Generative AI

Common generative AI tools

Innumerable generative AI tools are available. Rather than attempt to list all of them, this page lists a few most well-known text generating tools. Each tool is accompanied by a description, requirements to create an account, costs, and information about privacy. Note that a tool's inclusion on this list is not an endorsement.

For a more comprehensive list, refer to Ithaka S+R's Generative AI Product Tracker [English only].

Updated: October 2025

Text generators

Copilot by Microsoft

  • Description: Microsoft's generative AI tool, powered by OpenAI's large language models, including GPT-5. Members of the University of Ottawa have access to Copilot with enterprise data protection when they log in with their uOAccess account. Access from https://copilot.cloud.microsoft/
  • Accounts: Copilot permits limited use without an account. A Microsoft account is required for increased use. A Microsoft account requires full name, date of birth, and country of residence. A uOAccess account it required to access Copilot with enterprise data protection.
  • Cost: The free version of Copilot has limited use compared to Copilot Pro. Copilot Pro costs $27 CAD per month and includes integration with Office apps among other features.
  • Privacy: As with any generative AI tool, do not enter any information you don't want to be retained by the tool. Members of the University of Ottawa have access to Microsoft Copilot with enterprise data protection if they sign in to Copilot with their uOttawa account. Look for the shield icon once you have logged in. This protects data from being shared with Microsoft and OpenAI; however, according to Policy 90, the University of Ottawa can access members’ conversations with Copilot to “investigate instances or complaints of non-compliance with University policies, procedures, standards, or academic regulations,” among other reasons.
  • Notes: Uses the same large language models as ChatGPT.

ChatGPT by OpenAI

  • Description: ChatGPT by OpenAI is the most well-known text generating tool.
  • Accounts: ChatGPT accounts require an email address, full name, and date of birth. ChatGPT can be used without an account.
  • Cost: The free version of ChatGPT has limited features; ChatGPT Plus has more features costs $20 USD per month, which is about $27 CAD. ChatGPT Pro has even more features and costs $200 USD per month, which is about $270 CAD.
  • Privacy: As with any generative AI tool, do not enter any information you don't want to be retained by the tool. By default, ChatGPT remembers information from your previous conversations, and it uses your data to improve the model. You can turn these off in the settings.
  • Notes: Despite the openness suggested by its name, OpenAI is a for-profit, private company, and ChatGPT is neither open source nor transparent in how it operates. Beware of impostor apps and sites posing as ChatGPT.

Le Chat by Mistral

  • Description: Le Chat is a generative AI tool by French company, Mistral.
  • Accounts: Le Chat permits limited use without an account. A Mistral account is required for continued use. A Mistral account requires a name and email address.
  • Cost: The free version of Le Chat permits limited use; Le Chat Pro provides more usage and costs $15 USD per month, which is about $21 CAD. Mistral offers student pricing for Le Chat Pro at $6 USD per month, which is about $8 CAD.
  • Privacy: As with any generative AI tool, do not enter any information you don't want to be retained by the tool.

Gemini by Google

  • Description: Google's generative AI tool.
  • Accounts: A Google account is required to use Gemini. A Google account requires first name, date of birth, gender, and mobile phone number for SMS verification.
  • Cost: The free version of Gemini has limited features; Gemini Pro offers access to more advanced models and costs $27 CAD per month.
  • Privacy: As with any generative AI tool, do not enter any information you don't want to be retained by the tool.

Claude by Anthropic

  • Description: Claude is a generative AI chatbot by Anthropic, a public-benefit corporation formed by former members of OpenAI.
  • Accounts: A Claude account requires an email address, full name, date of birth, and mobile phone number for SMS verification.
  • Cost: The free version of Claude provides limited usage; Claude Pro provides more usage and models and costs $20 USD per month, which is about $27 CAD. Claude Max offers even more usage and costs upwards of $100 USD per month, which is about $140 CAD.
  • Privacy: As with any generative AI tool, do not enter any information you don't want to be retained by the tool.

Meta AI by Meta

  • Description: Meta's generative AI tool, powered by Llama, and integrated into Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Whatsapp, and the latest Meta AR/VR devices.
  • Accounts: Meta AI permits limited use without an account. A Facebook account is required for continued use and to access additional features. A Facebook account requires a name, email address or mobile phone number, date of birth, and gender.
  • Cost: Meta AI is currently free.
  • Privacy: Since Meta AI is being integrated with Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, any privacy concerns related with those apps apply while using Meta AI.