Compare AI Tools

Generative AI tools process data using models to produce graphics, written content, summaries, and more. But only certain tools are approved for University of Minnesota data. This comparison can help you decide which approved tool is right for your application.

In addition to the tools listed below, several other generative AI tools are available online (for example, Claude and Perplexity, among others), some with a cost associated with them. These tools are not approved for any institutional data at UMN, even when data is anonymized.

Available tools: comparing features

Feature/capabilityGeminiMicrosoft CopilotNotebookLMZoom AI Companion
Enterprise-Grade Data ProtectionYes  Yes  Yes  Yes  
Conversational AI (Chatbot)Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes, when configured
AI-assisted writing and summarizationYes  Yes  Yes  Yes  
Access to Google Workspace ContentYes  NoYes  No
Image generationYes  Yes  NoNo
File uploadYes  NoYes  No
Create custom assistantsYes  NoNoNo
Research paper discovery and citation analysisNoNoYes, following guidanceNo
Online meeting support and note takingNoNoNoYes  
Video generationNoNoYesNo
TranscriptionNoNoYesYes

Available tools: comparing allowed data types

Data allowedGeminiMicrosoft CopilotNotebookLMZoom AI Companion
Public dataYesYesYesYes
Private-Restricted dataYes, following guidanceNoYes - following guidanceYes, following guidance
Private-Highly Restricted dataYes - following guidanceNoNoNo