Responsible AI Policy

Preamble

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Meridian University recognizes the need for a comprehensive policy that governs the use of AI tools within our community. This policy aims to ensure that AI is used responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with the University's values and standards.

Article 1: Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff of Meridian University. It covers the use of AI tools, including but not limited to, machine learning models, natural language processing systems, and AI-based search and administrative tools like MeridianBot and ChatGPT.

Article 2: Restrictions on AI in Academic Work

1. While Meridian University supports the use of generative AI to enhance academic research, Meridian forbids the use of AI to write student or faculty written work.
2. Meridian University’s policy on plagiarism as part of the Policy on Intellectual Integrity is inclusive of all methods of plagiarism, including use of AI tools.
3. It is the writers responsibility to validate all of their sources of information. This is especially important when using generative AI, given the nature in which generative AI gathers its content.
4. Please consult the Chicago Manual of Style of writing for questions on how to cite generative AI: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html
5. The use of any sentence written by another person without proper citation is plagiarism. Any paraphrasing without proper citation is plagiarism. Ideas directly coming from any source other than the student, not properly cited, are plagiarism.
6. AI detection tools may be used to identify suspected AI use and may be used in combination with SDC judgement as a sufficient basis for disciplinary action.

Article 3: Privacy and Personal Data

1. Protection of Personal Information: It is strictly forbidden for any member of the University community to provide AI tools with personally identifiable information (PII) of students, staff, faculty, or other individuals without consent, unless using a university-provided system like MeridianBot, which secures inputted data in the University’s Microsoft Azure environment.
2. Authorized Use of MeridianBot: MeridianBot, being a university-sanctioned AI tool, is the only platform where limited PII may be shared, strictly for purposes necessary for the use of MeridianBot, as MeridianBot is intended. MeridianBot queries are logged for quality assurance and compliance purposes.

Article 4: Legal and Ethical Use of AI

1. Compliance with Laws: All AI tools must be used in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Ethical Standards: Users of AI tools must ensure that their use is ethical, respectful, and aligns with the university's core values. This includes avoiding the use of AI for harmful, deceitful, or malicious purposes.
3. MeridianBot Use: MeridianBot is intended for use as a semantic search and summarization tool. As a GPT-based AI system, it can potentially be manipulated for other uses, and such uses are prohibited.

Article 5: Amendments and Governance

1. Policy Amendments: The Meridian University Graduate Council reserves the right to update, modify, or amend this policy as needed to adapt to new developments in AI or changes in university regulations.
2. Oversight of this Policy: For matters involving students, the Student Development Committee is authorized to oversee the implementation of this policy and to address any issues or disputes that arise. For the purposes of matters involving faculty and staff, this authority is vested with the Human Resources Team. In instances of matters which overlap constituencies, one member of the Human Resources Team and two members of the Student Development Committee will be involved in assessment and resolution.

Article 6: Additional Provisions

1. Research and Development: While this policy restricts the use of AI in academic assignments, it encourages the responsible exploration and development of AI in research settings under appropriate supervision and ethical review by the Doctoral Project Committee.
2. Transparency and Reporting: Any use of AI that potentially conflicts with this policy must be reported to the Student Development Committee or Human Resources Team, as appropriate.

Closing Statement

Meridian University is committed to fostering an environment where AI is used as a tool for enhancing learning, research, and administrative efficiency while upholding the highest standards of integrity, respect, and ethical conduct. This policy serves as a guideline to ensure that all members of the university community engage with AI technologies responsibly and thoughtfully.