Dear Members of the WashU Community,
As you know, the university fully supports and encourages the responsible and secure exploration of available AI tools. We have evaluated DeepSeek, which is an open-source large language model (LLM) and have determined it is not safe for use with university non-public information.
Please note: There is a difference between using the public version of DeepSeek and the local instances of the open-source version for research purposes. While we cannot speak to the safety of the local versions, we will continue evaluating that option and provide future guidance.
It is critical that any exploration carefully ensures the security of information, the protection of private data, appropriate copyright and academic integrity policies are followed, and strict compliance with rules and regulations.
WashU IT has been working closely with university leaders, carefully tracking developments and adapting plans to support our community in a secure, compliant way that protects the privacy of data and adheres to guidelines and standards.
We encourage you to use the university’s private instance of ChatGPT and other approved tools as listed on the AI Application Chart. Guidance is available on that site, as well as through the WashU Digital Intelligence & Innovation Accelerator.
As a reminder, please follow these guidelines for the responsible use of AI tools:
- Be mindful not to share sensitive information.
- Recognize these tools can be inaccurate, sometimes “hallucinating” or generating inaccurate, misleading, or fabricated content.
- Make sure to adhere to our current academic integrity policies.
- Be on the lookout for AI-enabled phishing.
- Connect with WashU IT prior to procuring generative AI tools.
If you have any questions, please examine existing university policies for institution-specific guidance.
This is an exciting time, and we are looking forward to continuing to support you in our important work. Together, we will ensure WashU remains positioned as a world-class institution, focused on innovative research, education, and community engagement.
Sincerely,
Jessie Minton