Generative AI in Higher Education Foundations: A Framework for Responsible Innovation-Iowa State Guidelines for the use of AI Technologies

Iowa State Guidelines for the use of AI Technologies

Pdf Summary

The Iowa State University Foundation has established guidelines for the responsible use of AI technologies within the workplace. These guidelines were approved in March 2023, and are subject to periodic review and revision, with the next review scheduled for September 2024. <br /><br />The policy aims to ensure that AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT are used effectively and ethically. AI technologies can enhance productivity but should not replace human oversight. The guidelines emphasize the importance of critically assessing AI outputs to ensure they are suitable for decision-making and resource augmentation.<br /><br />Scope: The guidelines apply to all foundation employees using AI technologies such as language processing and machine learning tools in their work.<br /><br />Key Usage Guidelines include:<br /><br />1. **External Communications:** AI-generated content intended for external audiences must be carefully reviewed to ensure clarity and appropriateness. Unreviewed raw AI content is discouraged from being shared externally.<br /><br />2. **Responsible Use:** Employees should apply critical thinking, verify sources, and ensure accuracy to avoid outdated, misleading, or fabricated information.<br /><br />3. **Protecting Confidentiality:** Personal identifiable information (PII) and proprietary content must be kept secure.<br /><br />4. **Transparency:** The role of AI in content creation should be disclosed, and products should not misrepresent AI ownership.<br /><br />5. **Ethical Considerations:** Be aware of biases and avoid discriminatory or inappropriate AI usage.<br /><br />6. **Legal and Regulatory Compliance:** Employees should comply with AI and privacy regulations that might restrict certain AI uses or data collection.<br /><br />7. **Data Security:** Awareness of potential security threats from AI tools is essential, as they may be vulnerable to misuse by malicious actors.<br /><br />Furthermore, any AI technologies or vendors being considered for workplace use must undergo approval through the Vendor Risk Management process to ensure they meet the necessary security and ethical standards.

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