Statement on Artificial Intelligence
The University of Northampton recognises the transformative benefits and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for teaching, learning, research, knowledge exchange and in enhancing inclusivity and productivity in the day-to-day operation of the University. AI is already embedded in many of the systems our staff and students use every day. However, we also recognise the risks in the uncontrolled use of AI, especially of Generative AI. There are issues around ethics, bias, misinformation impacting both academic rigour and personal safety. There are additional concerns around data processing and the impact on sustainability and intellectual property. All of these need to be addressed by organisations and individuals using AI.
We are therefore committed to educating and developing staff and students of both the potential and the risks of using AI to support their academic work as well as preparing them for future employment and in AI’s broader context in shaping society including the political, social and personal landscape in which it will increasingly play a part.
We will take a human first, critical and informed approach to what AI can add to the mission of the University. We will not be led by the AI tools in themselves, but by what they add to human endeavour, and our staff and students will be informed and enabled to make choices around their AI use through the contextual inclusion of its use in their studies and via clear and unambiguous guidance, especially on its use in assessment.
Artificial Intelligence
Help, Support and Tools
Tutors will provide guidance on the use of AI on courses and should be the first point of reference for any questions relating to the course.
You may also wish to email an Academic Librarian librarians@northampton.ac.uk for help with AI in literature searching and referencing guidance.
Alternatively, you may wish to meet with a Learning Development Tutor in drop-in regarding the use of AI within assessments.
For general staff questions on AI, please contact lte@northampton.ac.uk.
If you would like to discuss how you might make changes to your assessments, please contact the Learning Design team LD@northampton.ac.uk.
We have more links and information for staff getting started with AI.
For more information about the AI Design Assistant in NILE, please see our guide or contact your learning technologist.
If you would like a free 10-minute assessment of your AI digital competency level then please use the Northampton Discovery Tool.
View our Ai Glossary.
Microsoft Copilot is the primary recommended AI tool and is available for all University staff and students providing AI-powered chat for the web. Copilot allows you to use AI to explore new content and ways of working with that content. For more detailed information about Copilot, please see our guide.
The following guidance provides more details on the use of Copilot and other AI tools.
GREEN (Low Risk / Preferred)
University-approved or institutionally managed tools with suitable security, governance or contractual arrangements.
Can be used with:
- University information (where appropriate)
Personal data (subject to UK GDPR and normal information handling requirements)
Teaching, learning, research and administration
Internal business processes
Examples
- Microsoft Copilot (using the UON account) – Preferred institutional AI tool. This is the preferred option for university and personal data.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot – Covered by institutional Microsoft environment and governance.
- NILE / Blackboard AI Design Assistant – Embedded within institutional learning platform. Used for question generation, rubrics and course design.
- Microsoft Copilot Chat in Edge – Uses institutional authentication where available.
Typical Use Cases subject to tutor approval (see assignment guidance)
- Drafting emails, reports and presentations
- Lesson planning and curriculum design
- Accessibility support
- Creating learning materials
- Internal productivity tasks
- Summarising university documents
AMBER (Medium Risk / Use With Caution)
Generally acceptable for public or non-sensitive information but should not be used with personal, confidential or commercially sensitive University data.
Can be used with:
- Public information
- Anonymous data (meaning information cannot identify individuals)
- Personal study
- Brainstorming and ideation
- Generic content creation
Must NOT be used with:
- Student data
- Staff data
- Research data requiring protection
- Commercially sensitive information
- Confidential university documents
Examples
- ChatGPT Google Gemini, and Claude – Acceptable for low-risk tasks but not for sensitive data.
- Perplexity – Good for research discovery but avoid sensitive inputs.
- Consensus – Research support tool highlighted within PGR guidance.
- Research Rabbit – Literature discovery tool.
- Semantic Scholar AI tools – Research discovery.
- ChatPDF – Only upload public documents.
- Elicit – Research assistance tool.
- Explainpaper – Research support tool.
- Canva AI – Design platform with AI features.
- Grammarly Premium AI – Generative functionality exists and must be used within assessment guidance.
Typical Use Cases
- Brainstorming ideas
- Drafting generic content
- Market research
- Literature searching
- Summarising public documents
- Generating images for non-sensitive work
RED (High Risk / Not Recommended or Prohibited)
Tools or uses that create significant information security, privacy, legal, ethical or reputational risks.
Examples
- DeepSeek – High risk / privacy concerns
- Unvetted AI tools requiring upload of personal data – Not permitted.
- Public AI tools used with student records – GDPR risk.
- Public AI tools used with HR data – GDPR risk.
- Public AI tools used with research participant data – Research ethics and data protection concerns.
- AI tools with unclear hosting, ownership or retention policies – High institutional risk.
- AI note-taking/transcription tools without approval – Potential risk
Typical Uses Not Permitted
- Uploading assessment submissions to public AI systems
- Uploading student support records
- Uploading disciplinary information
- Uploading HR data
- Uploading identifiable research data
- Uploading confidential commercial contracts
Simple Guidelines
- Green
University-approved + logged in with UON account = usually safe
- Amber
Public AI service + public/non-sensitive information only
- Red
Any AI tool handling personal, confidential, research or commercially sensitive data without approval
