This document provides general guidelines for the responsible use of generative AI at Mississippi State University.

AI tools and services should be viewed as posting data on a public website. Only publicly available information (data that has no legal or other requirement for confidentiality, integrity, or availability under the Freedom of Information Act) may be used in generative AI tools and services. Users should expect these AI tools and services to use input data for its training, including the derivative use of any data submitted.

If students, faculty, staff, or affiliates need to authenticate to access source information, it is an indicator that permission from the respective division VP may be needed to use this information in AI tools and services.

Questions about university data standards and security should be directed to the Chief Information Security Officer at security@msstate.edu or 662-325-3709.

Guidelines

• Follow university policies and procedures. Generative AI should be used in accordance with the existing university policies (OP 01.12) and the campus information security program. (infosecurity.msstate.edu)

• Understand if informed consent and approval of the data subjects is required.

• For any MSU proprietary or confidential information, University students, faculty, staff and affiliates:

  • Must use products or services that have undergone a comprehensive security risk review based on use case and data classification by MSU Chief Information Security Officer.

  • Must use products or services that have a university contract in place that protects university data and specifically addresses how MSU information will be used by training models and if it is accessible to any external parties

For the most up to date information, see the Information Security AI site.