Aalto AI Assistant
A chat-based application powered by the same language models as ChatGPT
AI in Aalto
At Aalto, AI is developed and used to support high‑quality research, teaching and services in a responsible way. These pages bring together Aalto’s target state for AI, practical guidance, as well as tools and services for using AI in a safe and impactful way in different roles. You will also find information on AI experiments and playgrounds, training opportunities, and essential legal and copyright information related to AI use at Aalto.
Aalto University's joint strategic plans for AI
We leverage the potential of data, analytics and AI to enhance efficiency and decision-making
Target state
- Aalto is at the forefront of responsible and sustainable AI development and adoption across research, teaching and learning, and university operations. We integrate AI effectively into daily workflows and enable experiments and innovations in AI technologies.
- We embrace a data-driven management culture and encourage collaboration and innovation using data and AI.
- Our community has skills and competences to excel in data, analytics and AI. We empower users through advanced analytics and AI services, actively training and supporting them to maximise their potential.
- We uphold robust data and AI governance, ensuring responsible and sustainable use of these resources. Aalto's data assets adhere to FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable), supported by optimised and secure technology platforms.
Read more:
Key AI concepts
Below are the core AI concepts used in Aalto and how they relate to everyday work.
| Term | Description | Main task | Role of the user |
| AI (Artificial Intelligence) | Umbrella term for all AI technologies, such as spam filters or recommendation systems. | Analyses data and makes predictions or inferences based on it. | Uses system recommendations to support decision-making. |
| GenAI (Generative AI) | Subfield of AI specialised in producing new content, e.g. text, images or code (such as ChatGPT). | Creates new content based on statistical probabilities. | Designs precise prompts and critically evaluates results, including possible hallucinations. |
| AI Agent | Autonomous actor that uses AI to perform tasks. | Executes multi-step task chains independently. | Defines the goal, selects tools and monitors that the process succeeds. |
AI is a broad term for computer systems that can reason based on the information they receive and produce results such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions. A key characteristic is that the system operates with a certain level of autonomy to reach a given goal. Because AI works with statistics and probabilities instead of fixed rules, its outputs always contain some uncertainty and the system can sometimes make mistakes.
Unlike traditional software, which only executes predefined commands, AI systems are trained to recognise patterns in large datasets and can apply what they have learned to new, previously unseen situations. Everyday examples include spam filters, route suggestions from search and navigation tools, or systems that generate sales forecasts from historical data.
Generative AI is a subfield of AI specialised in creating completely new content such as text, images, code or audio. It is based on large language models (LLMs) that have been trained on vast amounts of data.
Generative AI does not "understand" information in a human way. Instead, it calculates which word or element is most likely to follow another based on the given prompt. This probability-based mechanism means there is always a risk of hallucination: the system may invent facts that look very convincing if it lacks the right information.
Examples in everyday use include Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT, which can be used to summarise long documents, draft emails or translate text.
AI agents build on generative AI capabilities. While a typical GenAI system acts as an assistant that responds to questions, an agent can work autonomously towards a defined goal.
An agent is given a goal and access to tools such as a web browser, spreadsheet or email. It can break down a broad task into smaller steps, execute them in a logical order and correct its own mistakes along the way.
An example: an agent is asked to "find the latest product launches from three competitors' websites, compile a comparison table and send a summary to our team channel". The agent performs these steps one after another without human intervention.
How the Aalto AI pages are structured
The AI intranet pages are organized into the following sections (see the side navigation):
- Work with AI: Practical guidelines for service staff on using generative AI safely and effectively in their daily work.
- AI for students: Guidance for students on using AI in studies in a responsible way, including what is allowed in coursework and exams.
- AI in teaching: Support for teachers on integrating AI into teaching and learning, with tips and policy guidance.
- AI in research: Responsible use of AI in the research process and links to key research areas such as digitalization and AI.
- AI tools and services: Everyday AI tools available at Aalto, including the Aalto AI Assistant, translation tools and coding assistants.
- AI experiments and playgrounds: Information on AI experimentation processes, core principles and sandbox environments where staff and students can test AI tools.
- Training & events: Listings of AI-related training opportunities, workshops and events for the Aalto community.
- AI Act and copyright legislation: Legal and regulatory information, including the EU AI Act and copyright guidance for AI use.
Getting started with AI at Aalto
If you are new to AI, the following resources are a good starting point:
- Aalto AI Assistant, our own AI Tool for everybody: A chat-based tool for Aalto personnel and students, connected to the same type of language model as ChatGPT or Google Gemini. It can be used for translations, text polishing, content & image creation and brainstorming. Aalto AI Assistant is safe environment, and public, internal, and confidential data classes can be uploaded to and used in the Aalto AI Assistant. However, no data classified as secret can be uploaded to the service or used in the service.
- Learn the basics of AI: Self-study course in MyCourses: "Artificial intelligence in your work and studies" and organized trainings for the whole Aalto community.
- Generative AI services: Aalto offers productised AI services (such as Aalto AI Assistant, API services for building your own apps, and AI-supported translation features in official tools). For more information, see the AI Services page.
Use these services in line with the guidelines in the "Work with AI" and other sections, and always review AI outputs critically.
AI Training for the Entire Aalto Community
After just an hour or two with our learning materials, you'll have a clear understanding of what AI is, how it can support your work, and what ethical principles guide its use..
AI Services
Information on Aalto University's official and productized AI services
AI news
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AI Training 14 September – Getting Started with Generative AI – Safe and Responsible Use at Aalto (in English)
This training introduces Aalto’s generative AI tools and how to use them responsibly in your studies, teaching, or daily work. You'll learn how the Aalto AI Assistant works, what kind of content is safe to use with AI, and how to write effective prompts.
AI Training 14 September – Getting Started with Generative AI – Safe and Responsible Use at Aalto (in Finnish)
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