AI: Tips & Tools from Your Librarians: Guidance & Policies

• Considering Generative AI and ChatGPT at Virginia Tech: from TLOS, offers resources and recommendations for faculty, staff and students, includes guidance for courses and Honor code considerations

• Using Generative AI During Research Activities: guidance from ORI discussing ethics and responsibilities for researchers, also has a comprehensive list of resources and relevant Virginia Tech policies

• Generative AI Graduate School Statement: from the Dean of the Graduate School and TLSO, offers advice and tips for faculty who teach/supervise graduate students with Honor Code considerations

• PDN AI Sessions: for faculty and graduate students, offered by TLOS, covers many applications of of AI in the classroom and beyond, be sure to check TLOS for more updates too (tlos.vt.edu)

• ARC AI as a Service: Advanced Research Computing (ARC) offers users an option to deploy their own LLM (Large Language Model) within the ARC infrastructure

• Generative AI Learning Community: for faculty - sign up for occasional emails including conversations about AI at Virginia Tech, upcoming events and more

From February 2025's Campus Notice:

"As generative AI tools gain a greater presence in higher education, it is important to consider the potential security risks of using these tools, as well as their potential benefits, and to follow best practices to protect university data, your privacy, and the privacy of others.  

We ask that all members of our community not share any personal, sensitive or high-risk data in publicly available AI platforms (e.g. ChatGPT.com, DeepSeek.com). When such data is shared with open and publicly available AI tools, it can expose individuals and organizations to security, privacy, copyright, and intellectual property risks.  

Virginia Tech’s policies and security guidelines emphasize that sharing high-risk data outside secure, university-approved platforms is prohibited unless there is a legitimate, approved purpose with adequate safeguards in place. To mitigate these risks, please ensure that any sensitive data is only shared within the appropriate, secure platforms or under guidelines set by Virginia Tech."