This October, the Privacy Office encourages everyone to be aware of potential “hidden data sharing” associated with embedded AI features in software applications. Some AI-enabled tools, including features within document management, editing and productivity platforms, may process document content to generate summaries, recommendations or other outputs. In some cases, information from the documents or datasets you create may be transmitted to third-party generative AI services for training purposes, creating privacy, confidentiality and compliance risks if the tool has not been properly reviewed and approved for institutional use.
At Wichita State, certain AI tools have been approved for use with WSU Private and Restricted data because they meet the university’s privacy, security and contractual requirements. Microsoft Copilot for WSU is one example of an approved tool that operates within established protections designed to safeguard institutional information.
The most concerning privacy risks are often the ones you can’t see. Before using AI features, know where your data is going, who can access it and whether the AI feature has been approved for use with university information. To understand more about appropriate use of AI at WSU, visit the AI at WSU SharePoint site. For more information about data privacy, email privacy@wichita.edu.