Data protection-compliant working and studying with AI Easier access to AI technologies for students and employees with AI Toolbox

Since the beginning of May, Technische Universität Braunschweig has been offering all employees and students an internal web portal called “AI Toolbox” to support the broad use of artificial intelligence (AI) centrally and in compliance with data protection regulations. The AI Toolbox is available free of charge to all employees and students with their user ID and can be accessed from TU Braunschweig’s network and externally via VPN.

Anonymous use

The main advantage of TU access is that it is anonymous and therefore data protection-compliant, and does not require individual registration with the commercial services behind it. The AI Toolbox currently provides access to three main AI services: ChatGPT, DallE and DeepL. ChatGPT is a text-based dialogue system. The chatbot is designed to engage in interactive conversations and solve more complex tasks. DallE generates images based on text instructions. DeepL completes the offering with a powerful AI-based translation engine that can currently translate between 23 languages.

Accompanying critical discussion

The aim of introducing this AI Toolbox is to facilitate access to AI technologies for TU members and to expand the areas of application of AI for all TU performance dimensions, research, teaching and studies, transfer as well as governance and administration. The use of AI applications is also being widely and critically discussed at TU Braunschweig, as the use of AI, like all tools, brings with it not only opportunities but also risks.

Always checking truthfulness

In practice, there are challenges for users that need to be carefully addressed depending on the context of use. For example, the truthfulness of outputs generated by predominantly statistical AI processes must always be checked by the users themselves. There is generally no claim to accuracy. In principle, AI tools are trained with data, the quantity and quality of which has a significant impact on the quality of the results generated by the tools. In addition, the user’s input data is almost always used by the provider for further training of the tools, which makes it essential for the user to respect personal rights and copyrights.

Training offer

In order to support staff in using the new AI Toolbox, the KI4ALL project, together with the Central Staff Development, is offering two training formats: In the online introductory course “Die neue KI Toolbox – Was ist es, wie funktioniert es und was kann ich damit machen?“ (The new AI Toolbox – what is it, how does it work and what can I do with it?) on 27 May 2024 and 11 June 2024, you will receive basic information about the toolbox and have the opportunity to try it out in practice and ask questions.

The advanced classroom event “Bilder erzeugen mit der KI-Toolbox“ (Generating images with the AI Toolbox) on 18 June 2024 will teach you how to use the image generator in your work.

For a quick overview, the training documents for self-study are available for safe and responsible use of AI.

*This article was created with the support of AI tools.