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GenAI Use Cases for Experimenting

Innovation is integral to our mission and vision at Stanford. As you experiment with GenAI, continue to keep in mind Stanford’s commitment to data security and privacy.

Use cases

For understanding use cases, we recommend using the framework in this 2023 article by Mark McCormack,"EDUCAUSE QuickPoll Results: Adopting and Adapting to Generative AI in Higher Ed Tech." The article introduces four categories that can guide our use of generative AI: dreaming, drudgery, design, and development. 

You'll notice potential tools to use for each category. You can also experiment with this guidance in the AI Playground (open to Stanford students, faculty, and staff as a pilot):

AI Playground

Dreaming: Helping you think

  • Brainstorming
  • Summarizing and synthesizing complex information
  • Analysis of information

Tools you might use:

  • Google Gemini
  • Microsoft Copilot
  • OpenAI ChatGPT
  • Adobe Firefly

Drudgery: Lightening your load

  • Creating communication drafts
  • Drafting administrative documents (memos, reports, outlines)
  • Reviewing and proofreading materials
  • Grant, policy, proposal, and contract drafting
  • Translations

Tools you might use:

  • Google Gemini
  • Microsoft Copilot
  • OpenAI ChatGPT

Design: Building your content

  • Creating presentations, slides, and images
  • Creating syllabi and course material templates
  • Editing and creating images and videos
  • Suggesting materials for meetings, trainings, workshops

Tools you might use:

  • Google Gemini
  • Microsoft Copilot
  • OpenAI ChatGPT
  • Adobe Firefly
  • Canva AI integration

Development: Advancing your work

  • Improving scripting and coding (complex SQL queries, Excel formulas, code fixes)
  • Creating detailed project plans
  • Generate or debug code
  • Improving accessibility

Tools you might use:

  • Google Gemini
  • Microsoft Copilot
  • OpenAI ChatGPT
  • Azure OpenAI
  • Google Vertex
  • AWS Bedrock, Q, or Sagemakeer

Familiarize yourself with these resources that explain aspects of Stanford's approach to data security and privacy, which can also help guide your approach to using GenAI.

Best practices for use of GenAI

Learn how to more confidently use AI tools and models while considering best practices for data security and privacy.

 

Responsible AI at Stanford

Working with sensitive data

Each one of us is responsible for taking precautionary measures to protect any data we use, access, or share at Stanford. Learn why and how to protect sensitive data.

Protecting Sensitive Data at Stanford

Data risk classifications

Stanford provides helpful details about risk classifications that you can use to guide your practices, including examples and approved services.

Stanford Data Risk Classifications

Prompt guidance

As you try out these use cases, also consider our high-level prompt guidance.

GenAI Prompt Guide