Our principles for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education

As AI technology evolves at speed, we’re committed to using it responsibly and transparently. Our AI principles will drive innovation in research and education while ensuring ethical, inclusive and responsible AI use.

Students in a lecture hall using their laptops and discussing notes

Our seven AI principles

The University of Sussex has played a foundational role in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – from being home to the ‘godfather of AI’ and Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton during his post-doctoral research, to establishing Centres of Excellence such as the AI Research Group and Sussex Digital Humanities Lab. 

Drawing from our rich history and expertise, and through engagement with our community, we’ve developed these seven principles to:

1. Build on Sussex’s world leading research in AI by investing in ongoing, interdisciplinary research on AI in education

We will collaborate across and beyond the sector sharing resources, skills, knowledge and expertise to shape AI futures in education, while upholding the Sussex values, and academic freedom.

2. Develop strong digital capability and critical AI literacies for our students and staff

We will increase institutional capacity and provide equitable opportunities and support, including access to relevant tools and training. Students and staff will have opportunities to identify where and how AI can be used to enhance teaching and learning and to critically evaluate the processes and products of AI.

3. Deepen ethical standards

We will always consider ethical, legal and environmental implications. Where appropriate, we will seek to use, develop and share open-source technologies and will include global and diverse perspectives in how AI is developed, taught and critiqued. We will maintain our approach to social responsibility by enhancing community knowledge about these elements of AI, making links to the development of other literacies such as carbon, data and cultural literacies.

4. Protect our academic integrity and student experience

We will ensure robust pedagogical design where AI is incorporated into teaching, learning and assessment practices and processes. Decisions will be evidence-based, transparent, and communicated clearly. Whether AI use is permitted/not permitted, optional or required in learning or assessment will be made explicit.

5. Foreground accessibility and inclusion in our approach to the use of AI in education

We will adopt suitable AI solutions that support access and participation and identify and seek to reduce or remove any barriers. Where AI is used as an assistive technology we will ensure academic integrity is maintained, whilst meeting our obligations under the Equality Act (2010).

6. Safeguard our community against malicious or illegal use of AI

We will protect data, invest in and maintain cyber security and provide support in cases of abuse or data breach.

7. Commit to clearly communicated and transparent governance

We’ll ensure we are compliant with existing frameworks, to sustain an ongoing iterative approach to the use of AI in education.

How we will use these principles

Our values of collaboration, courage, inclusion, integrity, kindness and openness underpin our AI principles, and will inform any decisions we make regarding partnerships, providers and policy. Any procurement would also be governed by our socially responsible and sustainable approach to supply chains and partners.

These principles are aligned to our foundational commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom, our statutory obligations, and existing policies and expectations including, but not limited to:

Nothing in these principles should be taken to justify sanctioning academic staff for questioning or testing received wisdom or putting forward new ideas including controversial or unpopular opinions within the law, nor should anything in this policy be taken to justify disproportionate restrictions on freedom of speech.

More about AI at Sussex