{"id":4075,"date":"2026-02-10T19:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T19:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/?page_id=4075"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:49:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:49:35","slug":"ethical","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/ethical\/","title":{"rendered":"Responsible, Ethical, and Secure Use of AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2412\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1.png\" alt=\"Teaching Online in the Age of AI\" class=\"wp-image-4345\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1.png 2412w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1-300x73.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1-1024x250.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1-768x188.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1-1536x376.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/Home-Banner-Example-6-1-2048x501.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By this point, one thing should be clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI in higher education is not going away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The question is no longer whether instructors will encounter AI.<br>The question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do we use it responsibly\u2014without putting ourselves, our students, or the university at risk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible AI use is not about restriction.<br>It\u2019s about guardrails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Guardrails allow innovation to move forward without exposing faculty or students to preventable privacy, security, or ethical concerns. The goal is confidence\u2014not caution rooted in uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-block accordion expandable-group expandable-group-lightblock\" id=\"newExpandable\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongwhy-responsibility-use-strong-strongactually-means-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongwhy-responsibility-use-strong-strongactually-means-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongwhy-responsibility-use-strong-strongactually-means-strong\"><strong>Why &#8220;Responsibility Use<\/strong>&#8221; <strong>Actually Means<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongwhy-responsibility-use-strong-strongactually-means-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongwhy-responsibility-use-strong-strongactually-means-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>When people hear \u201cAI responsibility,\u201d they often think only about academic integrity. That\u2019s only one part of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even when AI is allowed in a course, responsibility extends beyond academic integrity. It includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Privacy<br>\u2022 FERPA compliance<br>\u2022 Data security<br>\u2022 Equity and access<br>\u2022 Intellectual property<br>\u2022 Professional ethics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of these areas reflects long-standing higher education values. AI does not create these responsibilities\u2014it simply makes them more visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When instructors understand these areas, they can experiment confidently rather than cautiously.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongprivacy-and-ferpa-the-non-negotiables-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongprivacy-and-ferpa-the-non-negotiables-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongprivacy-and-ferpa-the-non-negotiables-strong\"><strong>Privacy and FERPA: The Non-Negotiables<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongprivacy-and-ferpa-the-non-negotiables-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongprivacy-and-ferpa-the-non-negotiables-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Privacy is not a gray area. It is a compliance obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Public AI tools are not secure university systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most generative AI platforms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Store user inputs<br>\u2022 Use prompts for training or quality review<br>\u2022 Operate outside university data agreements<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means anything entered into a public AI system may be processed or retained outside institutional oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For that reason, do not enter the following into public AI tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Student names<br>\u2022 Student ID numbers<br>\u2022 Grades<br>\u2022 Accommodation details<br>\u2022 Advising notes<br>\u2022 Unpublished research data<br>\u2022 Confidential institutional documents<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A simple rule of thumb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wouldn\u2019t post it publicly, don\u2019t paste it into an AI tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This protects you under FERPA and university data policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ provides institutionally supported AI tools in the future, those may carry different privacy protections. Until then, treat public AI systems as open environments.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstronga-practical-checklist-before-using-ai-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestronga-practical-checklist-before-using-ai-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestronga-practical-checklist-before-using-ai-strong\"><strong>A Practical Checklist Before Using AI<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestronga-practical-checklist-before-using-ai-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstronga-practical-checklist-before-using-ai-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Responsible use becomes easier when it\u2019s habitual. A short mental pause before pasting information into an AI tool can prevent unintended policy violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before pasting anything into an AI tool, ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Does this contain student-identifiable information?<br>\u2022 Is this confidential institutional material?<br>\u2022 Would I be comfortable if this prompt were stored externally?<br>\u2022 Am I modeling ethical behavior for students?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If there\u2019s hesitation, pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional caution is not overreaction\u2014it is good practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongsupported-vs-unsupported-tools-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongsupported-vs-unsupported-tools-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongsupported-vs-unsupported-tools-strong\"><strong>Supported vs. Unsupported Tools<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongsupported-vs-unsupported-tools-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongsupported-vs-unsupported-tools-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Many universities now distinguish between tools reviewed at the institutional level and tools used independently by faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Higher education institutions increasingly distinguish between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Institutionally supported AI tools<br>\u2022 Licensed by the university<br>\u2022 Reviewed for privacy compliance<br>\u2022 Covered by data agreements<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Public or unsupported tools<br>\u2022 Free or individually subscribed<br>\u2022 No institutional data protections<br>\u2022 No university oversight<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This distinction does not automatically prohibit the use of public tools. It simply means the responsibility for evaluating risk shifts more heavily to the individual user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using public tools is not necessarily prohibited\u2014but it requires caution and transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When in doubt, consult campus IT, legal, or academic leadership.