Commitment to Ethical and Responsible AI Use
At Loyalist College, human intelligence, creativity, and judgment are foundational to both academic excellence and effective operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to support and enhance our work, but not to replace the original thought and decision-making that define our institution. We recognize the transformative potential of AI in education, applied research, institutional operations, and professional practice. As AI technologies evolve, the college is committed to fostering an environment where AI enhances learning, supports innovation, and improves operational efficiency while upholding ethical standards, academic integrity, and sustainable use.
Scope
This position applies to all members of the Loyalist College students and employees engaged in the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) across all college activities. It does not apply to other types of artificial intelligence. Please refer to ITS 101: Acceptable Use of Information Technology for additional information.
Definitions
Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision-making, and perception.
Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy: The ability to understand, evaluate, and responsibly use AI tools, including awareness of their limitations, ethical implications, and societal impact.
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI): A type of AI capable of producing original content (text, images, audio, code) in response to prompts, based on learned patterns.
Principles
Our approach to GenAI use is guided by the following principles:
- Ethical and Responsible Use – GenAI must be applied in ways that respect individual dignity and privacy, promote fairness, and align with institutional values. Recognizing that GenAI systems can carry inherent biases, Loyalist College commits to identifying and mitigating these risks where possible. The use of GenAI must be guided by ethical judgement, with a focus on minimizing harm, promoting equity, and supporting a respectful and inclusive environment.
- Transparency & Accountability – GenAI use must be transparent and appropriate to context. In academic and institutional settings, significant or substantive contributions from GenAI, particularly those that shape content, visuals, or decision-making, must be clearly acknowledged. Routine or minor uses (e.g., spelling correction, grammar suggestions, or initial drafting of informal communications) do not require formal disclosure.
- Academic Integrity – In academic settings, GenAI should be used to support learning while upholding the central role of human intelligence, creativity, and ethical judgement. Its use is permitted in learning environments and evaluations only where explicitly allowed by faculty, and it must serve as a complement, not a replacement, for original thought and academic effort. AI-generated content should never diminish the learner’s responsibility for academic work. Where GenAI is used, it must be appropriately acknowledged and applied in a way that preserves the integrity of the learning process, supports critical thinking, and reinforces personal accountability.
- Data Privacy & Intellectual Property – Loyalist College prioritizes the protection of sensitive data and intellectual property. GenAI tools must be used in ways that rigorously safeguard personal and institutional data while respecting intellectual property rights. Employees and students must ensure that searches performed through AI tools and AI-generated content does not violate copyright laws, institutional privacy policies or established agreements. Any plans to use or build a model using Loyalist specific data requires explicit permission from the Privacy Officer.
- Capacity Building & Continuous Improvement – AI literacy is essential for students and employees. Loyalist College is committed to providing ongoing education, training, and resources to empower the college community to engage with GenAI ethically, responsibly, and safely. The college will align the ethical use of GenAI with existing quality assurance and professional development processes, ensuring that practices remain current and responsible.
GenAI in Academic Settings
Loyalist College supports the responsible integration of generative AI in learning and innovation. Students and faculty are encouraged to explore the potential of GenAI while upholding academic rigour and a commitment to inclusive learning.
GenAI should never be used to complete assignments or assessments in ways that violate academic integrity standards. Faculty will establish clear expectations regarding the use of GenAI in coursework and assessments, ensuring its use enhances, rather than replaces, critical thinking and skill development. When assigning work that involves or allows the use of GenAI, faculty must ensure that students have reliable and equitable access to the required tools. Assignments must not rely on paid or restricted-access tools unless appropriate access has been arranged.
Loyalist encourages a supportive, educational approach to the misuse of GenAI. Academic employees are expected to address inappropriate use through clear guidance, teachable moments, and the processes outlined in ACAD 206: Academic Integrity Policy. Academic employees will foster student success through the communication of clear and transparent expectations and success criteria for student use of GenAI.
Where GenAI is permitted, its use must be acknowledged in accordance with the Academic Integrity principle outlined in this statement. Faculty and students are also encouraged to continue engaging in open dialogue about the ethical implications of GenAI in education and professional practice.
GenAI in Applied Research
GenAI has the potential to support core and ancillary applied research activities. While the potential of GenAI to enhance and expand applied research capacity is acknowledged, it is important to ensure that its outputs are critically assessed for integrity, relevance, and bias and that researchers continue to strive toward applied research excellence and responsible conduct of applied research.
Researchers must not use third-party GenAI tools to process data with additional privacy and security risks (i.e. data from human research participants, confidential information provided by industry partners, etc.) without the documented permission of a Research Ethics Board or industry partner.
GenAI in Institutional Operations
Generative AI has the potential to enhance operational efficiency, support informed decision-making, and improve services across Loyalist College. Employees are encouraged to explore the responsible use of GenAI to support their work, provided that its use aligns with ethical, legal, and privacy considerations, as well as applicable institutional policies and standards.
Employees must critically assess GenAI-generated outputs before applying them in professional contexts. GenAI tools should never be used in ways that compromise accuracy, confidentiality, or the integrity of institutional decisions or communications. When using GenAI in projects, reports, or public-facing materials, employees are expected to apply good judgment and acknowledge AI’s contributions where appropriate, in keeping with the principles outlined in this statement.
Final responsibility for decisions that impact students, employees, or institutional operations, including academic, administrative, financial, or human resource matters, must always rest with college personnel. GenAI may assist in these processes but must not be used to make autonomous decisions.
Employees who misuse GenAI will be supported through professional development, reflective learning, and relevant institutional processes. Loyalist encourages a culture of inquiry and shared learning as we continue to explore how GenAI can be used to enhance, not replace, human expertise and accountability.
Ongoing Commitment
Loyalist College recognizes that generative AI is rapidly evolving, and so too must our understanding and practice. We are committed to a responsive and intentional approach that evolves alongside the technology, grounded in our values and informed by the experiences of our students and employees.
This position statement reflects our current thinking and shared priorities. As the capabilities and implications of GenAI continue to unfold, Loyalist will review and revise its approach to ensure that our use of AI remains ethical, equitable, and effective. As we move forward, we will continue to engage our community in shaping responsible and meaningful approaches to AI use.
Generative AI Acknowledgment
Generative AI tools were used in the drafting of this position statement to support clarity, coherence, and tone alignment. All content was reviewed, edited, and finalized by members of the Loyalist College team to ensure accuracy and alignment with institutional values.
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