News for Pitt Faculty & Staff (October 2025)

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Panther Bytes for Faculty and Staff

Writer, Editor, Data Analyst: PittGPT Is the Ultimate Collaborator

Generative AI @ Pitt banner

Are you ready for the future of work? PittGPT is the brand new secure and custom-built AI platform designed to supercharge your productivity — exclusively for faculty and staff. Imagine a digital companion that not only keeps your personal and University data secure but also helps you brainstorm ideas, debug code, or even compose the perfect email. Start a conversation and try out some of these pro tips:

  • 📝 Templates kick-start commonly used chats
  • 📚 Data collections store your most-used data in one place
  • 📣 Personas put you in control of the conversation
  • ⌨️ The CREATE framework helps to maximize your messages
  • 🤖 Look for opportunities to automate your everyday tasks

Whether you're tackling a complex research project or navigating your daily administrative duties, PittGPT is here to empower you. No matter how you use it, you'll discover how PittGPT can save you time, spark new ideas, and help you unlock your full potential.

5 Ways to Get Started
 

Have You Said Goodbye to Windows 10?

Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, which means you may need to take action to ensure your device is up-to-date and secure. If you haven't already, be sure you're running Windows 11, or your device may need extra protection to continue using University resources.

 

Your New Hub for Research & Discovery

The Faculty Information System is getting a rebrand! Scholars@Pitt is a more powerful, all-in-one platform — better than LinkedIn — for faculty to organize, present, and report scholarly and research activities. The best part? Soon, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your profile publicly through the new Discovery module. More information is on its way, so keep an eye on your inbox.

 

AI Notetakers for Teams and Zoom

While there are a lot of AI notetakers on the market, only two are currently approved for University use: Teams AI Notes for Teams premium and Zoom AI Companion. These apps are built into the systems you're already using, and meet Pitt Digital's cybersecurity standards. Learn more about how these tools can enhance your meetings.

 

Pitt Digital's Transformation, Explained

Over the summer, we rebranded to Pitt Digital, marking a significant evolution in our role at the University. While our name has changed, our commitment to supporting you has not. We're here to provide the services you rely on while expanding our ability to pioneer innovative solutions that enhance your academic and professional experience.

 

Introducing the New Pitt Digital Website!

A fresh Pitt Digital website is up and running! Bookmark it as your go-to source for the latest news, tips, and information on services, software, and support offered by Pitt Digital, as well as essential IT guidance and governance. We’d love to hear your thoughts as we continually improve the site to best meet your needs. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey to share your feedback.

 
Bits & Bytes

Panther Bytes to Nibble On

Check out these bite-sized blogs about tech topics you should know.

  • Use Your Brain: How You Can Make GenAI More Effective
  • Generative AI Isn’t Going Anywhere — Here’s What You Need to Know

Invest In Your Professional Growth: Faculty and Staff Development Program

As a faculty or staff member, you are invited to register for programs that can help you reach your professional goals. Pitt Digital is hosting the following tech-focused workshops for the Faculty & Staff Development Program (FSDP) this fall:

  • DocuSign Basics: Gather eSignatures and Manage Document Workflow
  • IT Fundamentals for Administrators
  • Microsoft Excel: Worksheet, Formula, and Chart Fundamentals
  • Microsoft OneDrive: Introduction to Pitt's New Cloud Storage Tool
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Punch Up Your Presentation
  • Introduction to Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Word Fundamentals
  • Qualtrics Basics: Create Your Own Online Surveys
  • Qualtrics Next Steps: Do More with Online Surveys

LinkedIn Learning: Bite-Sized Courses with a Big Impact

All Pitt faculty and staff have access to the full range of LinkedIn Learning courses at no cost. Here are some of the newest and most popular courses on the platform.

  • Top Ten AI Prompts (1h 43m)
  • How to Master Your Executive Presence — Audio Course (24m)
  • Train Your Brain to Unwind Stress and Anxiety Habits (1h 5m)
  • Learning to Be Promotable (1h 34m)
  • Generative AI for Business Leaders (1h 17m)
  • Boosting Your Time Management with AI Tools (41m)
 
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