AI in Education Working Group

The AI in Education Working Group report outlines ways U-M can thoughtfully navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape while preserving the central purposes of education, including learning, critical thinking, deep learning, and human judgment.

U-M Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence

October 16, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world. As a leading research university, U-M has the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to our collective future by creating, applying, and sharing knowledge that serves the people of Michigan and the world. These principles should be a catalyst for disciplinary discussions, not directives, so that collectively we can guide AI’s potential toward enriching lives, advancing the public good, and preparing leaders to challenge the present and build a better future. People, not AI, will take final responsibility for the decisions and outcomes of their AI use.

1. Champion responsible, human-centric AI

AI should augment human capabilities, not replace human creativity, discovery, expression, or professional fulfillment. We will keep people at the center and use technology to improve the human condition, and remain vigilant of its potential environmental and workforce impacts. As individuals and as a campus community, we will lead responsibly in the selective use of AI technology.

2. Advance our institutional mission

U-M will explore the thoughtful integration of AI to enhance teaching and learning, and to accelerate research and discovery across the university’s scholarly and service areas. We will remain watchful of potential unintended negative consequences due to AI use and adoption, and we will support scholarly work and activities that investigate such impacts. We will be discerning in our application of AI, prioritizing uses that generate knowledge, improve lives, and serve society.

3. Support critical thinking development while building AI literacy

Faculty, staff and students at U-M should have access to the tools and knowledge that equip them to thrive in the age of AI, including a general understanding of how AI systems work, their biases, social and environmental impacts, when and how they may be used, and when their use should be avoided. We will study outcomes, listen to our communities, and adapt as the technology changes.

4. Lead with purpose and engage in continuous improvement

AI has significant potential to improve lives, but realizing that potential requires us to be thoughtful about its risks, potential harm, and consequences. U-M must be agile in assessing its promise, reducing its risks, and advancing what comes next. Disciplines will define how AI should be utilized and adopted in their specific areas so as to foster students’ intellectual maturity, their productive struggle in learning, and their creative and critical thinking development. Our graduates will be prepared to lead successful careers in the age of AI.

5. Center ethics, integrity, and transparency

While AI can inform decisions, its use must reflect ethical judgment and uphold academic integrity, research rigor, clinical judgment, and the standards of each profession. The university and community members should comply with governing law and be transparent about how AI is used to generate, analyze, or support work in areas such as teaching, scholarship, operations, and communication.

6. Ensure privacy of data and of the university community

Trust is essential to AI adoption. U-M will safeguard university, research, and patient data through strong institutional governance. AI systems and usage must follow security, compliance, and privacy practices and be clear about their capabilities and limitations.

Printable Version

Click here to view or download these principles as a PDF.