Appropriate Uses of Artificial Intelligence

UNC Asheville encourages the responsible use of AI to enhance teaching, learning, research, service delivery, and administrative operations. AI is intended to assist users—not replace human judgment or accountability.

Enhance teaching, learning, and student success.
Support research, scholarship, and academic writing.
Brainstorm ideas and develop creative content.
Draft, summarize, and improve communications and documents.
Increase operational efficiency and streamline administrative tasks.
Assist with coding, scripting, data analysis, and technical troubleshooting.
Improve accessibility through captioning, translation, summarization, and content adaptation.
Analyze publicly available or appropriately classified University information using approved AI platforms.
Support professional development, training, and knowledge discovery.
Improve productivity while maintaining appropriate human oversight.

When AI Should NOT Be Used

Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool, but there are situations where it is not appropriate. AI should not replace human expertise, empathy, professional judgment, or decision-making in circumstances where individuals, safety, rights, or institutional responsibilities may be significantly impacted.

When empathy, compassion, or emotional support is required.
As a substitute for licensed mental health, medical, legal, or financial professionals.
To respond to mental health crises, suicidal ideation, or emergencies.
To make decisions that significantly affect a person’s education, employment, health, legal rights, or financial well-being without appropriate human oversight.
When handling Restricted University data or information that is prohibited from being shared by law, regulation, contractual obligation, or sponsor requirements.
When confidentiality, privacy, or security cannot be reasonably protected.
When the accuracy of AI-generated information cannot be independently verified.
When the use of AI would undermine academic integrity, originality, or the University’s educational mission.
When AI-generated content is intended to deceive, impersonate, misrepresent authorship, or spread misinformation.
Using AI would violate University policy, professional ethics, licensing agreements, or applicable law.
To replace meaningful interactions between students, faculty, staff, or members of the campus community where personal engagement is expected or required.
To make disciplinary, admissions, hiring, promotion, tenure, or termination decisions without meaningful human review.
To replace professional expertise in areas requiring specialized knowledge, ethical judgment, or regulatory compliance.
When the decision requires context, nuance, or situational awareness that AI may not fully understand.
When AI use is explicitly prohibited.
When there is uncertainty about whether AI use is appropriate. In these situations, users should consult their supervisor, instructor, principal investigator, or Information Technology Services before proceeding.

Special Considerations for Mental Health and Well-Being

Artificial Intelligence should never be relied upon as a substitute for professional mental health care or emergency services.

Diagnose mental health conditions.
Assess suicide or self-harm risk.
Provide crisis intervention or emergency counseling.
Replace licensed counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or healthcare providers.
Determine whether someone is experiencing a mental health emergency.
Delay or discourage seeking professional assistance.

If you or someone else is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact Campus Police, call 911, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Appropriate Uses of Artificial Intelligence

Not sure if AI use is appropriate?