November 2, 2026
University Policy 1.8, Responsible and Ethical Use of AI in Research and Scholarship has been published by the University Policy Office. The intention of the policy is to “give Cornell researchers and scholars appropriate principles for the use of AI in research and to identify the responsibilities of researchers and scholars in ensuring research involving AI is conducted responsibly, ethically, and with scientific rigor and integrity.”
Section 3.2 includes guidance on responsible use of data and information when using generative AI:
- use institution-approved tools when available
- avoid uploading private, export-controlled, sensitive, or proprietary data to general AI platforms
- verify the data-sharing practices of the tool(s) before using
- share high or moderate-risk institutional data only with tools that have undergone appropriate internal review
- follow Cornell’s Privacy Principles, and in particular
- limit use of personal or confidential data to the minimum necessary
- take reasonable and appropriate security measures to guard against breach or misuse