The following email announcement was sent to Rutgers faculty and staff on April 14, 2025.
Dear Members of the Rutgers Community:
In my years in technology, few developments have generated as much excitement and uncertainty as today’s advances in artificial intelligence. This isn’t just about new tools—it’s about fundamental shifts in how we work and learn. AI’s implications are vast, complex, and still unfolding, raising enormous challenges and opportunities.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on how Rutgers is navigating this moment.
A universitywide effort, known as the AI@Rutgers Initiative, is currently bringing together faculty, researchers, technologists, and others to assess the current AI landscape, provide guidance on the use of AI at Rutgers, and make recommendations on the development, implementation, and governance of AI technologies at the university.
More than 80 experts from across the university are contributing to this work, addressing critical questions. What specialized AI software is appropriate for universitywide licensing? How can disparate AI efforts at Rutgers collaborate and leverage their expertise and resources? What guidance is appropriate for faculty and students, even as we acknowledge this may differ among disciplines? What training can we offer to help members of the community leverage AI and use it responsibly? These issues, and countless others, have serious implications for learning, research, operations, and nearly every aspect of university life. I am proud to have such a talented group tackling them.
We invite your thoughts and feedback on the AI@Rutgers Initiative. To learn more, please visit the website, which includes monthly updates and lists of participants.
Even as these groups proceed with their work, one question looms large: What software is currently available for AI at Rutgers?
Here is where things stand on the software that’s available or actively being considered:
- Gemini and Copilot: These AI assistants (or “chatbots”) are currently available at Rutgers.
- Adobe, Grammarly, Zoom, and others: Just about every software product is seeking to integrate AI, including many of the tools now available to the Rutgers community.
- AI tools under evaluation: Other tools are being evaluated for use at Rutgers. These include Google NotebookLM, a personalized research assistant; Microsoft 365 Copilot, an enhanced version of Microsoft’s Copilot chatbot for use with Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other Microsoft apps; ChatGPT, the chatbot from OpenAI, and other systems that connect users to multiple AI models and tools. More work needs to be done before we can determine whether these will be made available for university purchase and/or use.
Additionally, some schools or units at Rutgers have purchased AI software for specialized purposes. Please check with your unit’s IT staff if you’re not sure what’s available. You may also reach out to the Office of Information Technology Help Desk for assistance.
We encourage you to visit our AI webpage for guidance on AI, learning resources available to all of Rutgers, and other AI information. We also invite your thoughts and feedback as we shape Rutgers’ approach to AI together.
Michele Norin
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer