The five Gen AI principles

The five principles of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been developed to reflect the roles and responsibilities of UL, as an institution, staff, researchers and students. For the purposes of this document, the term staff relates to all those employed by the University, regardless of their role. These principles facilitate the implementation of Generative AI across UL while also remaining committed to UL’s existing strategies and aims.

 

The five principles are:

  1. Generative AI Literacy
  2. Integrity
  3. Innovation
  4. Equity
  5. Ethical and Secure Use

 

These are intended to be dynamic guiding principles which strive to provide a roadmap to all stakeholders within UL to navigate both current and emerging challenges and opportunities associated with Generative AI. The principles have been mapped to the UL Graduate Attributes (Agile, Articulate, Curious, Courageous, Responsible) to align with existing UL frameworks.

University:

All University staff, researchers and students will be supported to develop their Generative AI literacy.

Staff and Researchers:

Staff and researchers should seek to engage with training and guidance to enhance their Generative AI literacy, if relevant to their role. This will enhance their understanding of this technology and facilitate its integration into research, administrative, teaching, learning and assessment activities.

Students:

Students should seek to engage with training and guidance on Generative AI. Responding to and upskilling on technological innovations with curiosity and agility will help students to prepare for the future of work.

University:

The University will provide clear frameworks and guidance to support the integration of Generative AI into research, administrative, teaching, learning and assessment activities where appropriate. These frameworks will also help staff and researchers to meet the expectations of professional and statutory regulators.

Staff and Researchers:

Staff and researchers should be familiar with relevant frameworks and guidance in relation to Generative AI where relevant to their role. Applicable national, EU and international legislation should be observed. The integration of Generative AI into research, administrative, teaching, learning and assessment activities should be transparent and reflect UL guidelines and policies.

Students:

Acting with integrity is the hallmark of courageous and responsible learners. Students should be aware of and uphold the academic integrity policy of the University and any applicable national, EU and international legislation. Students should also ensure that they are aware of assessment regulations regarding the use of Generative AI when undertaking any assessment.

University:

The University will provide information and guidance to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to incorporate Generative AI into their pedagogical and andragogical practice. The University will seek to regularly share best practices as the technology and its applications evolve.

Staff and Researchers:

Innovation and change may be required to integrate Generative AI into teaching, learning and assessment. Redesign of teaching, learning or assessment should continue to reflect the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Professional staff may also benefit from integrating Generative AI into their work. Similarly, Generative AI may support researchers in finding innovative and novel processes and outcomes to their work. Staff and researchers should reflect on their current work activities and determine the appropriateness of incorporating Generative AI, observing the policies of the institution or funding bodies as well as national, EU and international legislation.

Students:

Agile and curious students will seek to integrate Generative AI as permitted within their teaching, learning and assessment context. Exploring the potential of Generative AI and engaging in responsible use will foster a sense of innovation in using the technology in the future.

University:

The University will strive to support equitable access to Generative AI technologies for all students, staff and researchers to minimise digital inequalities and to support an inclusive learning and working environment.

Staff and Researchers:

Teaching, learning, assessment, professional support and research activities should utilise and promote the use of Generative AI that is supported and has been approved by the necessary University governance processes. 

Students:

Articulate students will highlight inequities in access to and use of Generative AI by participating in discussion with academics and professional staff.

University:

The University will provide an environment that supports the ethical and secure use of Generative AI. The University will communicate regulations, policies or guidelines on the ethical and secure use of Generative AI by staff, researchers and students.

Staff and Researchers:

Staff and researchers should ensure that they are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Generative AI and the ethical challenges and potential security threats posed by this technology. In particular, caution should be exercised with private or confidential information or intellectual property rights when sharing sensitive or protected information with Generative AI tools. Staff and researchers should clearly acknowledge the use of Generative AI within their work and should uphold University, professional, statutory regulator or funding body policies, regulations and guidelines in this regard. The individual staff member or researcher remains entirely responsible for their output.

Students:

Courageous and articulate students will understand the security threats that unethical use of Generative AI poses to the learning experience. Regulations, policies and guidelines relating to the use of Generative AI during the completion of their studies should be observed.

The use of any tool within the University must be compliant with the UL Data Protection Policy, IT Security Policy, and the Acceptable Usage Policy.

All tools being used within the University must go through the appropriate approval processes. Tools with a cloud aspect must be approved through the Cloud Governance process.

GenAI has many potential benefits for researchers at all stages of their research career. In keeping with our commitment to increasing AI and digital literacy, UL will actively support staff and students to use AI positively for research purposes. However, researchers should always act in accordance with the UL Research Integrity Policy as well as guidance from any relevant funding or regulatory body.

UL is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. Any Generative AI tools must be used in an ethical and responsible manner, and in accordance with the Interim Statement on Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct. The Academic Integrity Unit has developed and signpost to a range of resources relating to Generative AI, including frameworks for the integration of Generative AI into assessment. This guidance can be found here on the Academic Integrity Unit website.

The principles outlined in this document have been developed in consultation with:
- European Commission: Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research (2024). Researchers are encouraged to review this publication and consider the guidance for your research activities.

 

Many groups have been consulted within the University including:

  • University of Limerick Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice which has representation from staff and researchers within the University.
  • University Learning, Teaching and Assessment Committee (ULTAC)
  • University Research Committee (URC)
  • Information Technology Division (ITD)

 

If you have any questions about this document, please direct your query as follows: