HokieAI is Virginia Tech's secure enterprise AI platform, providing instructors and students with access to powerful generative AI models within a protected environment approved for up to high-risk data. This article provides guidance for instructors on accessing the platform, integrating it into their courses, and leveraging AI for teaching and learning.

You can explore other knowledge base articles on HokieAI here: Knowledge Base - HokieAI

Instructors may wish to familiarize themselves with HokieAI because it offers a safe, university-approved way to integrate generative AI into teaching and learning while maintaining academic standards and data security. 

Getting Started

Accessing the Portal

Instructors and students can access the platform at hokie.ai.vt.edu (or hokie.ai) by signing in with their VT username and passphrase. For more detail, please refer to Getting Started with HokieAI: A Quick Onboarding Guide.

Linking from Canvas

To ensure easy access for students, instructors are encouraged to add the HokieAI portal link (https://hokie.ai.vt.edu/) to their Canvas course sites. To add a custom HokieAI link to the course navigation menu, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the course site
2. Click Settings
3. Navigation tab
4. Click Add a Link
5. Type or paste in “https://hokie.ai.vt.edu/” in the Link field and “HokieAI” in the Text field, then click Add. 
6. Finally, click Save.
   
   

 HokieAI should now appear in the left-hand navigation bar for the course. 

Leveraging HokieAI in the Classroom

HokieAI allows instructors to create and utilize personal agents tailored to specific pedagogical needs. These agents can serve several functions:

• Virtual Tutor: Set up an agent to provide 24/7 support for students, answering questions based on course-specific materials.
• Role-Playing Partner: Students can interact with agents designed to simulate specific personas, such as historical figures, clients, or patients, to practice communication and problem-solving skills.
• Course Syllabus Assistant: Create an agent that can quickly answer student questions regarding course policies, schedules, and assignment requirements.

These are just a few examples. By customizing your personal agent’s instructions and files, you can create AI assistants tailored to the context of your course. Learn more through Creating a Personal Agent in HokieAI. 

AI and Academic Integrity at Virginia Tech

Maintaining academic integrity in the age of generative AI requires proactive communication and intentional course design rather than reliance on detection tools.

Setting Expectations

Clear syllabus communication is your most effective tool. We encourage you to:

• Define Usage: Clearly articulate when and how AI is permitted. Consider using the AI Assessment Scale (ranging from 'No AI' to 'Full AI') to provide students with concrete tiers of acceptable use. Ask students to disclose AI use appropriately. 
• Reference Governing Policies: Ensure your course policies align with the Undergraduate Honor Code (Policy 6000) or the Graduate Honor System.
• Use Official Resources: Consult the Office of Undergraduate Academic Integrity (OUAI) for suggested syllabus language and TLOS or CETL for guidance on designing authentic assessments that resist AI-generated work.

What happens if I exceed my monthly usage limit?

See Why did I receive an error about reaching my monthly budget limit in HokieAI? 

Support & Resources

For additional guidance on the ethical use of AI, technical support, or teaching consultations, please visit the following university resources:

• ai.vt.edu: The central hub for AI governance, principles, and tools at Virginia Tech.
• Schedule a consultation with TLOS: For support with educational technology and teaching consultations.
• Schedule a consultation with CETL: For pedagogical guidance and resources.
• 4Help: For technical issues or platform access questions.