Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Intelligence for Graduate Students

As artificial intelligence rises in prominence, its use in academia has been a widely discussed topic. Below, you will find some commonly asked questions about artificial intelligence platforms, such as Chat GPT and Copilot's, use within Ohio University.

Why should I care about the rise of AI?

AI has emerged as a disruptive force, and its widespread adoption represents an immediate and permanent shift to the technological landscape. Those effects are already widespread and they will only increase as technology continues to advance. AI has, and will continue to directly impact, academic areas from simple in class assignments to cumulative dissertations and theses. We as mentors, and as students, have an obligation to try to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms AI can foster. Inaction could lead to a significant loss of potential benefits for individuals and for OHIO.

Is there a university wide policy?

There is currently no university wide policy regarding the use of AI generated text and images within Ohio University.

Am I able to create AI images for student work?
  • As an OHIO student, you will have access to software and services capable of using AI to generate images.  For example, Copilot can respond to prompts such as, “Create an image of what a quantum computer will look like.”
  • In most cases, it is important to properly attribute the AI tool or technology used to generate the images.  Please consult your instructor to ensure you clearly understand the expectations for any assignments.
  • The Secure Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools standard reads, “AI Tools must not be used to generate output that would be considered non-public. Examples include, but are not limited to, proprietary or unpublished research; legal analysis or advice; recruitment, personnel or disciplinary decision making; completion of academic work in a manner not allowed by the instructor; creation of non-public instructional materials; and grading.”
  • This is consistent with the Ohio University Acceptable Usage policy that reads, “Users may not engage in the unauthorized copying, distributing, altering, or translating of copyrighted materials, software, music or other media without the express permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise allowed by law.” 
How do I use AI securely?
  • One option for OHIO users is to log in using their OHIO credentials when using the web version of Copilot. This enables commercial data protection which is essential for safeguarding sensitive information in organizational settings. When commercial data protection is enabled, Copilot does not retain any data entered by the user after the chat session is over, nor does it use the organizational data to train the underlying AI model. Upon logging in with your OHIO credentials you should see a green shield in the top right corner of the screen indicating data protection has been enabled. Please see the Microsoft Copilot knowledgebase article for more information.
  • Regardless of data protections, users should not put any sensitive data into AI tools. Please review the Office of Information Technology’s AI-specific security standard, Secure Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools, for more detailed information on secure use of AI tools like Copilot. 
There's an AI tool I'd like to use for University-related work. Am I allowed to use it?

Currently there are no University policies specifically prohibiting the use of AI tools, so long as you aren't violating any laws, regulations, or ordinances and no personal, confidential, proprietary, or otherwise sensitive information is used.  However, be aware that a proliferation of AI tools has meant a proliferation of terms and conditions. Many popular tools have both a free version and a paid version, which are each subject to different terms.  You are responsible for ensuring that your use of an AI tool is consistent with its terms and conditions. 

I'd like to use Copilot for Microsoft 365. How do I get access to it?

At this time, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is not included in the licensed software provided to students.  Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a separately licensed product that costs $360 annually.  You may be able to follow your department’s purchase request process to ask that your department fund a license for you.