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongtransparency-is-a-professional-practice-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongtransparency-is-a-professional-practice-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongtransparency-is-a-professional-practice-strong\"><strong>Transparency Is a Professional Practice<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongtransparency-is-a-professional-practice-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongtransparency-is-a-professional-practice-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Transparency reduces confusion and builds trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use AI to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Draft examples<br>\u2022 Brainstorm discussion prompts<br>\u2022 Generate sample questions<br>\u2022 Revise instructional text<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider telling students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<br>Some examples in this module were drafted with the assistance of an AI tool and then reviewed and revised for accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This models ethical behavior and demonstrates that AI use can be intentional, transparent, and reviewed\u2014not hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If students are allowed to use AI, require acknowledgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<br>If you used AI in developing this assignment, include a brief statement explaining how it was used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Transparency reduces suspicion and encourages professionalism.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongequity-and-access-considerations-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongequity-and-access-considerations-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongequity-and-access-considerations-strong\"><strong>Equity and Access Considerations<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongequity-and-access-considerations-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongequity-and-access-considerations-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>AI tools are not experienced equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Have equal access to paid AI tools<br>\u2022 Understand prompt engineering<br>\u2022 Feel comfortable experimenting<br>\u2022 Trust the technology<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some students may rely on AI for language clarity or accessibility support. Others may avoid it entirely out of concern about violating policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible course design includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Avoiding assignments that require AI unless access is equitable<br>\u2022 Clarifying when AI use is optional<br>\u2022 Providing alternatives when needed<br>\u2022 Recognizing AI may function as accessibility support for some students<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equity is not about banning tools.<br>It\u2019s about avoiding unintended disadvantage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongethical-use-accuracy-and-bias-still-matter-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongethical-use-accuracy-and-bias-still-matter-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongethical-use-accuracy-and-bias-still-matter-strong\"><strong>Ethical Use: Accuracy and Bias Still Matter<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongethical-use-accuracy-and-bias-still-matter-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongethical-use-accuracy-and-bias-still-matter-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>AI-generated content often sounds confident and polished. That tone can obscure its limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generative AI produces confident output.<br>Confidence does not equal accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Fabricate citations<br>\u2022 Misrepresent sources<br>\u2022 Reflect bias in training data<br>\u2022 Oversimplify complex issues<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When instructors use AI:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Verify factual claims<br>\u2022 Check references manually<br>\u2022 Review output critically<br>\u2022 Align content with disciplinary standards<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should be taught to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible AI use includes skepticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It reinforces academic habits rather than replacing them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongintellectual-property-and-ownership-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongintellectual-property-and-ownership-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongintellectual-property-and-ownership-strong\"><strong>Intellectual Property and Ownership<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongintellectual-property-and-ownership-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongintellectual-property-and-ownership-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Authorship questions continue to evolve, but core academic principles remain stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, core principles remain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Students are responsible for submitted work.<br>\u2022 AI assistance must be disclosed when allowed.<br>\u2022 Misrepresenting AI-generated work as fully independent work is an integrity violation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clarity here protects both instructors and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When expectations are clear, confusion decreases.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongfaculty-modeling-matters-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongfaculty-modeling-matters-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongfaculty-modeling-matters-strong\"><strong>Faculty Modeling Matters<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongfaculty-modeling-matters-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongfaculty-modeling-matters-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Students learn not only from what we assign\u2014but from how we behave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If faculty:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Use AI transparently<br>\u2022 Acknowledge limitations<br>\u2022 Emphasize verification<br>\u2022 Demonstrate ethical boundaries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are more likely to follow suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modeling often has more impact than policy language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional conduct is contagious.