Email message sent to Lehigh faculty and staff on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024
Dear Lehigh Faculty and Staff,
Many of you have asked for guidance on how to effectively use Generative AI tools in academic and administrative work. Although this is a quickly changing space, we are pleased to share recommendations, offer support, and highlight key policies for responsible AI use at Lehigh.
AI Tools for Getting Started
If you're beginning to explore AI tools, we suggest the following, which can be accessed through your Lehigh account for enhanced data protection:
- Gemini: Similar to ChatGPT, offering robust AI capabilities.
- DataCamp’s DataLab: Tools for AI-powered data analysis and training.
- Keenious AI: Locates academic research relevant to your text. (Use your Lehigh email to sign up, not Google.)
- Adobe Firefly AI: AI-enhanced images and visual effects (available in the LTS Digital Media Studio).
Partner with Us
If you're considering adopting or purchasing other AI tools for academic or administrative purposes, we ask you to collaborate with LTS.
- Schedule a consultation, and we can guide you in ensuring tools meet security, privacy, and compliance standards, while also helping avoid redundant purchases.
- If you already contract with a vendor who offers Generative AI-related services, complete this GenAI Software Registry. Adding your tool or service to this registry will help us understand Lehigh’s AI evolving AI ecosystem.
Policy Reminders
We want to support innovation through AI while ensuring compliance with existing policies and best practices:
- Data Protection: Generative AI tools often collect user data to train their models. Do not submit institutional data, restricted data, or critical data (e.g., Social Security numbers, student records, export controlled information). These restrictions are covered by Lehigh’s Acceptable Use of Computing Systems Policy and the Office of Institutional Data’s Classification of Data. If in doubt, consult with LTS.
- Responsible Use: Faculty are reminded to review the University Policy on Ethical Conduct in Academic Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities. Students must follow course-specific guidelines and the university’s Student Code of Conduct
- Accuracy and Bias: Always review AI-generated output for accuracy and potential biases before using it in professional work. AI tools can make mistakes, so verification is key.
Explore, Experiment, Stay Informed
We encourage you to attend LTS Seminars, view the recordings of the recent CITL Summer Workshops on AI Tools and Prompt Engineering, explore our resources for directed learning about AI, learn from the courses in DataCamp and LinkedIn Learning, and stay current with discipline-specific publications on AI trends in your field.
Visit ai.lehigh.edu for a more comprehensive list of policies, practices, guidance, and resources to guide you in your use of Generative AI products in your teaching, research, or administrative work.
If you have questions or would like to discuss an AI use case, please submit an LTS consultation request.
Sincerely,
Greg Reihman, Vice Provost for Library and Technology Services
Ilena Key, LTS, Chief Technology Officer
Eric Zematis, LTS, Chief Information Security Officer