Approved AI Tools & Data Safety
Pacific Lutheran University encourages the thoughtful and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence. However, protecting our community’s data is our highest priority. Before using any AI tool, you must understand the type of data you are working with.
Because PLU has enterprise agreements with specific vendors, some tools are safe for internal university data, while others are strictly for public, non-sensitive information.
Understand Your Data
Please ensure you are familiar with PLU’s data classifications before using AI.
🟢 Open
Also known as directory information. It is often public information, or generally releasable, with little to no threat of harm associated with its disclosure.
Examples: Course catalogs, university class schedules, retention & graduation statistics, university policy documents, public financial statements.
Also known as directory information. It is often public information, or generally releasable, with little to no threat of harm associated with its disclosure.
Examples: Course catalogs, university class schedules, retention & graduation statistics, university policy documents, public financial statements.
🟡 Private
Sensitive and often confidential information intended for limited, authorized access only. A breach could result in legal consequences or damage to the university’s reputation.
Examples: Internal emails, budget data, intellectual property, student & employee information including grades, schedules, coursework, ID numbers, demographics, employment records.
Sensitive and often confidential information intended for limited, authorized access only. A breach could result in legal consequences or damage to the university’s reputation.
Examples: Internal emails, budget data, intellectual property, student & employee information including grades, schedules, coursework, ID numbers, demographics, employment records.
🔴 Restricted
Confidential, high-risk data only accessible by authorized officials. Mishandling could result in significant damages, identity theft, or heavy penalties.
Never use an AI tool to access or process Restricted Data. Examples: Social Security Numbers (SSNs), passwords, medical information, credit card numbers.
Confidential, high-risk data only accessible by authorized officials. Mishandling could result in significant damages, identity theft, or heavy penalties.
Never use an AI tool to access or process Restricted Data. Examples: Social Security Numbers (SSNs), passwords, medical information, credit card numbers.
AI Tools Directory
The following tools have been reviewed for data privacy and security. Match the tool to your data type before proceeding.
| Product (Company) | Approved Data Types | Review Status | Data Privacy Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini (Google) |
🟢 Open 🟡 Private |
Approved | Secure. Applies to PLU Google accounts only. PLU has an enterprise contract with Google for Gemini and Workspace apps. Data entered while logged into your PLU account is protected and is not used to train public AI models. |
| NotebookLM (Google) |
🟢 Open 🟡 Private |
Approved | Secure. Applies to PLU Google accounts only. PLU has an enterprise contract with Google for Gemini and Workspace apps, which includes NotebookLM. Data entered while logged into your PLU account is protected and is not used to train public AI models. |
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) |
🟢 Open Only | Not Reviewed | Public. Do not enter Private or Restricted data, even if you have a personal paid subscription. |
| Claude (Anthropic) |
🟢 Open Only | Not Reviewed | Public. Do not enter Private or Restricted data, even if you have a personal paid subscription. |
| Grok (xAI) |
🟢 Open Only | Not Reviewed | Public. Do not enter Private or Restricted data, even if you have a personal paid subscription. |
| Copilot (Microsoft) |
🟢 Open Only | Not Reviewed | Public. Do not enter Private or Restricted data, even if you have a personal paid subscription. |
Looking for more information?
PLU Faculty and Staff can log in to the secure Internal AI Hub to explore how colleagues across campus are integrating these tools.
PLU Faculty and Staff can log in to the secure Internal AI Hub to explore how colleagues across campus are integrating these tools.