AI guidance for staff
The University has published guidance for staff about the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools such as Chat GPT.
This follows on from similar advice recently made available to students.
Generative AI has emerged as a powerful new tool for artificial intelligence (AI). It processes data by recognising patterns and generates new, original content.
Despite impressive conversational abilities, AI models can lack common-sense understanding, empathy and the ability to exercise critical and moral judgment - attributes of human intelligence. This means the information provided may sometimes be incorrect, biased, or lacking context.
The guidance recommends that staff treat all information given to AI as if it were public, avoiding the sharing of personal, confidential, or copyrighted information. It also highlights the risks of claiming AI-generated content as original work.
AI guidance for staff and students
Navigating the AI landscape
Our strategy as a University is to embrace curiosity and to pursue knowledge. As one of the first institutions to teach and research this field more than 60 years ago, we have set an ambition to be a global leader in the ethical use of AI and data with integrity. While we encourage staff to try out Generative AI tools, our guidance underscores the importance of staying informed and mindful when navigating this rapidly-changing technology. It’s also vital to be aware of potential legal issues, such as respecting intellectual property rights and ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
To stay up to date on our latest AI news, visit the Edinburgh AI site.