free version of Microsoft Copilot, a chatbot that can help analyze and generate text, brainstorm ideas and research topics. It is available to all campus staff, faculty and students.
Use ChatGPT if you are working on a self-contained task from scratch, such as troubleshooting a block of code, formatting raw text or brainstorming abstract concepts.
How do I learn more about how to use ChatGPT?
Initial use of ChatGPT is expected to be largely self-service, with additional documentation provided over time. For general support, contact AskIT, or refer to ChatGPT’s knowledge articles. Additional training and guidance will be expanded through AISI over time.
Consider energy efficiency in AI use
Some tips to keep in mind when using ChatGPT:
- An AI tool like ChatGPT can be used to create efficiencies but is not needed for every task.
- You can switch between modes when chatting with ChatGPT, including “Instant” responses, which may use less energy, and “Thinking” responses. Thinking effort can be standard or extended.