Why It Matters

Bias and Misinformation

Because they are trained on vast amounts of online data, AI language models can reflect the internet’s biases and mistakes, potentially reinforcing stereotypes or spreading misinformation. AI chatbots are also highly sensitive to prompt wording, sometimes affirming or even contradicting your own biases. For balanced results, use neutral prompts or ask for both supporting and opposing views, and always verify the output before use.

Privacy

AI providers need data — including your data — to train new models. Many AI services come with terms that give providers the right to retain, share, sell, or train with your input. It’s critical to understand how and when your data is used by AI tools. Consult the Approved Tools page to learn more about the University’s data sensitivity levels and what data are approved for which tools.

Career Implications

As AI transforms industries, it is also reshaping the job market. While AI opens up new career paths in tech, data analysis, and beyond, it also disrupts traditional roles. Employers want to hire people whose skills in AI enhance their existing foundational knowledge rather than replace it. By learning to be an effective and responsible user of AI, you are building the competencies to lead you to success in the AI era.

Why Gemini?

For more than a decade, the University has trusted Google to handle email, documents, and calendars with the utmost security. Google has now extended this same protection to new AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM. Not only does our data stay private, but the apps are powered by the highly capable Gemini 2.0 Flash AI model, giving students, staff, and faculty equitable access to high-quality AI functionality at no additional cost to campus.

Long-Term Societal Impact

The advent of Gen AI brings with it far-reaching technological and societal transformation. AI can drive innovation, improve efficiencies, and accelerate solutions to some of our most important challenges. However, Gen AI also carries risks of perpetuating biases, spreading misinformation, and deepening inequalities. The University of Notre Dame is committed to engaging responsibly with AI, meeting the risks head-on with thoughtfulness and care while elevating the most impactful positive use cases to the benefit of our campus community.