AI and the NAU Acceptable Use Policy

While the tools we use are changing, our commitment to institutional integrity remains the same. Use of Artificial Intelligence at Northern Arizona University is governed by our Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources Policy. Rather than creating a separate set of rules, we have integrated AI guidance into our existing standards to ensure a consistent, secure environment for all Lumberjacks.

When engaging with AI, please keep these core principles in mind:

• You Are the Human-in-the-Loop: Every output generated by an AI tool is your professional responsibility. You remain the final decision-maker for the accuracy, tone, and ethical impact of any work produced with AI assistance.

• Accountability and Security: To ensure your data is protected under our Enterprise Data Protection agreements, you must use your NAU credentials for all university-related AI tasks. Inputting sensitive university data into unapproved or personal AI accounts is a violation of our security standards. To understand what data levels are permitted within each approved AI tool, review NAU’s service catalog.

• Intellectual Property and Privacy: Treat AI as a collaborator, not a replacement. Always respect data security policy, student privacy (FERPA), health data (HIPAA), and the intellectual property of your colleagues when using these tools.

• Purposeful and Sustainable Use: In alignment with our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, we encourage “Lean AI” practices. Only use the most efficient tool for the task to minimize the environmental footprint of your digital work.