Generative artificial intelligence (gen AI or just AI) tools are rapidly developing. Here's how to get started.
What AI tools can I use on campus?
Many, if not most, of the tools you'll use during the average day on the hilltop have integrated AI features in the last few years. Where applicable, IET has reviewed and enabled these features so that they are compliant with the university's Technology Selection Policy.
We license some specific AI tools, but this is a non-exhaustive list. Many services in use on campus have AI tools built in to them, and are also available to use if they are enabled. Certain enterprise platforms, such as Google Workspace and Zoom, may occasionally interact with sensitive or confidential data through standard workflows. St. Edward's maintains specific contracts with these providers that include protections for health information, FERPA-protected data, and other sensitive records. While the university does not recommend intentionally or directly entering sensitive data into AI features within these tools, these contractual safeguards are in place for instances when such data is encountered.
Some of those tools (like the Zoom Meeting AI Companion) have entire articles to help you use them. Search "AI" to find all of our articles about AI at St. Edward's.
How do I keep my data safe while using AI tools?
AI tools interact with vast amounts of data and information to function. All Hilltoppers should be mindful of their cybersecurity when using AI, like any other digital tool. See our stance on cybersecurity and AI.
Depending on the type of data, we have different guidelines. Generally, we categorize information three ways:
- Public / Internal Data: Information freely available to the public or standard internal communications that pose no risk if exposed. Examples include course catalogs, publicly available event schedules, published research papers, and non-confidential meeting minutes.
- Sensitive Data: Information not meant for public consumption. Access must be guarded due to proprietary, ethical, or privacy considerations. Unauthorized disclosure could cause moderate harm or violate institutional policies. This classification applies even if there is no civil statute requiring this protection. Examples include anonymized student records, evaluation letters, draft grant proposals, and self-evaluations.
- Restricted Data: Highly sensitive data protected by law. Disclosure would cause significant harm, legal action, or identity theft. Examples include Protected Health Information, student data such as SSN, date of birth, grades/GPA/transcripts; financial account information, payment card information such as payment card number, government-restricted research data, Controlled Unclassified Information, or third-party confidential or proprietary information.
The examples provided in the categories below are illustrative and intended to provide general guidance. They do not represent an exhaustive or inclusive list of all data types. When in doubt, always classify data at the higher level of restriction or consult with IET.
| AI Tool |
Acceptable Data Types |
Info Safe to Share |
Prohibited Data Types |
Info Not Safe to Share |
| Google Gemini |
Public/Internal Data
Sensitive Data (with caution)
|
Public syllabi, course overviews, published research papers, routine departmental memos and notes
Anonymized student records (grades, schedules), unpublished research data, draft grant proposals
|
Restricted Data |
Non-anonymized student schedules or grades, HIPAA protected health information, SSNs, university financial records, payment card information |
| NotebookLM |
Public/Internal Data
Sensitive Data (with caution)
|
Public syllabi, course overviews, published research papers, routine departmental memos and notes
Anonymized student records (grades, schedules), unpublished research data, draft grant proposals
|
Restricted Data |
Non-anonymized student schedules or grades, HIPAA protected health information, SSNs, university financial records, payment card information |
| Zoom AI Companion |
Public/Internal Data
|
Non-confidential meetings, workshops |
Restricted Data
|
Meetings with students, confidential meetings, patient counseling (while Zoom can still be used, AI features should not be enabled)
|
| Public AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude |
Public/Internal Data
|
Public syllabi, course overviews, published research papers, routine departmental memos and notes |
Sensitive Data
Restricted Data
|
Anonymized student records (grades, schedules), unpublished research data, draft grant proposals, confidential department information
Non-anonymized student schedules or grades, HIPAA protected health
information, SSNs, university financial records
|
Where do I learn how to use AI tools?
Students
- Join the Munday Library Canvas course! Librarians have prepared a module called Getting Started with Generative AI. The module includes information, videos, and activities to give students an introduction to generative AI, when (and when not) to use it, prompt engineering, how to evaluate output, and ethical considerations around its use.
Faculty
- Engage with the Generative AI Faculty Hub to access on-demand resources, find policies and guidelines, share model assignments, and connect with experienced faculty. Help IET guide how generative AI is used at St. Edward's! Contact IET support for access.
Staff
- Get up to speed on using AI with a curated LinkedIn Learning course. Using Chat with Gemini as an example, learn how to prompt a chatbot for relevant results across multiple requests and take care of tasks across a wide range.