Using AI tools can improve our work processes, increase efficiency and give us more time for what matters most.
AI can be used to create presentations, draft emails or memos, job descriptions and more. We encourage you to take advantage of these valuable resources to enhance your role and discover ways that AI can meet your needs. They’re not just resources; they’re your allies in innovation.
When innovating with AI, share your process improvements with your supervisor to facilitate progress and ideas among your team.
University-provided AI tools
Did you know the university provides access to institution-supported tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, for staff AI needs? These services are provided to staff at no additional cost and are supported through university investments. When accessed via university Single Sign-On authentication, these tools help ensure enterprise-grade security, data protection and compliance safeguards.
Additional premium tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot Premium, are available at reduced costs negotiated through university-wide licensing.
Training resources
Percipio, the university’s online learning platform, offers several beginner-friendly training resources for how to responsibly use AI tools. Take this training to explore how AI could support you in your role.
Refer to these recordings from recent Staff Development Week sessions that highlight the use of AI across our campus, including:
- AI in Action: Abbie O’Sullivan, director of enterprise architecture and IT accessibility with the MU Division of IT, provides an overview of AI tools, trends and takeaways. This was originally shared during Staff Development Week in January 2026.
- Copilot Chat Overview Included With Your M365 License: Division of IT trainers explain core concepts for Microsoft 365 Copilot chat.
- Explore the New AI Cookbook with Recipes and More: Justin Palozola, associate director of AI, shares a resource designed to help educators and instructional designers with practical strategies for using generative artificial intelligence.
How to create a custom agent
This custom agent for Microsoft Copilot (either Premium or Basic versions) will walk you through discovering what AI can do for you in your daily/weekly/monthly tasks and projects.
Which version of Copilot do I have?
- Microsoft Copilot (Basic) is provided at no cost to all Mizzou faculty, staff and students. Go to copilot.microsoft.com and select “Work” and login with your university Single Sign-On credentials. Once logged in, you will see a green check mark/shield icon in the upper right side of the dashboard. You will see which license you have in the lower left side of your Copilot dashboard once you’ve logged in at copilot.microsoft.com using your university Single Sign-On.
- Microsoft Copilot (Premium) is a paid service that adds additional Copilot features directly to Microsoft 365 apps. This paid, elevated license is available for purchase by faculty and staff and includes Copilot experiences inside Microsoft 365 apps. Visit the software directory to learn more or purchase a license.
General Efficiency and Productivity
- Summarize Meetings: Turn meeting notes or recordings into clear summaries with key action items. Ask AI to give you highlights from meetings you attended this week, as well as any action items you were assigned. As long as transcripts were on, it can summarize the meeting content and follow-up items.
- Process Documentation: Ask AI to simplify complex or technical instructions into plain language.
- Create To-Do Lists: Quickly generate step-by-step to-do lists for recurring tasks or projects. Use the prompt ‘recap my day from emails, chats, files and scheduled meetings’ in the middle of my day, then again at the end of the day. That way you can review your daily actions, interactions and activities.
- Sort Data: Ask AI to categorize or group responses from surveys or forms. This can be especially helpful with open-ended survey questions.
Writing and Communication
- Polish Drafts: Refine memos, announcements, or reports for clarity and tone.
- Proofreading: Catch typos or suggest grammar and formatting fixes before sending important documents.
Professional Growth Tips
- Refresh Skills: Ask AI to explain new tech tools or trends in your field.
- Create Training Aids: Build quick learning modules, quizzes or “how-to” guides for colleagues.
- Career Development: Refine bios for conferences and LinkedIn profiles.
Collaboration and Planning
- Write Agendas: Build structured meeting agendas with time estimates and talking points.
- Make Timelines: Generate draft project timelines with milestones and dependencies.
- Sort Ideas: Cluster brainstorming ideas into themes after a group session.
- Practice Presentations: Simulate audience Q&A to prepare for a presentation to leadership or stakeholders.