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongstart-small-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongstart-small-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongstart-small-strong\"><strong>Start Small<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongstart-small-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongstart-small-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Responsible AI use is not achieved in a single semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You do not need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Master every AI tool<br>\u2022 Rewrite every policy<br>\u2022 Redesign every course<br>\u2022 Have a fully formed institutional philosophy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible use evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Clear syllabus language<br>\u2022 One thoughtful design change<br>\u2022 One transparency statement<br>\u2022 One conversation with students<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adjust as the technology evolves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongquick-faculty-self-check-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongquick-faculty-self-check-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongquick-faculty-self-check-strong\"><strong>Quick Faculty Self-Check<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongquick-faculty-self-check-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongquick-faculty-self-check-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Before the semester begins, ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Do I understand what not to paste into AI tools?<br>\u2022 Have I clarified AI expectations in my course?<br>\u2022 Would I be comfortable explaining my AI use publicly?<br>\u2022 Am I modeling ethical, careful engagement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If yes, you\u2019re on solid ground.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstronginstitutional-awareness-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestronginstitutional-awareness-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestronginstitutional-awareness-strong\"><strong>Institutional Awareness<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestronginstitutional-awareness-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstronginstitutional-awareness-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Responsible AI use does not happen in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI conversations are also happening at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Faculty are encouraged to stay connected to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 University AI initiatives<br>\u2022 Center for Teaching &amp; Mentoring workshops<br>\u2022 Academic integrity updates<br>\u2022 IT and data privacy guidance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible use includes staying informed within your own institutional context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ensures alignment with university policy and reduces individual uncertainty.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongadditional-faculty-resources-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongadditional-faculty-resources-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongadditional-faculty-resources-strong\"><strong>Additional Faculty Resources<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongadditional-faculty-resources-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongadditional-faculty-resources-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>For broader perspectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>EDUCAUSE \u2013 Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/library.educause.edu\/topics\/teaching-and-learning\/teaching-with-artificial-intelligence?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teaching with Artificial Intelligence <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cornell University \u2013 Generative AI Guidance<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/academicinnovation.cornell.edu\/gen-ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GenAI in Teaching and Learning <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>University of Michigan \u2013 Responsible AI Use<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/genai.umich.edu\/resources\/faculty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U-M Guidance for Faculty \/ Instructors <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Harvard \u2013 Teaching with AI<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harvard.edu\/ai\/teaching-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teach with Generative AI <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingstrongfinal-thought-strong\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablestrongfinal-thought-strong\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongfinal-thought-strong\"><strong>Final Thought<\/strong><\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablestrongfinal-thought-strong\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingstrongfinal-thought-strong\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Responsible AI use is not about fear.<br>It is about professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When instructors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Protect student privacy<br>\u2022 Clarify expectations<br>\u2022 Model transparency<br>\u2022 Verify accuracy<br>\u2022 Stay aligned with institutional guidance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI becomes manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not mysterious.<br>Not threatening.<br>Not chaotic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just another tool\u2014used carefully, intentionally, and ethically.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-lightgray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-lightgray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/ai\/\">Teaching Online in the Age of AI<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/understandingai\/\">Understanding AI in the Teaching &amp; Learning Context<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/policies\/\">Setting Clear Expectations: Course &amp; Assignment-Level AI Policies <\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/integrity\/\">Academic Integrity in the Age of AI<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/assessments\/\">Designing Assessments and Activities that Discourage AI Cheating<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-mtsublue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/ethical\/\">Responsible, Ethical, and Secure Use of AI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By this point, one thing should be clear: AI in higher education is not going away. The question is no longer whether instructors will encounter AI.The question is: How do we use it responsibly\u2014without putting ourselves, our students, or the university at risk? Responsible AI use is not about restriction.It\u2019s about guardrails. Guardrails allow innovation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":165,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4075","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/165"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4075"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4860,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4075\/revisions\/4860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}