AI for Aalto students

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A collection of AI tips, tools and advice for Aalto students

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Aalto AI Assistant, for students - at

Now: A secure ChatGPT clone that protects your data. Used by thousands of personnel members and students. The Aalto AI Assistant is protected by multi‑factor authentication (MFA).

Soon: A tool to interact with Aalto data and student services, including the Student Guide, MyCourses, and teacher-assigned tasks

How to use Aalto AI Assistant

How Aalto protects its AI data

Aalto AI Assistant interface with conversation list on the left and welcome message on the right.

The ways of us using AI

Discover how fellow Aalto students are using AI to level up real‑world skills and why mastering AI is fast becoming a core competence for your future career. In these bite‑size videos, they share practical tips and ethical best practices with Aalto’s AI Assistant to help you build confidence and use AI responsibly. Press play and get inspired.

Tips for Aalto AI Assistant

Prompt Book webpage displaying categories like System prompts, AI Use Cases, Brainstorming, By prompt tech, Creating Content, Data Processing. — Get to know the Prompt Book: a) Under System Prompts, you’ll find ready‑made prompts that change how the AI responds. b) AI Use Cases are AI‑related stories from Aalto. c) Prompts are a collection of ready‑to‑use prompts for different purposes.

Text box reads 'Answer always in Swedish, as a person who...'. Below it are 'System prompt' and a button 'Advanced settings'. — With the System Prompt under Advanced settings, you can freely change how the AI respond: its role, output format, whether it asks you follow‑up questions, and more.

Language models listed: GPT 5.1, GPT 5, and GPT-OSS-120B, with descriptions for each. — The current language models in the Aalto AI Assistant are GPT‑based, the same as those in ChatGPT. We also offer a local GPT‑OSS model in which data remains entirely on Aalto’s servers. Google Gemini is on its way as well.

A dialogue box with 'Upload a File' and a 'Choose File' button. Below, a text states 'Read the PDF and …'. — Add PDF, TXT, and CSV files and copy-pasted images, then chat with and process the content.

Aalto University Schools and Departments: Arts, Business, Chemical Engineering. — Ask Aalto AI to turn your thoughts into mind maps. Not so fancy, but easy to edit and process.

Why to use Aalto AI Assistant

The main reasons are safety and privacy. Both user agreements and digital firewalls protect your data when using the Aalto AI Assistant, compared with services like ChatGPT. The Aalto AI Assistant does not use your data to train language models.

In addition, we can incorporate more of our own data into the assistant. We started with content from Aalto.fi and are moving on to academic sources such as MyCourses.

**Comparison of key features between ChatGPT and Aalto AI Assistant**
Feature	ChatGPT	Aalto AI Assistant
Protects your data (does not train LLMs)	❌	✅
Reads uploaded files (PDF)	✅	✅
Analyses images, converts to text	✅	✅
Possibility to discuss Aalto's content and data	❌ Never	✅ Chat with Aalto.fi (now for staff) Chat with Student Guide (coming up) MyCourses AI Assistant (coming up)
The tool can be used by including Aalto's...
... public content	✅	✅
... internal content	❌	✅
... confidential content	❌	✅
... secret content	❌	❌

Tips for studying with AI

Screenshot of a PowerPoint translation feature. Text 'Examples of daily AI use cases' is translated to Finnish.

Translate Office Documents

Word documents can be translated in their entirety at once.
PowerPoint presentations can be translated by paragraph or word.
Get to know Microsoft 365 tools to get started

A screenshot showing a transcription menu, a video call, and a text box for notes or transcription.

Let Teams follow your work meetings, and let the Aalto AI Assistant take the notes

A series of group projects is coming up and no one is taking notes? Tip: Write down a few basics by hand, then a) let Teams or Zoom capture your study group meetings as a transcript. One phone is enough; not everyone needs to join the meeting.
First, get everyone’s consent and, for example in Teams, enable transcription only. After the meeting - no matter how messy – b) copy the transcription and c) ask the AI Assistant to generate notes from the discussion; you can also provide a brief prompt with key terms to guide it.

Important: Do not share Aalto-internal or confidential conversations with ChatGPT.

Tips for using artificial intelligence in learning

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Guidance for the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning at Aalto University.

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Learn how Aalto University provides internal productised AI services to staff and students.

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Banner: “AI Spotlight” March 2026, with silhouettes on a lit blue stage and audience in foreground

Studies, University Published: 22.4.2026

AI Spotlight 04-2026: AI related events, trainings, news and tips for Aaltonians

Here you can pick AI news, spring events, and tool updates to use in your own or your unit's communications.

Search results for the search query 'When was Aalto founded', including an AI overview.

University Published: 11.3.2026

New AI-powered search features available on aalto.fi for internal users

New AI-powered features have been introduced to the internal search on aalto.fi. Based on the user’s search term, the new features can provide a written overview of the search results, suggest alternative search terms or enhance the original search term.

Abstract glass sculpture with crystal-like shards in a glass case, illuminated by blue light.

Research & Art Published: 6.3.2026

Applications open for Innovation Postdoc in AI

A fully funded, 12–18 month career track to turn your doctoral discoveries into deep-tech startups.

Research & Art Published: 23.2.2026

Chinonyelum Igwe’s contribution to the frontier of medical AI

Chinonyelum Igwe pursued her dual passions for medicine and AI through the AScI International Summer Research Programme

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28.4.

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Other staff training, Support for teams, Training to support research 28.4.2026 9:00 – 16:00 (UTC +3)

AI in Research Work, April 28, 2026

Learn about generative artificial intelligence in research work with Data Agents Dr. Enrico Glerean and Dr. Pedro Silva

28.4.

Red background with white geometric shapes: a semicircle on the left and a partial circle on the top right.

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research 28.4.2026 9:30 – 15:30 (UTC +3)

Learn about using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research.

4.5.

Abstract yellow fabric-like sheet with folds in a black frame on a plain light wall

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research, Workshops 4.5.2026 12:30 – 15:30 (UTC +3)

Aalto AI Talks: Creative practices and generative AI 4.5.2026

Join us for an insightful afternoon exploring AI in creative processes and artistic practice, including copyright and AI-generated content.

11.5.

Person with holographic display in a classroom setting.

Staff trainings 11.5.2026 9:15 – 10:30 (UTC +3)

AI Training 11 May – 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.

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Updated: 22.4.2026
Published: 27.8.2025

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