Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI)

The Laurier community uses gen AI to augment work in a responsible, ethical, transparent, and educated manner that is compliant with applicable policy and legislation. Laurier is also exploring the potential for innovative applications of gen AI in teaching, research, and administration.

Gen AI refers to a category of AI tools that generate new outputs, similar in characteristic to the data on which they have been trained, in the form of images, text, audio, and more.

Organizations, including Laurier, have been using AI for years, mainly in the form of analytical AI, in which the AI system is designed to recognize patterns and make predictions. With analytical AI, the input data are known and the predictions are replicable. Gen AI systems, however, are built on large sets of training data that Laurier has had no input in assembling nor knowledge of the content. The training data wholly influences the content that is generated, and if the data are biased, the output is likely to be biased as well. Gen AI systems may generate content that is not factual and/or that offers correct surface-level facts or analysis while struggling with extended questioning. A gen AI tool will provide multiple different answers to the same question.

Laurier’s principles of use for gen AI align with the institutional expectations of use for all types of software, with the understanding that gen AI has characteristics that require enhanced caution and care.

Principles of Use

Responsible

Take responsibility, within all reasonable efforts, for the accuracy of the inputs and generated content and any decisions that the content informs.

Ethical

Ensure that the generated content and decisions that it informs complies with human rights and accessibility obligations and does not include or amplify biases.

Transparent

Laurier will be transparent with faculty and staff about the institutionally approved tools in which gen AI is embedded and the extent to which faculty and staff can control the use of gen AI in their daily work.

Educated

Understand the strengths and limitations of gen AI and know how to responsibly and effectively use the tools.

Compliance with Applicable Policy and Legislation

Data Privacy and Security: Know which types of data can be used with a specific software tool.

• If a gen AI tool has not undergone a privacy and security impact assessment from the university, only Type 1 data can be submitted and faculty and staff cannot use their Laurier credentials (Laurier email address and Laurier password) if sign-in is required. You can create an account using your Laurier email address but you must use a different password than you use for your Laurier account. 
• Software that uses gen AI that is PSIA-approved by the university will be approved for Type 1, Type 2, and/or Type 3 data.

Intellectual Property: Take all reasonable steps to ensure that the submitted input and generated content does not violate third-party intellectual property rights.

• Generated content may draw from third-party sources, including protected intellectual property.
• Gen AI tools do not include citations or references, and generated content may directly plagiarize from third-party sources.

Before using gen AI tools in your work, we encourage you to connect with your manager, supervisor, chair, coordinator, or dean. For any questions regarding the use of gen AI in your work, contact GenAI@wlu.ca.

Sustainability Considerations for the Responsible Use of Gen AI

Gen AI is becoming part of how we teach, learn, conduct research and support university operations at Laurier. From developing ideas to summarizing information, it is another tool that can support our work when used for the right purpose.

Like any technology, gen AI relies on physical infrastructure. Behind every response are data centres, computer hardware and global supply chains that require electricity, water and natural resources to operate. As the use of gen AI continues to grow, so too do considerations such as energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions, resource extraction and electronic waste.

Laurier's Sustainability Office encourages the use of gen AI through a sustainability lens. The goal is to use gen AI intentionally where it supports learning, research and operations.

Practising Digital Sobriety

Digital sobriety encourages a more intentional approach to technology use. This concept refers to using technology intentionally and choosing the right tool for the task.

The following questions may help guide your use of gen AI:

• Is gen AI the most appropiate tool for this task?
• Could a web search or my own expertise achieve the same result?
• Can I write a clear prompt to reduce unnecessary revisions?
• Are gen AI summaries or automated features adding value or can they be turned off?
• Am I using gen AI to support or replace my learning and critical thinking?

By using GenAI with intention, the Laurier community can continue to embrace innovation while supporting the university's commitment to sustainability. Like other sustainability decisions, thoughtful choices often begin by considering both the benefits and the broader impacts of the tools we use every day.

References

• Government of Canada. (2025). Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2023). Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) (NIST AI 100-1).
• Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. (2026). Artificial intelligence in the Ontario Public Service: Value-for-money audit.
• The Sustainable Agency. (2024). The environmental impact of generative AI.
• University of Saskatchewan. (2025). Generative AI and sustainability.
• Western University. (2025). Generative AI and sustainability.