Know What the AI Tool Does

Most AI tools are approved for low-risk data only. Check the Regulated Data Chart (requires login) before exposing medium- or high-risk data to an AI tool. Understand how the AI tool is used in the software or application. Find this information on the application’s AI overview page (for example, Zoom AI Companion or Copilot). 

You Are Responsible for Protecting Your Data

All Cornell users are responsible for complying with university policies 4.12 (Data Stewardship and Custodianship), 5.10 (Information Security) and 4.21 (Research Data Retention). 

Most AI tools are approved for low-risk data only. Check the Regulated Data Chart before exposing medium- or high-risk data to an AI tool. 

Assess Data Risk First

Do not use an AI tool to record, share, or store recordings that involve discussion of confidential or sensitive information. For example:

• high-risk or regulated data 
  • personnel information
  • social security number
  • credit or debit card numbers
  • driver’s license number
  • visa or passport number
  • bank account number
  • personal health-related information
  • personal financial information
  • education records (FERPA)
  • personally identifiable information (PII)
  • etc.
• privileged legal matters
• any other confidential or sensitive information 
  • personnel matters
  • security matters
  • protected research information
  • birthdates
  • etc.
• Most integrated AI tools cannot be used in:
  • clinical, telemedicine, or healthcare settings (e.g., during any patient encounters)
  • peer review meetings
  • or IRB meetings

Check for Accuracy

If you share content that has gone through AI processing (for example: meeting summaries or email drafts), review the content for accuracy, or confidential or restricted information, before you share it. 

Respect Participant Preferences

In apps or situations involving multiple participants, you must inform all parties when an AI tool is in active use. Respect the wishes of participants who request disabling these tools. 

Situations Not Covered Here

Some AI tools may have specific features not covered in this general guidance. Before engaging an AI tool within an application, check for any use cases or situations unique to that tool that you may need to consider.