By Bree Holtz & Ana Lesage
Realizing the exponential growth of awareness, interest, and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), the Ethics Institute housed in the Provost’s Office sought to make this a priority issue. We realize that we are not going to be able to manage the technological speed of innovation of GenAI. However, we can lead using ethics. We are actively working with diverse individuals from across the university to ensure a comprehensive approach to AI ethics. We are also beginning a collaboration with the very active AI student group on campus. Working with a group of university stakeholders and experts, we have developed an ethical foundation for AI use. In this framework, we prioritize human dignity, fairness, and inclusivity, ensuring that AI advancements align with MSU’s core values. This ethical framework guides decision-making and fosters a culture of continuous discovery and critical thinking. By embedding ethics at the core of our AI initiatives, we safeguard our community and harness AI’s transformative power to enhance teaching, learning, and research experiences, positioning our university to adapt to future challenges.
Facilitating University-Wide AI Collaboration
One goal of the Ethics Institute in AI is to strengthen connections and collaborations across the university, To help facilitate this, we have conducted a baseline inventory to identify how AI is currently being utilized throughout the university. Although this inventory is still incomplete, it has provided valuable insights to our IT and ORI teams regarding the types of AI platforms in use. This initial data collection is a crucial step towards understanding and managing AI implementation effectively.
Launching the MSU AI Ethics Website
In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out an AI Ethics website designed to serve as a comprehensive directory of Generative AI resources and guidance for the university community. The website will reflect the foundational philosophies our group has developed, offering guiding principles for anyone at MSU using or considering using Gen AI.
Principles for GenAI Use
These principles should be viewed as a collective set of high-level considerations rather than instructions for any specific AI application or use. The goal is to outline overarching concepts to encourage ethical and beneficial practices with AI, not to dictate rigid rules for every potential use case.
- Empowerment Through AI: GenAI should serve as an extension of human capability, not a replacement. It should augment our creativity and productivity, ensuring that human insight remains paramount in our decision-making processes.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: Our use of AI will prioritize creating outputs that are accessible to all, fostering an environment of equity and diversity. We strive to be thoughtful and critically reflective of AI biases to ensure fairness and non-discrimination in all AI-driven endeavors.
- Quality and Precision: Users are responsible for the content generated by AI, ensuring it meets our high standards for accuracy and relevance. All AI-generated outputs should undergo thorough review to maintain the integrity and excellence of our work.
- Data Privacy and Ownership: In alignment with our commitment to honoring authorship, privacy, and data governance, all information must be handled with the utmost care. Data should only be entered into an AI system with a complete understanding of its compliance with appropriate security and privacy measures, and with the express consent of stakeholders and authors in cases where intellectual property is concerned. AI tools should be subjected to a rigorous assessment of their security and privacy measures before use. For more information on data use and generative AI at MSU, please review the Interim Guidance on Data Uses and Risks of Generative AI.
- Transparency and Accountability: AI applications used in tasks should be disclosed. Our community deserves clarity on how AI influences our work, ensuring transparency and traceability in our AI practices.
- Adaptability and Continuous Learning: We commit to staying abreast of AI advancements, embracing continuous learning to refine our policies and practices in line with the latest developments and societal expectations.
Sourcing and Reliability
- Vetting AI Tools: Before adopting any AI tool, it must be vetted for its reliability, security, and alignment with MSU’s ethical values. This includes consulting with IT professionals and adhering to privacy, security policies, and environmental responsibility. More information can be found in the IT Procurement Process.
- Documentation and Review: AI tools should be documented, including their purposes, the rationale for their selection, and the outcomes they are intended to achieve. This documentation will facilitate accountability and continuous improvement.
Bree E. Holtz, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations at Michigan State University.
Anastasia Lesage is the Project Manager for the MSU Ethics Initiative.