What is Generative AI
Although artificial intelligence (AI) has been around in various forms for many years, recent advancements in generative AI capabilities offer significant potential for impactful real-world applications. With unprecedented computing power at our disposal, these technologies are set to transform our approaches to teaching, learning, research, and business operations. This capability opens up a plethora of applications across various industries, from creative arts to scientific research, and signifies a monumental shift in how machines interact with and contribute to the world.
Generative AI encompasses algorithms capable of creating various types of content, including text, images, audio, and video. It works by learning patterns and structures from input data and using that knowledge to generate new, similar content. In simpler terms, generative AI can produce new material based on what it has learned from existing data, serving as a powerful tool for creativity and innovation.
Note: As the field of generative AI continues to evolve, this site will be regularly updated.
Guidance on the Use of Generative AI at Princeton
Do:
- Accountability and Responsibility: Ensure that AI systems are used responsibly by identifying the benefits, risks, and limitations associated with each use case. Please consult the University’s regulations in Rights, Rules, Responsibilities on appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI for academic work.
- Data Privacy: Protect sensitive information and adhere to relevant data protection regulations, and university policies, including data classification guidelines when crafting input prompts or giving Gen AI tools the access to documents, texts or images to an AI system.
- Accuracy and Quality: Maintain oversight and always review and validate AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.
- Biased data: Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of the AI system for biases or unintended consequences.
- Transparency: Clearly communicate to the end users and stakeholders the use of AI to foster an environment of trust and accountability.
- Copyright and IP: Ensure AI-generated content doesn’t infringe on relevant copyright laws and respects intellectual property rights. This includes protected text, images, music, and other forms of media.
- Ethical considerations: Understand ethical implications of AI usage and use Gen AI applications in alignment with core values such as respect, fairness and explainability.
Don’t:
- Data protection: Don't use non-public Princeton data in public Gen AI tools.
- Over-reliance on AI: Don’t rely on AI results without cross verification, particularly in complex or sensitive situations.
- Use system without understanding: Using the system without understanding how it makes decisions can lead to misuse or unintended consequences. If the AI system provides explanations for its decisions or suggestions, don’t ignore them.
- Overpromise and Underdeliver: Don’t set unrealistic expectations about what AI can achieve.
Generative AI Tools Policy
Only University-licensed generative AI tools should be used with University administrative and operational information that is not publicly available. The use of publicly available generative AI tools in conjunction with such information is not permitted by the University. See the Generative AI Tools Use Policy for more information.