Learn how ECU employees can access supported AI tools to enhance their work while remaining in compliance with university and privacy policies.
Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) supports the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence to develop a productive learning and working environment in ways that are aligned with our broader commitment to information security, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability.
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Do This
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Don't Do This
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Explanation
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| Consult IT Services before introducing any new AI tool. |
Do not purchase AI applications via credit card. |
IT Services is responsible for managing our overall software spend, and must review all new technology in terms of privacy, security and our ability to provide support. |
| Use ECU's Copilot for free. |
Do not pay for or sign up for additional AI accounts (e.g., ChatGPT). |
Our existing Microsoft contract includes access to Copilot, which uses the same underlying AI model as ChatGPT. |
| Sign in when using Copilot. |
Do not enter work data into the public (unauthenticated) version of Copilot. |
Signing into Copilot ensures that your prompts are contained within ECU's secure Canadian tenant. |
| Ask IT Services about advanced Copilot licensing. |
Do not attempt to rent an upgraded Copilot license on your own. |
IT Services can quote + procure any advanced licensing of Copilot and ensure that it integrates with your ECU account (subject to approval and budgeting). |
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Microsoft Copilot AI is available to employees even without an additional Copilot license.
- All employees with a Microsoft A5 license can access Copilot features in:
- Microsoft Edge (sidebar)
- Copilot web app (copilot.microsoft.com)
- No extra Copilot license is required for these basic features.
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Via Microsoft Edge:
- Open Edge.
- Click the Copilot icon in the sidebar.
- Sign in with your university Microsoft account.
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Via Copilot Web App:
- Go to copilot.microsoft.com.
- Sign in with your university Microsoft account.
- This ensures that your session runs within ECU's Canadian environment .
- You will also be able to access more features than the completely free public version.
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- Summarize web pages or documents.
- Draft emails, reports, and creative content.
- Generate ideas for art, design, and academic projects.
- Answer questions and research topics quickly.
- See our guidelines if you are unsure about any particular use of AI.
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- Advanced integrations (e.g., Copilot for Microsoft 365 in Word, Excel, Teams) require an additional license.
- Some enterprise features may not be available without Copilot Pro or Copilot for M365.
- Create a ticket with IT Services is you require these additional features.
- See our guidelines if you are unsure about any particular use of AI.
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- Always sign in when using Copilot (i.e., do not use the free web version)
- Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and tone.
- Avoid sharing confidential or sensitive information in prompts.
- See our guidelines for more information about the use of AI with research, personal, sensitive and confidential information.
- Use Copilot as a support tool, not a replacement for critical thinking.
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Copilot Privacy + AI Model Training
Copilot runs within the university’s Microsoft 365 tenant. Prompts, responses, and any content Copilot accesses (like documents or emails) are not used to train Microsoft’s underlying language models.
- Microsoft’s enterprise privacy terms make this explicit — data from organisational tenants stays within the tenant’s boundary and is only used to provide the Copilot service, not to improve or retrain the foundation models.
- See Microsoft 365 Copilot privacy and protections for more information.
- See our guidelines for more information about the use of AI with research, personal, sensitive and confidential information.
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These upcoming features will allow the university staff to leverage AI-enhanced writing, designing, data analysis, and email productivity, without any additional license.
NOTE - IT Services is currently reviewing the in-app Copilot chat pane and related features. As a result, these features are not yet enabled for Emily Carr University employees.
Copilot Chat in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote
A chat pane can be embedded in these apps, enabling AI-powered help such as drafting, rewriting, summarizing, analyzing, and brainstorming based on the current document’s context (not yet enabled).
PowerPoint AI
- Generate full slide decks from a prompt (not yet enabled).
- Suggest design options using Designer (available now)
- Create visuals with DALL·E 3 (not yet enabled).
- Automatically produce speaker notes (not yet enabled).
- Refine tone, layout, and content—all within PowerPoint (not yet enabled).
Excel AI Tools
- Analyze and summarize data (not yet enabled).
- Generate formulas (not yet enabled).
- Visualize insights—all from within your spreadsheets (not yet enabled).
Outlook Thread Summarization
A “Summarize” button now appears in the reading pane, letting users get a thread overview with a single click—even without a Copilot license (not yet enabled).
