Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to software or machines that exhibit abilities usually associated with human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and solving complex problems. The following guiding principles can serve as a compass for navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology.
Responsible AI Usage
AI technologies can be used to streamline processes, activities, and tasks. At the same time, they introduce security risks for staff members and the university itself. We must be mindful in offering data to AI platforms and do our part to protect the work of scholars and artists connected to The New School and the larger Internet community. And since results generated by AI are built upon work, data, and information produced by humans, we must understand the origins of the data. Marketing and Communication (M&C) values freedom of expression while striving to protect privacy and provide responsible work attribution. Although M&C encourages approved usage of AI, it should never replace our human-centered approach. AI tools cannot simulate human reasoning, especially concerning moral and ethical matters. We advocate for responsible AI usage through critical self-governance and accountability.
Developing & Implementing These Guidelines
The M&C Guidelines on AI usage have been researched, designed, and written for use by those who do the work of our department. This includes department members, administrators, staff, educators, and vendors responsible for creating marketing and communication materials that align with the university's brand identity. A department-wide committee created them to define responsible AI usage by Marketing and Communication at The New School.
If you plan to use AI technologies for marketing or communication purposes or require a consultation, please contact Kyle Hansen at [email protected].
Like other departments of The New School, M&C adheres to the guidelines for responsible AI usage established by the university's IT department. The guidelines are available in GURU, the university knowledge base.
Reminders as You Use AI Tools
- Ensure that people review AI outcomes. People must evaluate, fact-check, edit, and document AI-generated outcomes before using them in their professional work. Users must protect the values of our brand by employing judgment and reasoning and providing context.
- Be transparent about AI usage internally. M&C encourages the responsible use of AI tools, including transparency about how the tools are being used. Use citations when the AI tool requires them and ensure they are complete and formatted correctly.
- Respect people's privacy. Before AI technology is used to summarize and record meetings and other proceedings, consent must be obtained from all participants. Transcripts and summaries produced by AI should be evaluated and reviewed by the individual responsible for enabling the AI agent.
- Monitor outcomes for bias. Biased prompts can generate biased responses, just as biased training data sets can create a biased AI agent. AI tools sometimes generate biased results, especially when using data based on widespread assumptions and norms. All users must monitor for and eliminate bias in prompts and results.
- Adhere to university policies. AI tools should never be used in any way that would violate university standards or policies. Two policies that must be reviewed are the Acceptable Use Policy and the Standard for Information and System Classification.
Usage Scenarios
The following are appropriate and inappropriate scenarios for each content creation area.