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AI Resources & Tools

Assistant Name Description Key Generative AI Features Usage Requirements Purchase Options/Costs
Amazon Alexa (Alexa+) Voice-activated assistant for tasks, smart home control, and information. Enhanced conversational AI, context retention, generative summaries, personalized responses, and integration with Amazon services for shopping assistance. (Alexa + required) Amazon account, Alexa-enabled device (Echo, etc.), internet connection. Alexa+ generative features require a subscription. Alexa-enabled devices (Echo, etc.): Varying costs. Alexa+ subscription: Monthly fee.
Google Assistant (Gemini Integrated) AI-powered assistant integrated with Google services. Enhanced natural language understanding, more complex task completion, improved context awareness, code generation, summarization, creative text formats, and integration of Gemini's multimodal abilities. Google account, compatible device (Android phone, Google Home, etc.), internet connection. For Gemini integration, some devices and apps may need updates. Google Home/Nest devices: Varying costs. Google One subscription (that gives access to more Gemini features).
Apple Siri Voice-controlled assistant for Apple devices. Generative summaries for notifications, enhanced context-aware suggestions, and improved natural language understanding. Expected future features will add more GenAI capabilities. Apple ID, compatible Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.), internet connection. Latest OS for optimal performance. Apple devices: Varying costs. Apple One subscription.
Microsoft Cortana Assistant primarily for productivity tasks within the Microsoft ecosystem. Context-aware assistance, document summarization, generative AI enhanced suggestions within Microsoft Apps. Microsoft account, Windows device or Microsoft 365 subscription, internet connection. Best experience within Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft 365 subscription: Varying costs. Some Cortana functions are being integrated into other Microsoft Paid products.
Samsung Bixby Assistant for Samsung devices with deep device control. Improvements to natural language conversation, and Samsung is beginning to deploy generative functions into Bixby. Samsung account, compatible Samsung device (Galaxy phone, etc.), internet connection. Latest Samsung software recommended. Samsung devices: Varying costs.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Large language model used as a general AI assistant. Text generation, code generation, creative writing, complex question answering, conversation, custom GPT creation, and task automation. OpenAI account, internet connection. Free version available, with paid subscription for GPT-4 and added features. ChatGPT Plus subscription: Monthly fee. Team and Enterprise plans are also offered.
Google Gemini A new multimodal Large Language Model, that is trying to be a generative AI assistant. Multimodal data handling (text, images, code), advanced reasoning, creative content generation, and ability to adapt to diverse user needs. Is being integrated into many Google products. a Google account, and an internet connection. Some features may require specific supported platforms. Gemini advanced access, is currently offered through the Google One AI Premium Plan.
Anthropic's Claude A new Generative AI assistant from Anthropic, that competes with ChatGPT. Summarization, text generation, code generation, Question Answering, and file uploading abilities. Anthropic Account, and Internet connection. Offers a free tier with limitations, and a paid "Claude Pro" Subscription.

Software Name Category Description of AI Integration
Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Express) Creative Suite Adobe's Sensei AI platform is deeply integrated, providing features like generative fill, object selection, neural filters, automatic background removal, content-aware editing, text-to-image creation, and enhanced video editing capabilities. In Adobe Express, it helps with design, and content generation.
Grammarly Writing Assistance Uses AI to provide real-time grammar, style, tone, and clarity suggestions. It identifies potential errors, suggests improvements, and helps users understand their writing style. AI-based prompt improvements are a new and emerging feature.
Zoom Video Conferencing AI enhances meeting experiences with features like background noise suppression, virtual backgrounds, meeting summaries, smart recording highlights, and live transcription. Also, AI is used to provide chat summarization, and AI meeting preparation.
Microsoft 365 (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Copilot) Productivity Suite Microsoft's Copilot integrates AI to assist with document creation, data analysis, presentations, and email management. Features include content suggestions, automated data insights, automated tasks, and enhanced collaboration.
Canva Graphic Design AI enables features like background removal, magic edit, text-to-image generation, design suggestions, and template recommendations. It assists users in creating professional-looking graphics quickly.
Notion Productivity & Workspace AI enhances note-taking, content creation, and project management. Features include AI writing assistance, summarization, brainstorming tools, and data analysis within databases.
Salesforce (Einstein AI) CRM Einstein AI provides predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, lead scoring, and customer insights. It helps businesses automate tasks and improve customer relationships.
GitHub Copilot Code Development AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time code suggestions, autocompletion, and code generation based on context. It speeds up the development process and enhances productivity.
Descript Audio/Video Editing This software uses AI to edit audio and video by editing a text transcript of the file. It also includes features for overdubbing and text to speech.

Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams. It helps users write, summarize, analyze, visualize, and automate tasks using natural language prompts-similar to tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini.

CoPilot is available to all City Tech faculty and staff through the Microsoft 365 platform. You can use Copilot with your data in a more secured way.

The version of Copilot currently available does not integrate with institutional data such as emails, documents, calendars, or SharePoint files. That functionality requires a higher-tier license (Microsoft 365 Copilot for Enterprise), which is not yet available at our college.

App Copilot Capabilities
Word Drafts documents, rewrites text, summarizes content
Excel Analyzes data, creates formulas, generates charts
PowerPoint Builds presentations from outlines or documents
Outlook Summarizes threads, drafts replies, prioritizes emails
Teams Summarizes meetings, suggests action items, answers questions from chat history

How to Use Microsoft Copilot

  1. Look for the Copilot icon in your Microsoft 365 apps.
  2. Use natural language prompts like:
    • "Summarize this document"
    • "Create a chart from this data"
    • "Draft an email to follow up on this meeting"
  3. Refine the output by asking Copilot to adjust tone, length, or format.

Best Practices for Using Copilot

  • Start simple: Use Copilot to automate repetitive tasks like summarizing notes or formatting slides.
  • Review everything: Always verify Copilot's output for accuracy and tone.
  • Protect sensitive data: Avoid prompting Copilot with confidential or personally identifiable information.
  • Collaborate with Copilot: Think of it as a creative partner, not a replacement for your judgment.

Training & Resources

  1. Microsoft 365 Copilot Learning Path
  2. Copilot Learning Hub
  3. Tutorials: Learn to Use Microsoft Copilot

Zoom AI Companion is a generative AI assistant built into Zoom that helps users work more efficiently by summarizing meetings, drafting messages, generating ideas, and automating routine tasks. It functions similarly to tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, but is embedded directly into the Zoom platform.

The version currently available integrates with institutional data on a limited basis.

Feature Description
Meeting Summaries Automatically generates summaries of Zoom meetings with key points and action items.
Smart Replies Suggests responses in Zoom Team Chat based on context.
Email Drafts Helps draft follow-up emails after meetings.
Idea Generation Assists with brainstorming and content creation.
Task Automation Identifies and tracks action items from conversations.

Training & Resources

  1. Zoom AI Companion Technical Library
  2. Zoom AI Companion Onboarding Center
  3. Getting Started with Zoom AI Companion
Workshops

Resources for Educators

Students

CUNY AI-One

AI Guidlines

Other Resources