Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is making significant contributions across various sectors, and education is no exception. This study explores the potential of GenAI in the educational domain, offering opportunities to integrate AI tools into university settings. Specifically, it analyzes the opportunities, challenges, and best practices for integrating GenAI into the classroom, based on the experience of a series of courses conducted for university professors. The primary objective is to examine how generative AI can enhance teaching and learning while promoting ethical and responsible use. Grounded in the growing importance of AI in education, this study investigates how large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, and others can improve teachers’ professional skills and teaching and learning experiences. Through a literature review and experimentation with university professors, the research examines the effectiveness of AI-generated resources, as well as the impact of prompts and assistance provided by these tools in educational settings. Additionally, the study evaluated discussion forum outcomes and collected university professors’ experiences through observations, interviews, surveys, collaborative activities, and practical exercises conducted in the courses. Collaboration among university educators is crucial for advancing the understanding and effective use of GenAI for the benefit of education. The results highlight several opportunities to leverage LLMs for creating educational resources, assisting in lesson planning, supporting teaching activities, and enhancing teacher productivity. However, challenges are also identified regarding the ethical and responsible use of AI and the need to establish appropriate strategies to detect AI-generated text. Finally, this study provides a summary guide on how to responsibly integrate GenAI into the classroom, addressing aspects such as teacher training, fostering critical thinking in students, and establishing institutional policies. Best practices are proposed for effectively integrating AI tools, including the development of prompts for various activities and strategies to guide the ethical use of AI. These practices aim to maximize the benefits of AI while mitigating risks and promoting ethical, balanced, and responsible use in education.