Community guidelines for using AI at UM

There are few aspects of our lives not impacted by artificial intelligence (AI). The technology’s rapid development and adoption have dramatically shifted how we live, work, teach and learn.

Because UM is a research-intensive university with learning as its central mission, it’s appropriate to explore the opportunities AI can offer. Our community can benefit in many ways, including enhancing teaching, accessibility, elevating research capacity, optimizing business processes and providing individualized student-centered learning. There are also risks that need consideration, including security, academic integrity, inaccurate or misleading information, resource use and bias towards systematically disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

In 2024, UM established a Committee on Artificial Intelligence to study these opportunities and risks, and then to develop guiding principles for exploration. The Committee reviewed guidelines and documentation from post-secondary institutions around the world before developing the principles listed below that are specific to UM.

What is AI

AI is not a single technology, but a way of using computers and machines to simulate human learning, understanding, problem-solving, creativity and more. It includes machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision and generative AI (genAI).

In higher education, genAI is a primary focus. These tools can create—or generate—their own content such as text, code, images, and videos.

Guiding Principles

When using AI at UM, faculty, students and staff should follow these guidelines:

Intellectual Integrity
Intellectual integrity is core to UM. Faculty, students and staff are expected to uphold the highest academic standards and trust. Such standards must also be maintained in the context of the use of AI. Ultimately, intellectual integrity fosters a culture of honesty, fairness, and respect for knowledge.

Human-Centered Approach
Human relationships are essential in the context of higher education; therefore, a human-centred approach to the use of AI at UM is also critical. AI should augment human capabilities, not replace them. AI should provide opportunities to foster collaboration and innovation. Human characteristics of ethical considerations, trust and transparency are crucial for effective and responsible use of AI. Ultimately, it is humans that guide the use of AI towards meaningful and beneficial outcomes.

Responsible Behaviour
Faculty, students and staff at UM are responsible for their behaviour related to AI. This behaviour should include prioritizing ethical use, integrity and transparency in the development, refinement and use of AI. It is crucial to maintain human oversight of AI systems to optimize beneficial outcomes and prevent misuse.

AI Literacy and Training
The core mission of UM is education and, as such, UM has the responsibility to foster the development of AI literacy within its community. In this way, users, and those impacted by AI, have the necessary skills to make informed choices about the responsible use of AI and the impact of AI in their academic journey, careers and lives.

Privacy and Data Security
UM must ensure that appropriate risk assessments and operational controls are implemented so that our UM data (including that of faculty, students and staff) is not compromised, that privacy is maintained for our user community, and that intellectual property is protected.

Intellectual Property and Copyright
UM supports and defends the principles and legislation related to the protection of intellectual property of its faculty, students and staff. Use of copyrighted materials with AI systems must be done in accordance with the Copyright Act or by permission of the rights holders. UM commits to monitoring the evolving standards related to protection of intellectual property as it relates to the use of AI and informing UM faculty, students and staff about changing requirements.

Environment and Sustainability
UM seeks to be a leader in campus sustainability and demonstrates its leadership through integration of sustainability principles into its strategic plans and operations. The infrastructure that supports AI systems can be electricity and water intensive. UM will seek to preferentially select enterprise AI systems from providers that not only minimize energy requirements but also prioritize sustainability practices.

Accessibility and Fairness
UM commits to ensuring that, where AI is required for teaching and learning, there are no barriers for student access to systems resulting from disability, socio-economic disadvantage, or other factors related to systematically disadvantaged and marginalized groups. In addition, UM will continue to assess any enterprise AI systems to ensure that such AI software does not unfairly discriminate against individuals or groups.

Risk and its Mitigation
UM recognizes there are internal and external risks associated with the use of AI and seeks to eliminate or optimally reduce harms. These risks include but are not limited to exposure of personal or institution data to third parties, copyright infringement and loss of reputation resulting from processes or decisions that rely on AI. UM will continue to review enterprise AI systems within the context of data governance and UM governing documents to minimize risk to faculty, students, and staff.

Next steps

Over the next few months, an online hub for AI will be developed as a space for community members to find practical tips, resources, and training opportunities. Stay tuned to UM Today for updates.