Researching with AI
Whether you are developing new AI models or thinking about incorporating AI into your research for the first time, find the resources and guidance you need to experiment and innovate.
Artificial intelligence is transforming research across disciplines at the University, offering new ways to analyze data, accelerate discovery, and explore complex questions. From collaborations to hands-on computing resources, researchers have access to tools, expertise, and training that support responsible and innovative use of AI.
The Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence (NNCI) is a University-wide hub connecting researchers building and using AI tools in their research. The NNCI website includes a list of Northwestern institutes and centers engaged in AI work, and NNCI hosts a Distinguished Speaker Series that includes discussion of AI research applications.
The AI Tools and Use Guidance chart lists the AI tools and services that have been approved for use with University data, including research data.
Non-public research data should not be shared with AI tools other than those that have been reviewed and approved by the University. Before incorporating AI tools into your research workflow, please review the Northwestern Guidance on the Use of Generative AI. To discuss options for safely using AI tools and services outside of the approved list in your research, contact security@northwestern.edu.
See Using AI Transcription Tools for Research for guidance on keeping research interviews and recordings secure.
Quest, Northwestern’s high-performance computing cluster, includes over 200 NVIDIA Tesla A100 and H100 GPUs and is available to all Northwestern researchers.
Northwestern IT Research Computing and Data Services computational specialists can also assist Northwestern researchers with accessing national computing resources appropriate for AI workflows, including the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) and the Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem: Services & Support (ACCESS).
Research Computing and Data Services can also support you in setting up and using cloud computing resources.
Data scientists from Research Computing and Data Services are avaiIable to answer questions about using AI in research, help you incorporate AI models and tools into your workflow, or collaborate on research projects.
Workshops on AI tools and the foundational skills for working with AI tools, such as Python and R, are offered both virtually and in person by Research Computing and Data Services data scientists.
Research Computing and Data Services’s documentation includes tutorials and resource guides for learning to work with AI models and tools. These include:
Northwestern learning resources beyond Northwestern IT include: