Data Privacy

UO Information Services reminds all faculty, staff, and students that:   

• Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection is currently your most secure option for generative AI. When you're logged into Copilot with your UO account, the data you enter will be encrypted and won't be used to train any external large language models. Learn more at Getting Started with Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection in the UO Service Portal. 
• In contrast, the UO currently doesn't have enterprise contracts that cover ChatGPT, DALL-E, or most other AI tools. We therefore recommend that users exercise caution when interacting with these systems to avoid unintended release of intellectual property, copyrighted materials, trade secrets, or personally identifiable information such as addresses or other contact information. 

We strongly recommend that instructors who ask or encourage students to use any AI system take the following steps:  

• Encourage students to use Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection. 
• Remind students that even in the protected version of Copilot, they should avoid providing any personal or other sensitive data to AI prompts, such as credentials, biometrics, or financial, health, or FERPA-protected education records such as credentials, biometrics, financial data, health records, or FERPA-protected education records (such as grades, transcripts, and class lists). 

We also advise that instructors consider making AI use voluntary or, if AI use is part of a required course assignment or activity, include an opt-out alternative for students who do not want to create an account with an AI system or interact with them.