Frequently Asked Questions

• Toggle Item

  Where can I find training and other useful materials for learning how to use AI?

  You can visit Open AI Academy for courses, live training events, and industry-specific training. Visit our Safe Use of AI page to learn how to reduce risk.

• Toggle Item

  Can I use AI tools for academic assignments or research?

  Some academic departments and CES institutions have their own set of rules. You can find general information and guiding principles here, but otherwise, contact your department advisement or specific institution for additional guidance.

• Toggle Item

  Are there limitations to AI?

  There are many limitations to AI, and AI services should never be trusted as correct without human validation. Some of the limitations of AI include biased answers and completely incorrect answers (often referred to as "hallucinations"). Users should always fact check output from AI services to determine accuracy.

• Toggle Item

  What are the ethical considerations of AI?

  There are many ethical considerations when using AI. Nonpublic Institutional Data should never be entered into a AI service. This is due to the fact that many services store user inputs for future training of the specific AI model. When AI has been used in any capacity, the generated content should be cited as AI-generated and the user should never attempt to take credit for AI-generated work. Lastly, output from AI models should always be verified. AI services are known to produce false or biased information and because of that, all output from AI services should be fact-checked before it is used in any capacity.

• Toggle Item

  Is Microsoft Copilot HIPAA and FERPA compliant?

  While there is an agreement in place for the use of Microsoft Copilot, HIPAA and FERPA-related data should not be entered into the platform. However, de-identification methods can be used to alter the data so that it is safe to use within Copilot, while still reaping the benefits of Copilot's capabilities. Training guides on de-identifying data can be found here.

• Toggle Item

  What data can I put into AI?

  Most AI ideas start with you — and that's by design. Start more safely by using CES authorized AI tools. When your solution grows, partner with your institution IT team to take it further. Learn more about using AI responsibly!

• Toggle Item

  Are my conversations with ChatGPT and Copilot private?

  When you're signed into one of the authorized CES AI tools through your institutional SSO, your conversations are covered under our institutional agreement. Meaning they are not used to train AI models. This is a key reason why using your institutional account matters. Personal accounts do not carry the same protections.

• Toggle Item

  What's the difference between using ChatGPT with a personal account and a CES ChatGPT Edu account?

  A personal account, even one created with your institutional .edu email, is not covered by the CES agreement. CES ChatGPT, accessed via SSO, is covered institutionally. Always confirm you see "CES ChatGPT EDU" next to your name in the bottom-left corner after you log in.

• Toggle Item

  Does the CES agreement prevent AI from training on my data?

  Yes, for approved tools accessed through institutional SSO. This is one of the primary benefits of using institutional accounts over personal ones.

• Toggle Item

  What's the difference between putting private data into CES approved AI tools vs a vibe coded app?

  This is an important distinction!

  Approved AI tools have institutional agreements, contractual data protections, managed access controls, and audit trails built in. When you enter data into those tools, CES has legal agreements governing how that data is handled.

  A vibe-coded app, even a well-intentioned one, has none of that infrastructure by default. The risk isn't the code itself it's the absence of the protective layer around the data. If your app needs to work with private data, that's when you should work with your institution's IT team.

• Toggle Item

  What should I do if I accidentally put unapproved private data into an AI tool?

  Contact your CES institution's IT team immediately for help!