3 Capabilities of GenAI
Non-exclusive list of GenAI capabilities
Creating content
Generating original written text, visual art, audio, or software code based on a prompt to serve as a starting point for further refining, editing, and creative iteration.
- Generating an initial outline for a research paper
- Creating promotional flyer drafts for a student organization using a text-to-image prompt
- Designing a photomontage of your dog wearing historical garb and a crown
- Identifying syntax errors and bugs in a block of Python code by supplying GenAI with a specific troubleshooting scenario
- Drafting resume and cover letters tailored to specific job postings
Summary & Synthesis
Condensing long texts, complex research, or raw audio notes into key takeaways, structured bulleted lists, or simplified explanations.
- Transcribing and summarizing audio notes from a study group session into action items for the team.
- Condensing a housing contract or lease agreement to identify key rules, fee structures, and move-out dates.
Brainstorming
Acting as a sounding board to provide diverse options, alternative perspectives, and creative structure to your initial concepts.
- Generating keywords and search strings to enter into a library database based on a research question
- Brainstorming presentation topics based on a broad idea
- Enhancing a slide deck by prompting GenAI for audience-focused feedback, structural suggestions, and design ideas
- Drafting versions of an email to your professor or advisor based on tone (professional, casual, etc.)
Personalization & Planning:
Processing complex constraints like strict time frames, budgets, dietary restrictions, or skill levels to generate custom schedules or step-by-step action plans.
- Building a weekly study schedule that balances class times, part-time work shifts, study windows, and downtime.
- Inputting a weekly grocery budget and dining hall meal plan to generate a simple dorm-friendly routine.
- Designing a workout schedule around your campus recreation center hours and target fitness goals.
Learning support
Functioning as a virtual tutor to explain concepts, synthesize information, and create step-by-step problem demonstrations.
- Asking GenAI to “explain what probabilistic response models are like I’m 12 years old” to build foundational understanding of a topic
- Uploading your own lecture notes and ask GenAI to act as a study partner to ask you questions and evaluate your responses
- Inputting a job’s salary offer and your student loan payment obligations, rent, and monthly expenses to model your financial outlook.
Human verification and critical evaluation are necessary for every GenAI-related task, no matter the capabilities.
Example Prompt
“If I have classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings (8-10am), Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (2-4pm) and a night class on Tuesday night (7pm), could you create a possible study schedule for me including time to eat meals, 3 workouts a week and time to work at my job (2 6 hour shifts each weekend) on Saturday and Sunday?”
Monday
- 8:00–10:00 AM: Class
- 10:00–10:30 AM: Breakfast
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Study
- 1:00–2:00 PM: Lunch
- 2:00–3:00 PM: Workout
- 3:30–5:30 PM: Study
- 6:00–7:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:30–9:00 PM: Light review or rest
