Brand Standards: AI

AI Branding Guidelines

The AI Branding Guidelines offer recommendations for the use of GenAI in creating assets and materials intended for public and university stakeholder communications. Proper governance, human oversight and authenticity are essential to accurately represent the USU Brand.

Most documents and internal communications produced by the university are public records subject to Utah's GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act) laws. As an evolving technology, GenAI usage guidelines, standards and policies are subject to ongoing updates. To maintain best practices, UMAC will periodically review AI policies from both the State of Utah and internal university stakeholders. 

AI Policy Resources

  1. State of Utah - Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy: Utah’s official office for AI policy, regulation and innovation. 
  2. USU AI Resources: Resources for faculty, staff, students and partners to access information about AI at USU. 
  3. AI Guidance: Utah State University encourages the responsible and ethical integration of AI across academic, research, and administrative functions, providing clear guidelines on usage expectations, data privacy, accuracy verification, and the supplementary role of AI to human judgment.

Definitions

  1. Generative AI (GenAI): AI that can create original content including text, images, design elements, audio and video, via a written prompt or other source provided by a human user. 
  2. Predictive AI: (machine learning): AI expressly used for assisting to make data driven decisions by using statistical analysis and machine learning to identify patterns, anticipate behaviors and forecast outcomes. 
  3. Narrow AI: AI systems that are not designed to mimic human intelligence but instead perform a specific task or a set of closely related tasks such as search, facial recognition and language translation. 

Controls

  1. Human Oversight: Professionals should review and approve AI outputs to ensure quality standards, accuracy, relevance, and alignment with USU’s brand identity. Seek guidance from team members when using AI. 
  2. Proper Supervision: Monitor privacy, security, and data concerns through proper supervision. This will ensure management of content quality.  
  3. Disclosure: When possible, disclose the use of GenAI in creating or assisting with the creation of assets to all team members involved with a project. If deemed necessary or required by official university policy, cite the use of GenAI in materials including all types of communications and marketing materials. 
  4. Privacy Protection: Always protect Personally Identifiable Information and data rights. 

Operational Use

Current software platforms in use by the university have a variety of AI tools that include generative, predictive and narrow AI capabilities to assist with projects and tasks. These tools can support brainstorming, streamline workflows, and enhance productivity, allowing creators to deliver high-quality work efficiently. 

Choosing GenAI Platforms 

  • Prioritize using well-established and reputable GenAI platforms to maintain USU’s standards of quality and integrity. 
  • Evaluate platforms for security, privacy, and compliance with USU’s standards.