LibGuides: Artificial Intelligence: Working with Generative AI Tools

CSU/CSUN Generative AI Resources

ChatGPT.Edu for CSUN
As the CSU Chancellor recently announced, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Edu will be available to all CSU students, faculty, and staff. ChatGPT is an advanced generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution that can help summarize documents, assist with text composition, conduct data analytics, and perform various other tasks.
ChatGPT LibGuide
Use this library created guide for more detailed information about ChatGPT in relation to student use, including information about risks, plagiarism, and the ways that ChatGPT can be used.
CoPilot (Microsoft) via CSUN
Like ChatGPT, Copilot is a generative AI-powered assistant that helps with tasks such as writing, coding, and searching. Copilot integrates with Microsoft's Office suite. If you’re using Microsoft 365 Copilot with your work or school account at CSUN, see Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft 365 Copilot for details about added privacy protections.
CSU AI Commons
Tools and Information for CSU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni
Information Technology's AI Page
This page contains guidance on the following topics: preparing your semester with AI in mind, what do if your suspect a student violated course AI policies, using third party AI detection tools, and mitigation strategies for faculty to prevent misuse of AI.

Updated 05/01/25

Writing Effective AI Prompts

NOTE: AI tools will collect data on you. Please do not share personal information that you do not want collected.

Below is a prompt to obtain guidance on writing prompts for use with AI. The prompt was submitted to the AI chat service, You.com on January 31, 2024. Try the links provided in the generated text at the end of each listed item to obtain more in-depth information.

Prompt: I need tips for writing effective prompts for use with generative AI tools.

Generated answer:

"Tips for Writing Effective Prompts for Generative AI Tools

Writing effective prompts is crucial for getting the desired output from generative AI tools. Here are some tips to help you craft effective prompts:

Be specific: Provide as much detail as possible about the topic you want the AI model to generate content on. This includes contextualizing the topic with information about the audience, tone, and timeframe 1.
Contextualize the prompt: Clearly define the context in which you want the AI model to generate content. This helps guide the AI model's output and influences its tone, style, and quality 2.
Use descriptive language: Use descriptive language in your prompts to provide the AI model with more information and improve the quality of the generated outputs 3.
Include subject and descriptors: When writing prompts for AI image generation, include a subject (person, object, or location) and descriptors (adverbs and adjectives that describe the subject). This helps the AI model understand what type of visual you want to generate 4.
Avoid abstract concepts: Abstract concepts can lead to inconsistent results when generating content. Instead, use concrete nouns that are easier for the AI model to understand 4.
Experiment and iterate: Writing effective prompts may require some trial and error. Don't be afraid to experiment with different prompts and iterate until you get the desired output.

Remember, the quality of the outputs you receive from generative AI tools is heavily influenced by the prompts you provide. By following these tips, you can improve the effectiveness of your prompts and enhance the results you get from generative AI tools."

Generative AI Tools Review Lists

Ithaka S+R Generative AI Product Tracker
The Generative AI Product Tracker lists generative AI products that are either marketed specifically towards postsecondary faculty or students or appear to be actively in use by postsecondary faculty or students for teaching, learning, or research activities. The Tracker is a living document, which is updated regularly as new products enter the market or new information about existing products becomes available. (Description from ITHANKA S+R)

Generative AI Tools

NOTE: Always defer to your instructor's policies on the use of AI, before using it to assist you with coursework.

The selected list of tools below provides a list of the most common generative AI tools. Remember, generative AI tools are Large Language Models whose focus is to create coherent language responses, not to conduct research. Each platform requires you to create a log in. Note these are not supported or protected by your CSUN log in, so be sure to check the privacy agreements and settings. Also be cautious about inputting any of your own intellectual property or personal information.

Chat BA
AI created presentation based on a prompt.
Chat GPT (Open AI)
ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a large language model-based chatbot that enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language. Successive prompts and replies, known as prompt engineering, are considered at each conversation stage as a context. (Description from Wikipedia) CSUN USERS: See the CSU Resources box to the left to learn about SSO access to ChatGPT.edu for advanced options and increased privacy protections.
Claude (Anthropic)
An AI Chatbot that includes an AI Chat, AI Search, Image Generation, and Music Generation options.
Copilot (Microsoft)
This is Microsoft's Large Language Model text generator. CSUN USERS: See the CSU Resources box to the left to learn about SSO access to CoPilot for increased privacy protections under our Enterprise Data Protection.
DeepSeek
DeepSeek is a Chinese AI chatbot.
Gemini (Google)
Allows deep integration with Google workspace as well as traditional chatbot functionality.
Jasper
Elevate your team, your brand, and your impact with AI that's built for marketing. Subscription only; free trial available for creator and pro levels.
Perplexity AI
Perplexity can answer a wide range of questions, from simple factual queries to complex open-ended questions. It can also generate different creative text formats of text content. It can summarize articles and web pages or explore topics in depth with guided AI searches.
Pi (Inflection AI)
A highly empathetic and emotionally engaged AI interface

Updated 05/01/25

AI Image Generative Tools

Adobe Firefly

AI image generation with Adobe integration

Features: Generative fill and recoloring, text effects, video and audio translator

Cost: Included in Adobe Creative Cloud; CSUN students, staff, and faculty can contact CSUN IT HelpCenter if you need access

Bing Image Creator

AI image generation powered by DALL-E 3

Features: various art styles, supports more than 100 languages

Cost: Free

DALL-E 3 by Open AI

Offers image generation using text prompts

Features: realistic and detailed image outputs, integrated with Chat GPT

Cost: CSUN students, staff, and faculty can access DALL-E 3 free of charge through CSUN’s Chat GPT subscription

Microsoft Designer

AI image generation with Microsoft products

Features: template library, integrated with Microsoft 365 apps

Cost: Included in Microsoft Office Suite; CSUN students, staff, and faculty can contact CSUN IT HelpCenter if you need access

Midjourney

AI image generation with community engagement

Features: high resolution outputs, community-driven approach

Cost: Monthly plans start at $10/month

Stable Diffusion

An open-source model, offers customization of imaging using the Stable Assistant tool

Features: high quality images, diverse outputs

Cost. Free trial available. Monthly subscriptions start at $9.

updated 4/30/25