Guidance on GenAI Data Uses and Risks
At a Glance
This guidance outlines best practices and considerations for the responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools in academic and administrative settings at Chemeketa Community College. GenAI technologies are evolving rapidly and hold potential for enhancing creativity, productivity, and learning. However, their use also raises concerns about data privacy, accuracy, intellectual property, and ethical risks. This guidance aims to help faculty, staff, and students understand how to leverage GenAI while mitigating associated risks.
Data Use Considerations
Data Privacy and Confidentiality
- GenAI tools often rely on third-party providers that collect and process input data to generate content. When using these tools, be aware that sensitive, confidential, or personally identifiable information (PII) should not be entered into GenAI systems unless approved by the college’s information security team.
- Avoid sharing any institutional data classified as private or restricted, including student records, personal employee information, and sensitive research data, within GenAI tools.
Ownership of Data and Intellectual Property
- Be cautious about the ownership of content generated by AI tools. Many GenAI platforms retain rights to the data input and the generated output. Faculty, staff, and students should review the terms of service and licensing agreements of any AI tools they use to understand who owns the output and what rights the institution may retain.
- Ensure compliance with the college’s intellectual property and copyright policies when using AI-generated content, particularly in instructional and creative projects.
Accuracy and Reliability of AI-Generated Data
- GenAI tools can produce incorrect or biased information, as they draw on vast amounts of unverified data. Users should critically evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy and suitability for academic or administrative purposes.
- Faculty and students should avoid relying solely on GenAI outputs for instructional materials, assessments, or research without additional verification.
Transparency and Accountability
- When using AI-generated content in academic work, transparency is essential. Faculty should disclose when AI tools are used in the creation of course materials, assignments, or other outputs.
- Students should also acknowledge the use of AI tools in their coursework, per the college’s academic integrity guidelines.
Ethical Use of GenAI Tools
- The use of GenAI should align with the college’s mission and values, ensuring that AI tools are not used in ways that perpetuate harm, discrimination, or bias. Faculty and staff should assess the ethical implications of using AI-generated content in teaching, administration, and student services.
- Consider the potential for GenAI to perpetuate existing biases, and strive to mitigate these risks when evaluating AI-generated output.
- Administrators and faculty using AI tools for decision-making processes (e.g., admissions, grading, or recruitment) must ensure that their use of AI aligns with ethical guidelines and that the output is subject to human oversight.
Data Risk Mitigation Strategies
Chemeketa Community College recommends the following strategies to mitigate data-related risks when using GenAI:
- Review and Monitor: Regularly review the terms of use, privacy policies, and security practices of any GenAI tool. Limit the use of tools that do not offer transparency or adequate safeguards for data protection.
- Minimize Data Sharing: Only share the minimum amount of data necessary to achieve the desired outcome when using GenAI tools. Avoid entering unnecessary personal, institutional, or sensitive information.
- Verification of Outputs: Cross-check AI-generated content for accuracy, especially when it pertains to critical decisions or academic research. Never assume that outputs are reliable without verification from trusted sources.
- Training and Awareness: Faculty, staff, and students should receive training on the proper and ethical use of GenAI tools, including data privacy and intellectual property concerns.
Conclusion
As Chemeketa Community College embraces the potential benefits of Generative AI, it is vital to remain aware of the associated data risks and ethical concerns. By following this guidance, users can navigate the balance between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that GenAI tools are used in ways that respect data privacy, uphold academic integrity, and foster a fair and inclusive learning environment.
For questions or further clarification, please contact our faculty team in the Center for Academic Innovation.
Use of Generative AI: This article was drafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, a generative AI tool by OpenAI, to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness. The content reflects a collaborative effort, incorporating user guidance and institutional context. All content was reviewed and edited by the author to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.