Approved AI Tools in Aalto

Aalto IT Services offer AI services and tools together with schools' IT. Their security and privacy have been evaluated, and they are categorised as safe to use in reasearch.  Always prefer approved AI services when handling your research data.

AI Tools by IT Services

AI Assistant

AI Assistant is Aalto’s own AI chat built on state-of-the-art large language models (LLM) and a local model, designed for high security and privacy. Aalto AI Assistant

AI APIs

AI APIs are programmatic interfaces to large language models provided by Aalto or Aalto's partners. The selection of LLMs is continuously evolving. API access is intended for handling large volumes of research data.AI APIs

Coding Assistants

Coding assistants are AI-driven agents capable of autonomously handling complex programming tasks and also other multi-step tasks.Coding Assistants

Virtual Desktop with GPUs

Virtual desktops (VDI) are remote-access virtual workstations that let you run applications as if on your own computer. Aalto's VDI 3 service includes GPUs.Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

AI Tools by Aalto Scientific Computing

Local Large Language Model Gateway

The Local LLM Gateway is a web service that lets you create API keys to access local LLMs running in Aalto’s data centre. It is suitable for research and teaching.Local LLM Gateway

Speech-to-Text

Speech-to-text is an AI-powered transcription service built on Whisper. It provides fast, cost-effective speech-to-text in many languages and runs in Aalto’s data centre. It is suitable for research and teaching.Speech-to-Text

Large Language models on Triton

Triton is SCI’s supercomputer. You can run large language models on it, though it requires more manual setup and advanced skills. It’s well-suited for experimenting with open‑weight models and for running batch jobs.Triton

AI Tools by Aalto Learning Centre

Primo Research Assistant

Primo is the Learning Centre’s search engine. It features an AI chat that answers questions based on the information it holds about international books and articles. It’s ideal for researchers seeking information on a specific topic and looking to find relevant e-resources.Aalto Primo-AI

AI Tools by IT Center for Science

IT Center for Science (CSC) is a close partner of Aalto University.

GPU resources from the CSC cPouta service

cPouta is CSC’s IaaS cloud service offering also GPU resources. Resource use is free, and you can reserve GPU-equipped servers for short- or long-term needs.cPouta

Aitta - Large Language Models on LUMI

Aitta is CSC’s on-demand lacol AI API service running on the LUMI supercomputer. It lets you automatically launch multiple language models and access them via APIs. The service is intended for research and, for now, is suitable only for public data. It has an API and web interface.Aitta

SIKT AI (pilot coming)

SIKT AI is an AI platform tailored for education and research.SIKT AI

More AI Tools

AI tools are evolving rapidly. Officially Aalto-approved tools are often not sufficient, and other tools may be used under certain restrictions.

From public clouds

Aalto maintains agreements with Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud that cover a broad range of integrated application offerings, including AI. Clouds' marketplaces also provide numerous third‑party tools. Procuring the services via public clouds is often a smooth approach but it requires some technical skills.

Even if the tools from public clouds are allowed under the Aalto's cloud framework, some may have additional procurement requirements and terms. Evaluate their security and privacy before use. Cloud services can also incur significant costs, so ensure you have a budget. Contact the IT Service Desk for help assessing whether AI-based cloud services are a working solution for you use case.

Personal AI Tools

You may use external personal AI tools or services if you work only with public data and do not use your Aalto account. Be aware that some local tools can automatically access files on your workstation. For example, Claude Cowork must not be used even with public data and a local account, while ChatGPT may be used with your personal account as long as you do not share any Aalto data.

Always prefer Aalto-approved tools when they are suitable.

Ideas how AI can be used in research

Running AI models in supercomputers

Computing is central to AI, as large language models and machine learning are fundamentally compute-intensive. Aalto provides ready-made APIs for LLMs, but you can also use computing resources to run your own AI experiments like finetuning small models.

Aalto IT Services doesn’t provide GPU clusters for end users. However, Aalto Scientific Computing (SciComp) offers access to the Triton supercomputer; GPUs can also be reserved from CSC via the cPouta service, and CSC’s Aitta service provides access to language models running on the LUMI supercomputer.

Processing data sets with AI

Aalto’s standard AI tools and storage are suitable for data up to Confidential and can be used for routine research activities. Secret data, such as patent sensitive information or special categories of personal data, cannot use common AI tools and must be stored and processed in the more secure SECDATA environment. Local language models can be run within SECDATA.

Boosting efficiency using AI tools on workstations

You may use Aalto approved AI tools on Aalto managed devices. Other cloud or local AI services may be used with public non sensitive data without an Aalto account. Some online AI services carry significant risks, so use only reputable providers and tools. Do not allow unapproved AI tools to access data on your workstation.

For experimenting with other, non-approved services or tools, we recommend using a separate “sandbox” laptop dedicated to testing.

Using AI to find research funding

AI can be very effective for discovering funding opportunities and research credits. For example, using ChatGPT with a personal account is fine for broad searches, but do not share any confidential information with ChatGPT or other non‑approved tools. Agent-style tools like Anthropic Claude Code or Codex can also help automate multi‑step searches for funding options.

For drafting the final funding applications or describing your research, always use Aalto‑approved AI tools (e.g., the AI Assistant). This helps ensure your data is handled securely and in line with Aalto’s policies.

Ethical use of AI

AI tools are powerful and can significantly improve work. However, they can also be used in harmful or illegal ways. Make sure you use AI ethically and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations.

Responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the research process

AI in research - TENK's recommendation

Experimenting and learning the latest AI tools

Aalto is launching a temporary pathway for proposing small, controlled AI experiments in research, teaching, and selected services to enable real world piloting while managing risks related to licensing, costs, data protection, information security, and compliance. Anyone requesting or using an experimental tool is personally responsible for following core principles, avoiding personal, confidential, or secret data, staying within the approved scope and timeframe, and confirming the tool’s terms and conditions are acceptable.

Requesting approval for a new tool

If you need a new AI tool to process confidential work data, you must apply for compliance approval. The review may be quick or require additional documentation, depending on the use case and risk. IT Services provides common AI tools for research, but departments must procure and confirm compliance for tools intended solely for their own use. IT Services offers assistance on compliance matters.

Never use non-approved tool for confidential data without evaluating its privacy and security.

Support for AI use

Need help in using AI in your research?

• For simple, specific queries, contact the IT Service Desk: servicedesk@aalto.fi
• For broader AI needs, reach out to your school’s IT Customer Relation Manager (its-crm@aalto.fi) or contact RSITE
• For building technical AI solutions, contact the Research Software Engineers
• Get fast consultation in SciComp Garage
• For using CSC services, contact CSC directly or Aalto ITS' CRMs (its-crm@aalto.fi)