AI tools are becoming part of everyday work, from drafting and summarizing content to brainstorming ideas and working with documents and data. As their use grows, it’s important to understand how to use them responsibly and where to turn for the tools and guidance available at WashU.
Start with the tools WashU provides. WashU offers several enterprise AI tools at no cost to staff, with options for a range of needs. General-purpose assistants like Gemini and Copilot Chat can support a wide variety of tasks; grounded tools like Gemini Notebook and Secure Ask WashU can work from specific sources; and built-in tools like Box AI and Zoom AI Companion bring AI capabilities into applications you already use. Before purchasing another AI service or turning to a personal account, visit ai.washu.edu/tools to see what’s already available.
Keep WashU work in enterprise AI environments. Access enterprise AI tools with your WashU email rather than a personal account. This helps ensure WashU content remains within an environment with the appropriate protections.
Check the recommendation status of other AI tools. The AI Tools @ WashU page provides a comprehensive list of AI tools and their recommendation status, as reviewed by the Office of Information Security, including guidance on their use with protected data.
Review and verify AI-generated content. A polished response isn’t necessarily an accurate one. AI-generated content can contain errors, omit important context or present incorrect information confidently. Apply your own judgment and verify important information before using or sharing it.
Be mindful of copyrighted and licensed content. Copyrighted and library-licensed materials may have terms that affect whether and how they can be shared with an AI tool. This can include journal articles, e-books, datasets and other protected content. Using AI with Copyright-Protected Data at WashU provides guidance on evaluating those terms and using protected materials responsibly.
Stay alert to AI-enabled threats. AI has made it easier for malicious actors to create sophisticated and convincing scams at a greater scale. Continue to follow security best practices and report suspicious messages using the Phish Alert Button in Outlook or by emailing phishing@wustl.edu.
Using AI responsibly means choosing the right tool, protecting WashU information and reviewing the results before putting them to use.