Generative AI

MSU has established Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) Tools. These cover MSU’s expectations regarding the responsible and ethical use of GenAI tools in various contexts, including artistic and administrative use cases. 

Per MSU’s GenAI Guidelines, “Members of the MSU community should be transparent when generative AI contributes substantively to the creation of published public-facing materials . . . .”

Any written content that is not significantly edited should include attribution of the GenAI tool. Images that are generated using GenAI tools should indicate that the image was generated using AI technology. Using AI technology to copyedit text or to enhance an image differs from using it to create something from scratch or create a depiction of something that isn’t real. 

Creating successful prompts in chat interfaces with AI tools is a learned skill. Better prompts yield better responses. There are tricks and nuances involved in how you instruct the tool using your input to supply a quality output. Many online articles provide tips on how to craft good prompts. You can also ask the tool for tips on how to improve your prompts or combine tools to craft quality prompts.  

For example, ask ChatGPT how to improve your prompts for image creation. Ask Copilot to tell you what it needs to know to create a quality output. Suggest the tool take on a persona, such as a prospective college student, in its response.  

Practice and learn through experience. Over time you may develop a standard set of prompt language to “train” the tool to answer in the way you would like. 

Read the terms of service for any tools you’re using to determine whether your output is protected. By default, treat any AI-generated content as not eligible for copyright. There is still debate as to who can “own” the copyright on AI content, due in part to uncertainty about whether the data used to train the LLMs included copyrighted material and whether a computer can be considered an “author” under the Copyright Act. 

AI meeting assistants often take notes and summarize meetings. This can be very helpful. However, they do not always get things correct. Additionally, any documentation these tools generate is subject to Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, requests.  

Only use AI tools approved by MSU IT. Do not use AI tools that generate meeting notes and summaries in meetings that cover confidential, sensitive or regulated topics. For meetings when the tool is used, do not disseminate notes or summaries without first reviewing. If the tool automatically shares notes or summaries with attendees, review these and provide clarifications or corrections as soon as possible via email to all recipients. 

If using an AI tool in a meeting, start the meeting by notifying attendees that you’d like to use the tool. Explain what the tool does and request consent from all attendees to use the tool. Do not rely on chatbot notifications to attendees as a form of consent. If anyone objects, do not use the AI tool in the meeting. Ensure these same practices are used in meetings with external parties, such as marketing agencies.  

Use an AI tool as a first pass at editing and then review any recommendations in the context of MSU’s brand voice and style requirements. AI tools for editing, such as Grammarly or the grammar check built into word processing tools, default to their own editorial standards. These guidelines do not always match the MSU Editorial Style Guide. For example, many use the Oxford comma, which is not used for MSU nonacademic content.

For more information on the editorial style guide, see the University Communications and Marketing website. 

AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can help with initial drafts of written content. Any material written or drafted using an AI tool must be reviewed for factual accuracy. For stories involving research work, ask the involved researcher(s) to review the final draft to ensure accuracy. For AI-generated bios and profiles, the subject of the bio should review the content. Adhere to the MSU Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) Tools for official guidelines on acceptable use of GenAI tools for creative and administrative work and only use approved tools. 

Public attitudes toward AI vary and are not always favorable. There have been instances of negative public reaction to its use in some circumstances, such as using AI to generate condolence messaging after crisis situations. Additionally, some studies show the reliance on AI for messaging leads to a decrease in trust in the messaging. Consider your audience and context before using AI for messages. 

AI tools can create some amazing imagery that can accompany stories and designs, but the images are not perfect. You can expect to need multiple rounds of edits to fine-tune your image using prompts, and possibly further editing using other traditional tools, such as Photoshop.  

Scrupulous review of assets created with the support of AI, including collages of existing assets, is required at each round of prompt editing. A prompt to adjust one area of an image may result in unintended changes in other areas. The result of each round of prompting should be fully reviewed as if it were a new image.  

Provide high-quality prompts that may include various forms of visual material. Do not publish without review and adjustment to fix the kinds of imperfections often found in AI images. Care should be taken to use only professional versions of AI tools, so that the terms of service allow for MSU to use the image in publications. 

We want to maintain the trust of our audience, so we need to be judicious with how AI-generated images are presented. Any image created using AI should not be used as illustration or art within a context that implies the image represents reality. AI images should not be positioned to represent a real location, person, etc. If an image is used for illustrative purposes within a context that could cause confusion (e.g., with a news article or informational content), labeling must be included. Avoid using AI to generate images of individuals without their expressed consent. 

AI-assisted transcription and caption tools can drastically speed up the process of captioning videos. However, these tools are not perfect. The transcript and caption files should be reviewed for accuracy before adding to the video file. 

University marks under trademark must be protected. GenAI is not always accurate in creating these marks and may not be used when working with the MSU helmet, wordmark, university seal, block S or other university marks.

While certain alterations of the approved Sparty mascot illustration have been permitted to represent our various athletics teams and for use on licensed products, development of these altered marks is carefully overseen by University Trademarks and Licensing, which must approve their development. Sparty, the mascot (and images thereof), is a trademark of the university and may not be altered in any way without permission. Sparty is one of the most recognizable collegiate symbols in the world, and while generative AI may make it easy to place him in various settings with custom apparel augmentations or other props, this is not permitted.