Getting Started with AI#
This section covers the commercial generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools available to Tufts researchers: the desktop chat applications and the agentic coding assistants that run on your own machine. It explains how to install them, which research data is appropriate for each, and how to configure them so that data stays protected.
These guides cover software that runs locally. For AI applications hosted on the Tufts High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster, including open-source chatbots, optical character recognition, and speech recognition, see Artificial Intelligence Tools.
Note
These guides provide general guidance for researchers using generative AI tools in research. They are intended to support informed decision-making and should not be interpreted as University policy or as a substitute for applicable regulatory, contractual, sponsor, Institutional Review Board (IRB), or other research requirements. Researchers remain responsible for ensuring that their use of AI complies with all applicable obligations and should consult Tufts Technology Services (TTS) when guidance for a specific use case is needed.
Attention
Confidential or regulated data (Institutional Data Level 3) may not be used with any of the tools described in this section. Check the Data Finder before you start, and email tts-research@tufts.edu with any questions about using these products with research data.
Using Claude for Research
Install and configure Anthropic’s Claude Cowork (Desktop) and Claude Code, and learn which data is appropriate for each.
Using ChatGPT for Research
Install and configure OpenAI’s ChatGPT Work (Desktop) and Codex, and learn which data is appropriate for each.
Securing Claude Team for Your Research Group
For faculty bringing graduate students, postdocs, or research staff onto a Claude Team plan: sharing, spend limits, retention, and managed policies.
AI Tools on the HPC Cluster
Ready for tools that run on Tufts hardware instead of your laptop? Use HPC-hosted chatbots, optical character recognition, speech recognition, and semantic text search.
To Get Support: - Please email tts-research@tufts.edu for questions about using generative AI tools with research data.