Generative AI is transforming how we work, teach, and learn. At Algonquin College, we embrace this technology while ensuring it is used in ways that are legal, ethical, accurate, and respectful of privacy.
This page outlines the shared principles that apply to everyone in our community — employees, faculty, and learners— and directs you to the specific guidelines for your role.
The following eight practices apply to all members of the Algonquin College community, regardless of their role.
Never enter personal information (PI), personal health information (PHI), payment card information (PCI), or any Confidential or Restricted College data into AI tools. Apply a privacy-first mindset before every prompt.
AI-generated content can be inaccurate, outdated, or entirely fabricated — a phenomenon known as “hallucination.” You are responsible for any content you publish, submit, or act upon, whether or not AI helped create it. Always review and fact-check AI output before using it.
When AI meaningfully contributes to your work, say so. Cite AI-generated content according to the appropriate format for your context. Transparency about AI use is both a professional and academic responsibility.
AI tools can reflect and amplify biases in their training data — including those related to race, gender, disability, and culture. Before using AI-generated content, assess it critically for bias and ensure it meets the College’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination.
Understanding what AI tools can and cannot do is essential to building competency around their use. Actively develop your understanding of how these tools work, what their limitations are, and how to use them critically. AI literacy is an ongoing practice, not a one-time lesson.
Algonquin College has approved specific AI tools that include data protection agreements, ensuring your inputs are not used to train third-party models. Microsoft Copilot is the primary College-approved tool for employees and faculty. When using publicly available tools with a personal account, review the tool’s privacy terms and do not enter College credentials, and never enter the types of information listed at point 1 above.
AI is a tool to support and enhance your capabilities; it will not replace your judgment or responsibility. Whether you are producing a business document, a lesson plan, or an academic submission, you remain fully accountable for any content produced with AI assistance.
All use of AI at Algonquin College is governed by existing Corporate Policies, including:
AI use does not create exceptions to these obligations.
Before using an AI tool, check whether the information you intend to share is appropriate for that tool. Use this table as your guide.
Legend: Personal Information (PI), Personal Health Information (PHI), Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data
| Information Type | College Approved Copilot Tools | ChatGPT / Public Tools (Personal Account) | Notes | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Information | ✓ Permitted | ✓ Permitted | Publicly available College or external information |
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| Internal / Non-Sensitive | ✓ Permitted | ⚠ Use caution | College-approved tools preferred; do not use public tools with internal data |
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| Personal Information (PI), Personal Health Information (PHI) and Payment Card industry (PCI) data | ✗ Not permitted | ✗ Not permitted | Never enter into any AI tool, regardless of approval status |
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| Confidential / Restricted | ✗ Not permitted | ✗ Not permitted | Never enter into any AI tool; consult ITS for specific use cases |
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Full list of College Approved AI tools
Beyond these shared principles, Algonquin College has developed specific guidelines for each audience. Find the guidance that applies to you.
| Audience | Resource | Maintained By | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees | Generative AI Guidelines for Institutional Use (PDF) | Information Technology Services (ITS) | Business use, data handling, approved tools, procurement |
| Faculty | Guidelines for Teaching with Generative AI (LTS) | Learning & Teaching Services (LTS) | Course design, assessments, attribution, academic integrity |
| Students | Student Guidelines and Resources | Student Support Library Services | AI literacy, citation, permitted use, AA48 policy |
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"The true power of AI lies not in replacing humans, but in working alongside us to achieve what neither can do alone." — Sebastian Thrun