Generative artificial intelligence (AI) uses algorithms that can create text, images, videos, audio, and 3D models based on prompts. Some well-known generative AI systems are ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

This kind of AI can have both good and bad effects.

It is important for faculty and staff to be aware that any university sensitive data must not be shared with any of the consumer versions of these GenAI services that have not been reviewed and approved for use.  In addition to the potential for disclosure, it’s also possible it might allow prompts and attached files to be processed in other countries, where compliance with U.S. law covering regulated data (e.g., academic records covered by FERPA or health records covered by HIPAA) may not be enforced.

To provide the benefits of generative AI while complying with university policy and data protection requirements, our usage of approved services is governed by agreements that protect intellectual property, maintain privacy, and comply with our legal obligations to safeguard personal data entrusted to the university.

Requests for New Services

Drexel IT, in consultation with other teams including the Office of the Provost, the Office of Compliance, Policy, and Privacy Services, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Research and Innovation, are in the process of reviewing additional GenAI-based services as we work towards creating a safe pathway towards broader acceptance of these services in classrooms and research labs.  If you are interested in using a different service or require access to a service’s application programming interface (API) to build new GenAI-based services such as chatbots, Drexel employees should contact Information Security for a risk assessment review.  More information on this process can be found at https://drexel.edu/it/security/services-processes/risk-management/.

Additional guidance on the use of generative articial intelligence

• https://www.nist.gov/trustworthy-and-responsible-ai
• https://thepublicvoice.org/ai-universal-guidelines/
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/
• https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/Press-Releases-Statements/Press-Release-View/Article/3741371/nsa-publishes-guidance-for-strengthening-ai-system-security/
• https://iapp.org/resources/article/ethical-guidelines-on-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-and-data-in-teaching-and-learning-for-educators/