2.1. Text-Based AI models

Currently, five major applications have gained popularity in the AI market, offering a user-friendly interface. All of them function based on human conversation principles and are suitable for generating, editing, and translating texts. The differences lie primarily in the format and volume of input and output, as well as in their integration with other services (e.g., image generators, search engines, etc.). When choosing applications, it is important to consider:

• Data protection and security – especially when handling sensitive information;
• Ease of use and language support – for example, whether the application supports Estonian and meets your needs;
• Differences between paid and free versions – in terms of available features and limitations.

Microsoft Products

Web address: https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat/

It is recommended to use Copilot Chat while signed in with your University of Tartu account, ensuring that the data used in conversations is protected.

University of Tartu staff and students can use Microsoft Copilot Chat free of charge with their ut.ee account. It is an AI-based chatbot that can be used on the web and in a mobile application, and it is protected with a higher level of security. Your conversations and uploaded files are not used for training AI models.

Copilot Chat helps speed up everyday work by supporting users in activities such as creating materials, generating ideas, and conducting analysis. In addition, it provides support for teachers and students by helping to quickly find answers and structure thoughts and ideas. Copilot Chat is an innovative product that is continuously being tested and developed, and therefore, the user experience may change over time. Currently, Copilot Chat uses GPT-5 and DALL·E models. Read more on the Computer Help page.

Through Computer Help, it is also possible to order a paid Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI-based assistant that integrates with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. The same license also enables the use of additional Copilot Chat features such as Researcher, Analyst, and Notebooks. As this is a paid license, higher security requirements also apply. Your conversations and work files are not used for training AI models.

GitHub Copilot is an assistant for software developers who wish to use AI capabilities in coding. The university does not currently provide this service centrally, but it is possible to join the Campus Program individually, which allows the use of GitHub Copilot free of charge with an educational license. See the Computer Help guide for instructions on how to order a license.

As a more technical solution, university members can use the Azure OpenAI API service, which enables the use of the latest language models through a custom-built application or user interface. This is a paid service, and more information is available on the Computer Help page.

Microsoft Copilot

Website: https://copilot.microsoft.com/

Staff and students at the University of Tartu can use the enterprise version of Microsoft Copilot, an AI-based text assistant, ensuring that data used in conversations remains protected and does not leak outside the organisation.

Microsoft itself describes Copilot as “your everyday AI companion, offering AI-powered conversations on the web.” The enterprise version available to University of Tartu staff and students (ChatGPT-4 + DALL·E 3) ensures that conversation data remains secure within the organization. Through a convenient user interface, users can interact with AI and choose between different response styles. Microsoft Copilot is integrated with Edge and Chrome extensions. Users can provide input in text format or as a file (.doc, .xls, .pdf). Image files cannot be uploaded, but the output can be text, images, or tables. The maximum input length is 2,000 characters, and the output is limited to 8,000 characters.

As a more technical solution, Azure OpenAI API is available to university members, enabling access to OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4o, and GPT-4o Turbo models. These models are known for their ability to generate content, summarize large datasets, conduct semantic searches, translate natural language into code, and more. The Azure OpenAI API also allows interaction with AI, but through custom applications or interfaces. See the IT department’s Azure OpenAI API guide for more details.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an integrated AI application that functions within various Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and Teams, offering recommendations, content generation, and task automation. As of October 3, 2024, Estonian language support is not yet available (see Microsoft Copilot’s supported languages).

GitHub Copilot is an AI assistant for software developers, helping to generate code. The university does not currently provide centralized access to this service, but individuals can join the Campus Program, which allows the use of GitHub Copilot for free under an educational license.

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Website: https://chatgpt.com/

ChatGPT can assist with writing and editing text, programming, and data analysis. Input can be provided as text, voice commands, or uploaded files. It’s possible to activate the web content analysis function. Output can be text, tables, or images.

The free version provides access to core functionalities and even the latest models, albeit with certain limitations. Conversation volume, response quality, and speed may be somewhat more modest for free users. The paid version brings significant advantages: greater usage capacity, priority access to the service, a broader selection of models, and the ability to create personalized GPT models for specific needs.

Gemini (Google DeepMind)

Website: https://gemini.google.com/app

Gemini integrates with various Google services. Input can be provided as text and image files, as well as simpler voice commands. Output can be text, tables, or images.

The free version uses Google’s latest models and offers all core functionalities. The paid version has greater conversation capacity, additional integration options, and higher-quality responses.

Claude (Anthropic)

Website: https://claude.ai/

According to the developers, this application focuses on safety and reliability and has large memory capacity, good analytical and coding capabilities. Claude doesn’t use real-time internet searches at all. Input can be text, .pdf, .doc, .txt, and image files. It’s well-suited for analyzing extensive documents or having long, in-depth conversations.

The free version allows use of the latest models with sufficient usage capacity to cover everyday needs. The paid version brings even greater usage capacity, priority service, and some additional features.

Perplexity (Perplexity AI)

Website: https://www.perplexity.ai/

Perplexity is designed to provide answers with source citations. This application can search for information in real-time, compare data from different sources, and analyze user-uploaded files.

The free version allows unlimited standard searches, though advanced searches can be performed a limited number of times during a given period. The system uses several different popular AI models. With the paid version, you can perform unlimited advanced searches, choose from additional models, and receive preferential access to the service.

DeepSeek (DeepSeek AI)

Website: https://deepseek.com

DeepSeek is a free Chinese AI application based on its own language model. It can be accessed via a Google account either through a web browser or as a downloadable desktop application. Due to high demand, the service is often overloaded, but it performs well on a variety of tasks. Input can be text or files, and output can be text, code, or mathematical solutions. When using the DeepSeek-R1 model, there are two main risks: built-in censorship and the storage of user data and information on servers located in China. Data may also be shared with Chinese intelligence agencies, as Chinese companies are legally required to provide such information upon government request. In addition, China lacks data protection regulations comparable to those of the European Union. Therefore, the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA) recommends not entering sensitive work-related or personal information into DeepSeek applications (RIA, 2025).

NotebookLM

Website: https://notebooklm.google/

NotebookLM is an AI application developed by Google that supports content analysis and creation. It helps users manage, analyze, and structure information from multiple sources while allowing them to take notes. A unique feature of NotebookLM is its ability to generate podcasts based on documents, making content acquisition easier and more versatile.

For more details, see: https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-goes-global-support-for-websites-slides-fact-check/

SciSpace

Website: https://scispace.com

SciSpace is designed for researchers and students to streamline the research process. Its main feature, SciSpace Copilot, acts as a personal research assistant, helping with literature reviews and summarizing relevant academic papers. Additionally, it supports semantic search, enabling users to quickly find relevant research findings and data.

Scopus AI

Website: https://www.scopus.com/

Starting in 2025, members of the University of Tartu network will have access to Scopus AI, a new feature of Elsevier’s citation database Scopus. Searches can be conducted using questions or hypotheses in any language. Scopus AI generates English-language responses based on article abstracts within the database.

For more information, see https://utlib.ut.ee/en/news/scopus-ai-now-available-ut-members