AI Tools for Academic Work
This website provides a structured overview of the guidelines governing the use of AI in teaching and research at the University of Bern, along with relevant AI tools presented as a practical “toolbox” and information on available training opportunities. It serves as a central, Topic specific hub for information on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of information literacy and academic work at the University of Bern and the University Library of Bern.
AI Guidelines
The use of AI tools is generally permitted at the University of Bern. However, lecturers decide whether and to what extent AI tools may be used in the context of their courses and for assignments. Please clarify the respective regulations with your instructors or the institute at which you are conducting research, respectively.
The most important guidelines are linked on this page: KILOF – AI in Teaching, Organization and Research
- Guidelines for AI in teaching (German only)
- FAQ on the use of AI in teaching (German only): University: FAQ on the use of AI-supported tools in teaching – Vice-Rectorate Teaching, University of Bern
- Guidelines for the use of AI in research
AI Tools
Currently, there ar no institutional licences available through the University of Bern for General AI assistants such ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity or Gemini. You may therefore either use the free versions or purchase a licence independently (at your own cost).
The IT Services of the University of Bern, in collaboration with KILOF, the Data Science Lab (DSL) and the Digitalization Steering Group (SDIG), are continously evaluating AI products, so there may be changes in regards to the availability of licences for AI Tools in future.
- An overview of available AI tools can be found on the page (German only): University: Generative AIs – University of Bern
- Alphabetical list of tools for academic work, provided by our subject librarians: Research: Tools – University Library of Bern
- Find tools for data-driven research on the page of our Digital Scholarship unit: Service: Digital Scholarship – University Library of Bern
AI Training
Having a basic understanding of how AI tools work is helpful in order to use them effectively in the process of academic work. Below you find self-study resources and on-site courses that are free to use for members of the University of Bern.
Training Opportunities at the University of Bern
Self-study course: “AI Language Tools in Your Studies”, University of Bern, Learning and Development (LEAD) and Innovative Teaching & Learning Technologies (ILUB), on ILIAS. Access: Studies: AI Language Tools in Your Studies – University of Bern
Workshop: “Using AI responsibly for searching, reading, and writing: Critical thinking and sustainable best practices”. Access: Registration: Using AI responsibly for searching, reading, and writing: Critical thinking and sustainable best practices: Service: Courses – University Library of Bern
Further courses can be found on our website: Courses - University Library of Bern UB
Self-study Courses provided by other Universities and Research Organizations
- Self-study course: AI-based tools for scientific writing and research, ETH Zurich Library. Access: Login via Shibboleth. Select the University of Bern from the dropdown menu and then log in with your personal SWITCH edu-ID. Course link
- AI tools for literature research, ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences). (German only)
Access: Guest login with SWITCH edu-ID and organization (University of Bern). Then accept the terms of use for ZHAW Moodle courses. Course link - InfoTrack – Training for Information Literacy, University of Geneva Library: two chapters on academic work with generative AI, based on CC learning materials from the University of Maryland Libraries and Teaching and Learning Transformation Centers. Direct links:
https://infotrack.unige.ch/en/assess-GenAI-output
https://infotrack.unige.ch/en/referencing-generative-AI - Online course: Researching and Writing with Text-Generating AI, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) (German only).
https://opencourses.kit.edu/ilias.php?baseClass=ilrepositorygui&cmd=infoScreenGoto&ref_id=2188
Learning offerings from the AI Campus
AI Campus learning platform of the German Stifterverband for German science on the topic of artificial intelligence:
- Prompt Lab: Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching – Basics
KI-Campus – learning platform of the German Stifterverband for the Promotion of Science on artificial intelligence. Access: Create an account with email address and password. Course link - Further videos, courses, and podcasts can be found via the KI-Campus homepage: AI Campus | The learning platform for artificial intelligence