Generative AI is very resource-intensive. While it is possible to run such technology locally, most users rely on online services. The most frequently used technologies include Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. With the current hype, there has been a boom in start-ups developing AI tools. Websites like There's an AI for That keep track of these new tools.

Within the University of Twente, Microsoft Copilot is available to employees and students. However, while Copilot is included in our Microsoft license, it does not yet adhere to the privacy agreements required for data processing at the University of Twente. Microsoft states that Copilot isn't trained using your data, but since the data is processed in global data centres outside the EU, caution is needed. SURF, the IT cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions, currently advises against using Copilot.

Did you know? You can also run a Large Language Model (LLM) on your own machine using tools like Ollama and LM Studio, and models with a lower number of parameters can run on regular UT devices.