Archives: Bulletins

On February 17 & 19, Information Technology Services (ITS) hosted PatriotAI End User Training at the Mason Square Campus for faculty, staff, and students curious about PatriotAI, George Mason’s suite of generative AI tools. Led by members of the Cloudforce Customer Success Team, the training provided an introduction to generative and agentic AI, explained how AI models generate responses, and taught users how to craft effective prompts using the PACE framework (Problem, Action, Context, Expectations).

Highlights of the sessions included:

• How PatriotAI supports educational tasks such as syllabus drafting, student engagement strategies, meeting planning, and program assessment through structured prompting
• AI limitations such as the potential for incorrect answers and lack of long-term memory
• The importance of privacy, noting that PatriotAI stores data securely within George Mason’s Azure environment and does not use user data for model training.

For anyone who wasn’t available to attend but interested in learning more about PatriotAI, the session slides are available:

Curious about PatriotAI but not sure where to begin? This hands-on session is designed to introduce you to this suite of AI tools and provide tips and best practices to set you up for success—no prior experience required. Whether you’re exploring PatriotAI for personal growth or professional innovation, this event will help you build confidence and clarity.

Event Details

Intro to PatriotAI (Faculty & Staff)	This session is designed for faculty/staff who are new to PatriotAI and generative AI technologies. The training provides foundational knowledge, practical tips, and hands-on practice to help participants confidently interact with PatriotAI agents.	Tuesday, February 17 Session 1: 9 – 10:30 a.m. Session 2: 1 – 2:30 p.m. Thursday, February 19 Session 1: 9 – 10:30 a.m. Session 2: 1 – 2:30 p.m.	In Person Mason Square Van Metre Hall Room 113	Register
Intro to PatriotAI (Students)	This session is designed for students who are new to PatriotAI and generative AI technologies. The training provides foundational knowledge, practical tips, and hands-on practice to help participants confidently interact with PatriotAI agents.	Tuesday, February 17 Session 1: 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session 2: 2:45 – 4:15 p.m. Thursday, February 19 Session 1: 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session 2: 2:45 – 4:15 p.m.	In Person Mason Square Van Metre Hall Room 113	Register for Feb 17 Session 1 Register for Feb 17 Session 2 Register for Feb 19 Session 1 Register for Feb 19 Session 2

Note: This event is BYOD (bring your own device)

What You’ll Learn:

• Intro to PatriotAI
  Discover what PatriotAI is, how it works, and why it’s reshaping the way we create, communicate, and solve problems at George Mason.
• Intro to Agents
  Learn about PatriotAI agents—what they are, how they function, and how they can be customized to support your goals.
• Basic Chat Dynamics
  Understand how PatriotAI conversations work, including how context, tone, and structure influence responses.
• Tips for Effective Prompting
  Get practical advice on how to write prompts that guide PatriotAI effectively and produce useful, accurate results.
• Prompting Practice
  Try it yourself! Engage in guided exercises to sharpen your prompting skills in real time.
• Understanding Limitations & Addressing Resistance
  Explore the boundaries of PatriotAI, common misconceptions, and how to navigate skepticism or pushback.
• Privacy and Data Safety
  Learn how to use PatriotAI responsibly, with a focus on protecting personal and organizational data.
• Getting Help and Support
  Discover resources, communities, and tools to continue your AI journey beyond the workshop. PatriotAI FAQs.

For event details and links to register, see the AI Toolkit.

Windows 10 Systems Removal – January 30, 2026 

Microsoft retired Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and no longer provides security updates or support. To maintain network security, all George Mason-managed Windows 10 systems must be upgraded to Windows 11, replaced, or request extended security protection by Friday, January 30, 2026.

Systems not in compliance will be removed from the university network. 

Individuals using Windows 10 systems should contact their department’s IT director for further guidance. Options include:

• Upgrade Your Computer: The Windows 11 upgrade is available in Software Center (Start Menu).
• Replace Hardware if Needed: Some systems may be unable to upgrade to Windows 11, and new hardware may be required. Departments are responsible for replacements. Learn more about purchasing options at George Mason Endpoint Information and Resources.
• Consider an Extended Warranty: Microsoft offers the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued security updates. IT directors must process these requests. ITS does not centrally coordinate or fund this.  

For more details, visit the Windows 11 Roadmap.

If you have questions or need assistance, ITS Support is available 24/7 via 703-993-8870 or its.gmu.edu/chat. 

Keeping track on the information you share—and with whom—can go a long way toward protecting your data privacy. 

Data Privacy Week, observed from Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30, encourages everyone to take a closer look at personal information they share and understand why they share it. The international initiative, led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, aims to empower individuals, businesses, and organizations to respect privacy, safeguard data, and build trust. This year’s theme is “Take Control of Your Data.” 

According to the Alliance, the goal of Data Privacy Week is twofold:  

1. Help citizens understand that they have the power to manage their data.  
2. Help organizations understand why it is important that they respect their users’ data. 

Many people are unaware of the volume of information collected and shared about them online. Data comes not only from computers and smartphones but also from other internet-connected devices like watches and cars. From this data, businesses and organizations can learn about users’ interests, purchases, online behaviors— and even their health. The information collected may be stored indefinitely and used to infer demographics and socioeconomic status. Some businesses and organizations also sell this information for profit. 

That’s why it’s important to regularly review what information you share and what you allow websites, apps, devices, services, and businesses to collect. During the week, you are encouraged to: 

• Protect Your Personal Data  
  Share only what is necessary. Before sharing personal information—such as your name, address, Social Security Number, and location—determine whether it’s truly necessary. Avoid oversharing for minor perks or conveniences. 
• Practice Strong Security Habits 
  Use long, unique passwords and a password manager. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) whenever possible and take time to review privacy settings on your devices, browsers, and apps.  
• Stay Alert for Scams Including: 
  • Requests for your password to verify your identity or confirm your account—legitimate organizations will never ask for your password. Also, never share 2FA codes. 
  • Requests from “supervisors” asking you to purchase gift cards by email or text. 
  • Job offers that require you to deposit checks and return some of the money. 
  • Student loan forgiveness offers that require upfront fees. 
  • Phishing emails requesting your login credentials via a Google document, asking you to download files, or prompting you to click on suspicious links. 
  • Pop-up “tech support” warnings—real IT support won’t contact you this way.