AI Taskforce Overview

The purpose of the KU AI Taskforce is to provide strategic guidance, oversight, and support for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in academics, university administration, and research at the University of Kansas. This taskforce's charge is to support KU in its goal to become a national leader in developing ethical AI technologies, educating students about their impact, and supporting their use in a responsible, ethical, and compliant manner. The taskforce represents diverse stakeholders and will evaluate the alignment of AI initiatives with the strategic plans of the KU Lawrence and the University of Kansas Medical Center. The taskforce will also assess and propose appropriate resources, advise and engage educators and administrators, support researchers, and create relevant policies.

Taskforce Committee Members

Goals

  1. To establish responsible AI principles.
  2. To provide guidance on the appropriate use of AI.
  3. To develop a strategy for the use of AI in academics, administration, and research.
  4. To advocate for needed investments in AI.
  5. To approve frameworks that ensure AI risks are identified and addressed.
  6. To develop policies, processes, practices, and standards for using AI and data.
  7. To provide guidance on AI education for faculty, staff, and students.
  8. To provide guidance on the use of AI in the generation of intellectual property.
  9. To engage stakeholders

Taskforce Responsibilities

  • Create a formal charter for the taskforce.
  • Establish relevant subcommittees. 
  • Coordinate efforts to govern AI technology and use. 
  • Create a maturity model for the taskforce’s efforts.
  • Track and disseminate information about state and federal regulations (concerning AI) KU must comply with. 
  • Rather than regulations, there will also be guidance. In such cases we should communicate how strictly we are adhering to that guidance.
  • Create communication channels to disseminate information about the committee and its efforts internally.
  • Work with communications to disseminate information about AI at KU externally.
  • Develop or identify trainings for faculty, staff, affiliates (individual, controlled, and non-controlled), and students in AI for learning, teaching, operations, and research. Initially, this should be focused on establishing a baseline of understanding in these areas (e.g., basic understanding of LLMs, or responsible use of LLMs by students).
  • Define responsible AI principles.
  • Review and approve AI strategy, ensuring that goals are aligned with the strategic plans of KU Lawrence and KUMC.
  • Internally developed AI – provide guidance for responsible development of AI.
  • Start an inventory of current AI efforts, mostly focused on academics and administration, so we know what already needs to be governed. Maintain inventory over time as needed. 
  • Propose use-cases for where AI can benefit KU in the areas of academics, administration, and research to leadership.
  • Foster connections among all University campuses to leverage expertise and promote collaborations in this area. 

Procedures

  • The taskforce will meet every two weeks.
  • There will be two chairs, one representing KU Lawrence and the other KUMC.
  • Emergency sessions can be called by either chair.
  • Items of business to be addressed in a meeting are to be submitted 72 hours prior to the meeting.
  • The agenda and any other relevant information will be sent out 24 hours prior to the meeting.
  • Minutes will be captured by AI during the meeting and stored in the taskforce SharePoint site.
  • Attendance will be taken at meetings. Those unable to attend should try and send an alternate in their place. Absent attendees should read the minutes before the next meeting.
  • The committee may establish subcommittees to focus on particular issues. Subcommittees will bring decisions to the full committee for a vote.
  • A quorum of half the members must attend a meeting in order to make binding decisions at that meeting.
  • Decisions will be made by majority vote, with a determined effort to reach unanimous consent. In the event of a tie, the committee chairs will attempt to reach consensus to decide the tie. If consensus between the chairs cannot be reached, then the issue will be tabled.