Middle Tennessee State University AI Policy

Acceptable uses of AI in Instructional and Assignment is defined in MTSU Policy 323 Instructional and Assignment Use of Artificial Intelligence.

Pathway 1: Enhance ($1000 Stipend) – Integrate AI tools or assignments into an existing course. This is designed for a shorter timeline and moderate syllabus updates.

• Pathway 1 – Enhance (Existing Course Integration): This pathway focuses on incorporating AI into an existing graduate course through targeted assignments, activities, or instructional approaches.

• For Pathway 1 (Enhance), the emphasis is on targeted integration within an existing course. Faculty demonstrate how AI enhances learning through specific assignments and provide a revised syllabus along with a representative activity.

Increasing efficiency in the teaching, assessment and learning process;

MTSU supports the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including Generative AI (Gen AI), in the broadest sense, to assist students, faculty, and staff in achieving their goals more successfully.

Helping students to ethically and responsibly learn and understand information;

Mission: Prepare graduate students across all disciplines with applied, ethical, and discipline-relevant AI capabilities that support career readiness and long-term professional adaptability.

It is ethical and responsible: Responsible AI use is foundational. Grad-AI foregrounds transparency, accountability, and critical evaluation of AI tools and impacts.

Integration may include the use of AI in research workflows, data analysis, writing processes, or discipline-specific applications, allowing students to engage critically and practically with AI tools within the context of the course.

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to enhance learning experiences, streamline research processes, improve administrative efficiency, and foster innovation across all aspects of education.

Users are responsible for Generative AI-produced content they use for their academic activities and in the course of their employment.

Confidential Information includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in MTSU Policy 920 Information Security, confidential student information, financial information, individual health information, legally protected intellectual property (whether belonging to MTSU, a faculty member, or other individual or entity), sensitive research data, information that is not subject to disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act, information that is prohibited from disclosure in a license agreement or other contract, and any other information that should not be shared publicly.

Generally, prompts and other information entered into a Generative AI system are stored and may be used to further train the system. Therefore, Confidential Information should not be input into any public Generative AI system.

Integration may include the use of AI in research workflows, data analysis, writing processes, or discipline-specific applications, allowing students to engage critically and practically with AI tools within the context of the course.

This policy establishes flexible guidelines to encourage responsible and effective use of AI, while upholding academic integrity, information security, data governance, privacy, and ethical standards.

Supporting ethical teaching and research; and

Artificial Intelligence including Generative AI use must be consistent with existing policies including, but not limited to:

* Policy 910 Information Technology Resources;

* Policy 121, Privacy of Information;

* Policy 922, Data Classification;

* Policy, 540 Student Conduct;

* Policy 312 Academic Misconduct;

* Policy 407 MTSU Research Security;

* Policy 232 Instructional and Assignment Use of AI

* Policy 318 Access to Education Records;

* 950 Computer Software;

* Policy 140, Intellectual Property Policy;

* Policy 201, Academic Freedom, Responsibility;

* Policy 651 Safeguarding Nonpublic Financial Information; and

* All MTSU non-discrimination policies and guidelines.

Confidential Information includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in MTSU Policy 920 Information Security, confidential student information, financial information, individual health information, legally protected intellectual property (whether belonging to MTSU, a faculty member, or other individual or entity), sensitive research data, information that is not subject to disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act, information that is prohibited from disclosure in a license agreement or other contract, and any other information that should not be shared publicly.

Across all pathways, we look for clear alignment between AI use and learning outcomes, structured opportunities for student engagement with AI tools, and transparency in how AI is incorporated into course or certificate materials.

All applications include a narrative describing how AI supports learning outcomes, how students will engage with AI, how the faculty member has prepared to teach with AI, and how ethical and responsible use is addressed.

Artificial Intelligence including Generative AI use must be consistent with existing policies including, but not limited to:

* Policy 910 Information Technology Resources;

* Policy 121, Privacy of Information;

* Policy 922, Data Classification;

* Policy, 540 Student Conduct;

* Policy 312 Academic Misconduct;

* Policy 407 MTSU Research Security;

* Policy 232 Instructional and Assignment Use of AI

* Policy 318 Access to Education Records;

* 950 Computer Software;

* Policy 140, Intellectual Property Policy;

* Policy 201, Academic Freedom, Responsibility;

* Policy 651 Safeguarding Nonpublic Financial Information; and

* All MTSU non-discrimination policies and guidelines.

Improper use of AI tools, including MTSU Contracted Generative AI may subject an employee to disciplinary action in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines.

Employees are permitted and encouraged to use AI tools, including MTSU Contracted Generative AI to increase efficiency and productivity, subject to the requirements of this policy, other policies, and relevant supervisory criteria.

Employees must complete appropriate training related to the use of AI technology as assigned by the Information Technology Department.

Faculty may apply for the Grad-AI designation through the Dynamic Application Form.

The application captures how AI is integrated into graduate instruction, including alignment with learning outcomes, student engagement, faculty preparation, and ethical and responsible use.

Faculty are expected to show that they have developed sufficient familiarity with AI tools and their instructional implications to support meaningful integration.

This preparation may include formal training, institutional workshops, discipline-specific experience, or self-directed learning.

Generally, prompts and other information entered into a Generative AI system are stored and may be used to further train the system. Therefore, Confidential Information should not be input into any public Generative AI system.

Confidential Information includes Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in MTSU Policy 920 Information Security, confidential student information, financial information, individual health information, legally protected intellectual property (whether belonging to MTSU, a faculty member, or other individual or entity), sensitive research data, information that is not subject to disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act, information that is prohibited from disclosure in a license agreement or other contract, and any other information that should not be shared publicly.

Any purchase or other procurement of an AI tool must be consistent with applicable procurement policies and approved by the Information Technology Department, which should be consulted early in the procurement process.

The Information Technology Department may restrict or prohibit using AI tools, including Generative AI, on university computer systems or with university issued credentials. This action may be made if the IT Department determines that the tools do not comply with MTSU data governance standards, pose an unacceptable risk to information security, or for other reasons deemed necessary.

MTSU supports the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including Generative AI (Gen AI), in the broadest sense, to assist students, faculty, and staff in achieving their goals more successfully.

This policy establishes flexible guidelines to encourage responsible and effective use of AI, while upholding academic integrity, information security, data governance, privacy, and ethical standards.

MTSU is committed to the responsible, efficient, and ethical use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

This policy will be reviewed every three (3) years or earlier whenever circumstances require review, by the Chief Information Security Officer, with recommendations for revision presented to the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer.

Faculty and administrator work groups drafted teaching and research policies on AI use in response to HB 1630. For information on HB 1630, click here.

Oversight of the Grad-AI initiative is provided by a Grad-AI Ad Hoc Review Committee appointed by the College of Graduate Studies.

The committee is responsible for reviewing applications, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and maintaining consistency across disciplines.