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With your university’s LinkedIn Learning account, faculty and staff gain access to a robust professional development platform tailored to both general and AI-specific learning.
- AI Skill Pathways: Curated learning paths for varied roles—covering fundamentals, application, real-world AI practice, professional certificates, and certification prep—available to all university users.
- Hands-on generative AI courses: Includes modules like "Preparing for the Future of Work with AI Agents" and "Career Essentials in Generative AI".
- Copilot-focused courses via LinkedIn Learning, like prompt writing, and using Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook—designed to support productivity within Microsoft 365.
- Practice Real-World Conversations. Choose from built-in scenarios like feedback delivery, conflict resolution, or negotiation—and even design your own custom scenario to match your specific role-play needs.
- Text or Voice Interaction. Engage with the AI through typing or speaking—whichever suits your preference—and the AI responds contextually as your conversation unfolds.
- Dynamic, Personalized Feedback. After each session, the AI provides constructive feedback on tone, clarity, empathy, and other key communication skills.
- Targeted Learning Recommendations. Based on your performance, the feature suggests relevant LinkedIn Learning courses to help you improve and fill skill gaps.
- Safe, Judgment-Free Environment. This tool replicates workplace conversations in a private space designed for experimentation and practice, without any pressure.
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Adobe Creative Cloud now offers multiple integrated generated AI features.
- AI Assistant (Beta) – Chat-based workflow for creating from prompts.
- Generate Image & Templates – Use text prompts to create full visuals or design templates instantly.
- Text Effects – Generate stylistic text treatments via prompts.
- Remove/Insert Object and Background – Easily add or remove visual elements with AI.
- Translate & Caption Videos – Auto-generate subtitles and translate video content into ~45 languages.
- Drawing & Painting Tools – New brushes and editable templates (esp. in Express for Education)
FireFly (Web + Core AI Platform)
- Text-to-Image & Text-to-Video – Generate high-res images and short videos from descriptive prompts.
- Generative Fill/Expand – Remove, replace, or extend parts of existing images using text prompts.
- Vector Generation – Produce scalable SVG graphics from text.
- Audio Tools – Generate sound effects and voice narration; translate audio/video while retaining voice tone.
- Virtual Avatars & Boards – Create AI avatars with specified voice/appearance; collaborate with Firefly Boards for ideation and moodboards.
- Commercially Safe Outputs – Trained on Adobe Stock and public domain assets, optimized for use in commercial projects.
- Credit Model – Credits are included through our contract and will refresh periodically if used up.
Most Creative Cloud desktop apps now feature integrated GenAI tools. Here are just some of the most popular examples:
Photoshop
- Generative Fill & Expand – Powered by Firefly and partner models (e.g., Google Gemini, Flux Kontext) to easily add/remove/expand image areas.
- Generative Content Creation – Create new background scenes or entire images using text prompts.
- Generative Upscale & Harmonize – Enhance image quality and blend composited layers seamlessly; scaling up may use extra credits.
- New AI Tools – E.g., advanced object generation, improved background manipulation, AI-powered retouching, and select-subject enhancements.
Illustrator + More
- Generative Recolor – Change colors/themes of vector art using simple language prompts.
- Text-to-Vector Graphic – Auto-generate vector shapes from prompts.
- Many Creative Cloud apps (InDesign, Lightroom, Acrobat) benefit from Firefly-based tools like intelligent masking, content-aware edits, summarization, and AI-assisted design.
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The TeamDynamix (TDX) ticketing platform now includes two basic AI features.
- Automatically generates a two-part overview for each ticket:
- Ticket Details: Summarizes the ticket’s title, description, and any free-text custom fields.
- Recent Activity: Condenses recent communications and updates.
- Accessed via a "View Ticket Summary" section at the top of tickets—updates whenever tickets are opened or refreshed.
- Does not store ticket data or use it for training AI models; privacy is maintained.
- Enhances the clarity, conciseness, and grammar of text within any rich-text editor (e.g., ticket responses, knowledge articles).
- Works on the full text or a selected portion, with suggestions presented for approval before overwriting.
- Does not store processed data or train on user content; it’s secure and private.
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