Not too long ago, generative artificial intelligence (AI) might’ve sounded like something out of a sci-fi movie. Now it’s here, and it’s ready to help you write emails, schedule meetings and even create presentations.
In a recent Information Technology Services (ITS) Summer Series session, Technology Transformation Specialist Shannon Glennon shared tips and use cases for faculty and staff who may be curious, but cautious, about incorporating generative AI tools into their day-to-day workflows.
Here are five easy ways to start using generative AI to work smarter, not harder—no technology degree required.
1. Compose Emails With Professionalism and Poise
Whether you’re reaching out to a colleague or following up with a student, AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can help you draft professional, polished emails in seconds.
“Start with what you’re looking to create,” Glennon says. “Be specific, provide context and don’t be afraid to refine your prompt if you don’t get the results you’re looking for.”
Pro tip: Try sharing a few of your past emails with the AI tool you’re using so it can learn your tone and style.
2. Let AI Be Your Personal Assistant
Tired of the back-and-forth of scheduling meetings? With a Microsoft Copilot Work license (ask your IT team for more details), Copilot can easily check Outlook calendars, propose time slots and even send invites since the tool is part of the Microsoft 365 suite. This creates more time for you to focus on other important tasks.
“It’s like having a scheduling sidekick who’s always hyper-attuned to your team’s availability,” says Glennon.
3. Create Docs, Decks and Forms in a Flash
Need a PowerPoint for an upcoming presentation or a form to collect student feedback? Copilot can help you generate PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, Excel sheets, Microsoft Forms and more.
“You can create a presentation from scratch or summarize a meeting transcript into a Word doc for future reference—it’s all about saving time,” Glennon says.
Pro tip: With a Microsoft Copilot Work license, obtaining meeting transcripts will be easier when you use Teams instead of Zoom, due to integration across M365 apps.
4. Summarize Longer, More Complex Source Material Into Concise Bullet Points
Want to capture the gist of the University’s academic strategic plan but you’re stretched for time to read 5,000-plus words? AI can help you summarize long texts (think: research papers, academic articles, policies, reports) into concise, digestible summaries. You can even have fun with it: Try having a document summarized in the style of your favorite baseball announcer or Yoda.
Pro-tip: AI is still known to return incorrect information and hallucinate occasionally, so always check its work.
5. Add Some Visual Flair
Need an image for a presentation or social media post? AI tools can generate custom visuals in seconds—no design skills required.
“AI-generated images are great for making your content pop,” Glennon says. “It’s an easy way to add visual interest to reports and presentations.”
Ready to give it a try? Just remember that any University-owned data should only be entered after logging in to University-approved AI tools and platforms, using your syr.edu or g.syr.edu credentials.
As Glennon put it: “Generative AI isn’t just a trend, it’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s all about how you use it.”
Bonus: Stay in the Loop With ITS Resources
You can subscribe to the AI Insights newsletter for periodic tips, demos and updates. Don’t forget to check out the videos of past training sessions or register for an upcoming session:
- Aug. 12: Orange Access: Modernizing Identity Management
