u:ai API access
Access to the u:ai API enables users with a solid understanding of IT to integrate the features of u:ai directly into their own applications or scripts, for example for research projects. It provides a flexible interface for automated queries and the development of custom AI tools.
Use cases
Students can request and use API access as part of courses or academic theses (such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis).
Employees can use API access for the following purposes, for example:
- in teaching or to prepare for courses
- to develop services with a low query volume (for example, for AI-assisted research in internal databases within working groups)
- to experiment and work with API-based AI workflows
For employees, the API account is automatically assigned to the relevant organisational unit, but remains available to them personally.
Once an employee leaves the staff directory of the University of Vienna, the organisational unit remains the owner of the API account. Alternatively, the API account (and thus access) can be cleared prior to the employee’s departure. Employees can request clearance via the Servicedesk form General request for artificial intelligence (in German).
Account validity:
- Access to the API account is granted via an API secret (password). This is valid for 12 months. Before it expires, users must actively request a renewal via the Servicedesk form General request for artificial intelligence (in German).
- 90 days after the API secret expires, the API account will be automatically cleared, unless a renewal is requested.
Credit
Every u:ai API account has a monthly credit of 20.00 euros. These costs are covered centrally. If the monthly limit is reached, API access cannot be used until the following month.
To prevent credit from being used up too quickly by automated processes (such as infinite loops or bots), a rate limit restricts the number of requests to 100 per minute.
Note
Alternatively, Microsoft Azure is available for larger-scale projects. In Azure, billing is handled via the organisational unit’s cost centre. Further information: Differences from Microsoft Azure
Request u:ai API access
Students should use the Servicedesk form Request u:ai API access for students (in German). The responsible lecturer or the supervisor of the academic project must be specified as the Genehmigende Person (person who approves, in German) on the form.
Employees use the Servicedesk form Request u:ai API access for employees (in German).
Differences from Microsoft Azure
Depending on the size and planned duration of the project, either u:ai API access or Microsoft Azure may be better suited to your use cases:
| u:ai API access | Microsoft Azure | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability | teaching, use by small groups, prototypes | continuous operation, large numbers of users who use the system |
| Application | easily via the Servicedesk form | multi-stage process (order, approval, setting up the environment) |
| Costs | free use with a monthly credit of 20.00 euros | direct allocation via the organisational unit’s cost centre |
| Advantage | quick start | scalability |