Generative AI

What is generative AI?

You have probably seen or heard of ChatGPT and Claude as current examples under the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) umbrella, but generative AI has a much longer history, and AI is found in many more tools. 

One of the key features of generative AI is its ability to identify patterns and structures from input data it receives, and then apply that input to automatically generate content through the use of various algorithms and models. 

At Carleton, the community has access to Google’s Gemini (our license is Google Workspace for Education Plus, which means that not all Gemini AI features are available to us), some Claude and ChatGPT models through Amplify, and Adobe Firefly through Adobe Express and other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. We are also starting to see generative AI and other AI features appear in some of our applications we use for daily work and on our laptops and mobile devices. For example, more recent Apple computers with M chips and the Sequoia OS can request access to Apple Intelligence, a way that Apple embeds AI features into the local computer. Similar features are also appearing on Windows computers, on iOS and Android devices, and in various browsers.

If you are interested in exploring locally installed generative AI, check out our Ollama installation. If you are interested in exploring other LLM options, please reach out to ITS by submitting a ticket to Academic Technology.

While most of these generative AI features focus on text only, multimodal generative AI is improving rapidly. Carleton Academic Technologists can help you decide what tools may work best for you, if you want to learn more about this use of generative AI. Check out Dann Hurlbert’s blog on AI for film production.

Amplify GenAI, a tool to practice with generative AI options

As AI tools continue to evolve, the AI Coordinating Team is monitoring available resources and developments to ensure the Carleton community can utilize AI effectively and safely.  During spring term 2025, ITS piloted a new AI solution, Amplify GenAI, that allows access to a variety of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT and Claude. For Fall 2025, Amplify is now available to anyone on campus. ITS is conducting research about how the community is using generative AI through Amplify. If you are interested in helping us with this research, please contact Wiebke Kuhn, Director of Academic Technology.

Amplify, developed by Vanderbilt University, provides access to multiple LLMs, additional security for uploaded information, and greater affordability than acquiring access to a variety of LLMs individually. Learn more about Amplify’s features and how to use it.

At this moment, Amplify will not be able to generate images. For all Carleton users, Gemini through your Carleton account and Adobe Firefly, through Adobe Express provide image generation options.

Despite Amplify’s additional security, it is still advisable and considered best practice to avoid putting any high-risk data (such as SSN’s and credit card numbers) into an AI platform. Medium risk data, such as intellectual property, student information and financial information, can be used in Carleton’s instance of Amplify.

What are examples of generative AI use in teaching/learning?

The following list of examples is just a starting point, out of the LTC Winter conference sessions on AI (December 7, 2023). Please also see the list of resource links for additional ideas, collected by colleagues across the world.

• Example 1: Students identify a current issue in their field, develop a rubric with specific criteria upon which to judge an AI response, individually write a question prompt for the AI tool, in groups, compare the responses by applying the rubric. (Watkins 2022)
• Example 2: Students use Track Changes feature to mark up a chatbot output, reflect on the chatbot output by noting important missing details, research chatbot claims and add appropriate citations, expand on a particular section or claim; or rewrite the output from the other side of the argument. (Watkins 2022)
• Example 3: Students can ask a chatbot to
  • Generate 10 ideas for a paper about a specific topic
  • Create an outline for a paper
  • Create an outline for an infographic
  • Generate ideas for a podcast
  • List blog post ideas. (Ludwig 2023)
• Example 4: Generate text for different audiences. Ask the bot to explain a concept for a 5-year-old, college student, and expert. Analyze the difference in the way AI uses language. (Trust 2023)
• Example 5: Prompt: I want to do deliberate practice about how to teach a college history class. You will be my teacher. You will simulate a detailed scenario in which I will am a professor for this class. You will fill the roles of different students in the class, while I will play the role of instructor.  You will ask for my response to in each step of the scenario and wait until you receive it. After getting my response, you will give me details of what the other actors do and say. You will grade my response and give me detailed feedback about what to do better. You will give me a harder scenario if I do well, and an easier one if I fail. (Alexander 2023)

• Teaching with AI prompt examples (Jose Bowen)
• AI in Education Resource Directory (POD Network)
• AI Prompts for Teaching (Cynthia Alby)
• Teaching with AI (OpenAI resource)
• AI Pedagogy Lab (Harvard University)
• Assessment redesign for generative AI: A taxonomy of options and their viability (U. of Queensland)
• What to do about assessments if we can’t out-design or out-run AI? (U. of Sydney)
• Practical AI for Instructors and Students Part 5: AI for Students (video) (U. of Pennsylvania)
• AI in the Classroom, focus on Assignments (Wabash Lilly Library)

How can I explore generative AI without compromising my learning?

Any of the Carleton-licensed tools give you access to explore, but it may be difficult to find a task that is not academic and related to your classes and learning. Key to remember for exploring generative AI is that you should already know something about the content – be an expert – so that you can evaluate the output. For some other practices check out our suggestions for games with generative AI integrated.

Where can I find more information?

Check out Carleton’s AI at Carleton website, with links to resources, including the Learning and Teaching Center (LTC), and Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), that are discussing AI and its effects within the educational context. Please find below a list of articles and sites that may be of some interest to you, including a link to join Carleton’s AI Community of Practice.