As the Chief Information Officer for Information Technology, I want to address the growing use of generative AI tools within our academic and administrative domains. While these tools offer immense potential, we must also be mindful of the associated challenges in ensuring safe, ethical, and cost-effective usage.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

Generative AI tools, including language models like ChatGPT, are powerful but must be used responsibly. Our community must adhere to guidelines that respect academic integrity and ethical conduct. All CC students abide by the Honor Code which requires that they receive no unauthorized help on assignments and assessments. Students should only make use of generative AI in ways that are allowed by the faculty teaching the course. The Honor Council has shared sample syllabi statements that help clearly communicate the course expectations.  

Privacy and Data Security

When using generative AI tools, it is vital to safeguard sensitive data. Please refrain from sharing confidential information, personal data, or any proprietary college information when interacting with AI systems. We are committed to maintaining the privacy of our campus stakeholders.

Educational Enhancement

Generative AI has a broad impact on the teaching and learning experience. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to explore how these tools can impact learning and research. Tutt Library has created an online LibGuide resource to support learning more about generative AI. We are actively working to design and develop training and support for its use in the academic context.

Cost Management

While generative AI can be beneficial, it’s essential to manage associated costs. We will continuously evaluate the financial implications of AI integration, ensuring it aligns with the college’s strategic priorities.

Community Input

Your input matters. We encourage faculty, staff, and students to actively engage in discussions and provide feedback about AI tool integration on campus. To facilitate this discourse, we are providing AI panels to discuss these and other topics surrounding the usage of AI at CC. Please visit the AI page on the Crown Center for Teaching website for a full list of such opportunities.

In conclusion, the potential benefits of generative AI tools for our college are significant, but we must approach their usage with responsibility, respect for privacy, ethical considerations, and a focus on cost-effectiveness. That said, CC is uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to the nation’s new prioritization of protecting society from the challenges in AI. The core principles of our institution, grounded in ethics, morality, and humanism, provide us with a strong foundation to navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence. Our commitment to fostering thoughtful and critical thinking enables us to educate our students to be not only technologically literate but also deeply aware of the moral and ethical implications of AI. By engaging in discussions and research that scrutinize the societal impact of AI technologies, CC can serve as a hub for dialogue, innovation, and solutions, helping to shape AI policies and practices that prioritize human welfare, ethical considerations, and social well-being. This approach aligns perfectly with the nation’s goals of harnessing AI’s potential while safeguarding the values that define our society

Sincerely,

Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Information Technology Services