Explore resources to help you use AI responsibly and effectively at Cornell. Find guidance on privacy, security, ethics, academic, and research considerations, and best practices for using AI.
Additional Resources
Policies and Guidelines
As AI evolves, it is increasingly influencing how we learn, work, research, and create, while raising important questions about academic integrity, ethics, privacy, security, accessibility, intellectual property, and bias. Cornell is collaborating across disciplines to foster thoughtful exploration, support responsible innovation, and help the community navigate the opportunities and challenges associated with AI.
This section brings together Cornell's AI guidance, recommended practices, and relevant university policies to help faculty, staff, and students use AI tools effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with university values and requirements. Because AI technologies and their applications continue to evolve, community members are encouraged to review these resources regularly and apply informed judgment when using AI in teaching, learning, research, and administrative work.
Accountability
Before sharing content created or edited with AI, review it carefully. AI can perform very well on some tasks while performing poorly on others that may appear simpler, so outputs should not be assumed to be accurate or reliable without verification.
Verify key facts, check for errors or misleading information in text, images, charts, and other media, and ensure that any information entered into or generated by the AI tool is appropriate for sharing and complies with university requirements. Review AI-generated content for bias, outdated information, misrepresentation, manipulation, and potential copyright concerns.
You remain responsible for the accuracy, quality, appropriateness, compliance, and final use of any content you choose to share.
Confidentiality and Privacy
If you are using AI tools provided by the university under enterprise licenses, note that protections, approved uses, and data restrictions vary by tool. Check the data classification of the AI tool to understand which data it can process.
If you are using public AI tools or tools not approved by Cornell, do not enter Cornell information, or another person's information, that is confidential, proprietary, subject to federal or state regulations, or otherwise considered sensitive or restricted. Information shared with public AI tools may be stored, retained, or used by the provider and should be considered public. Refer to the data classification and University Policy 5.10 for details on what types of Cornell data may be used and any applicable limitations.
As noted in the University Privacy Statement, Cornell strives to honor the Privacy Principles: Notice, Choice, Accountability for Onward Transfer, Security, Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation, Access, and Recourse.
Regulated Data
As a custodian of institutional information, you are responsible for the Cornell data sent, stored, or shared on software, services, and devices — whether personally owned or university-owned — that you use.
Learn more about Classifications for Cornell's Institutional Information.
Use for Research
Compliance Guidance for AI Use in Research
Although AI is a new field, most compliance questions are covered by existing Cornell policies. In addition, Cornell has published the draft of a new policy on responsible and ethical use of AI in research.
View draft policy on the responsible and ethical use of AI in research.
AI in Academic Research: Perspectives and Cultural Norms
The report provides guidance for thoughtful use of generative AI in research, identifying opportunities as well as risks and duties in both the development and use of these tools in academic research that aspires to positive societal impact.
Read the Cornell Chronicle story about the report: Task force offers guidance to researchers on use of AI
Read the full Committee Report:
Use for Education
Artificial Intelligence for Education and Pedagogy
The Cornell administration assembled a committee to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of generative AI for education at Cornell. Its final report evaluates the feasibility, benefits, and limitations of using generative AI technologies in an educational setting and their impact on learning outcomes.
Additional resources from the Center for Teaching Innovation
Use for Administration
Administration AI Task Force Report
The Administrative AI Task Force was established with representatives from diverse administrative units, including external affairs, finance, budget, human resources, research and education administration, information technologies, audit, library, eCornell, and facilities, across central and distributed departments in Ithaca, Cornell Tech, and Weill Cornell Medicine (New York and Qatar), to evaluate AI for administrative purposes.
Use for Multimedia
AI tools may be used to create or modify design, photo, video, and audio assets only when such use does not misrepresent reality or compromise the integrity of assets. Verify key facts, check for errors or misleading information in text, images, charts, and other media, and review AI-generated content for bias, outdated information, misrepresentation, manipulation, and potential copyright concerns.
Concern Reporting
- Individuals are encouraged to report compliance and ethics concerns to their direct supervisor or HR representative where possible. Where this is not feasible or where subject-matter expertise is needed, individuals may use institutional mechanisms listed on the University Compliance website.
- The Cornell Ethics and Compliance Hotline is the primary mechanism to confidentially or anonymously report ethics, integrity, or compliance concerns to the university.
Best Practices
Whether you’re looking to refine a prompt, explore new use cases, or talk through an idea with an expert, these resources connect you with the guidance and hands‑on support you need.
AI Innovation Hub
The AI Innovation Hub is a collaborative space for the Cornell community to explore and experiment with AI. Here, faculty, staff, and students can build and test practical AI tools and applications that improve university operations and support Cornell’s mission.
AI Exploration Series via Zoom
This one-hour Zoom workshop meets every other Thursday at 2 p.m. ET and is open to Cornell students, faculty, and staff who want to learn more about AI.
Effective Prompts
Crafting an effective prompt is not the same as searching the web. IT@Cornell offers tips to improve your prompting skills.
Regulated Data Chart
The Regulated Data Chart provides guidance to help you choose appropriate technology tools for sending, storing, and sharing institutional information.
Training Opportunities
Cornell offers a growing collection of training, learning opportunities, and support resources to help you use AI effectively, responsibly, and confidently.
Join the Teams Channel
Our Microsoft Teams channel is the place to ask questions, share discoveries, get early access to new tools and resources, and collaborate with colleagues across campus who are exploring AI in their work. Join us to stay in the loop.
Student Groups
Student organizations are an important part of Cornell's AI community, offering hands-on opportunities to develop technical skills, experiment with emerging AI methods, collaborate across disciplines, and apply AI to challenges that matter.