Artificial Intelligence Use at Stony Brook University Libraries

Approved 2025-12-03 | Version 1.4

The primary audience for this document is users of Stony Brook University Libraries for transparency around our use of Artificial Intelligence.

Stony Brook University (SBU) Libraries adheres to the fundamental values of libraries as outlined by the American Library Association, including equity, privacy, and access. SBU Libraries also embraces the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Guiding Principles for AI. In our current strategic plan, artificial intelligence is present in all four of its priorities, which supports our principal and most current value: Stony Brook University Libraries will be bold and innovative leaders in advancing research, teaching, and learning.

SBU Libraries' Guiding Principles On Our Use of Artificial Intelligence

We

• believe in the Human-in-AI principle, also known as “no human, no AI,” which ensures human oversight of the creation and use of AI tools
• are committed to using AI transparently and clearly identifying and communicating the tools created and used by the libraries, as well as how they serve our community.

• continue to safeguard user privacy, confidentiality, and safety
• are committed to inclusive access to our technologies
• are committed to AI literacy
• uphold integrity and responsible AI use
• strive to critically evaluate AI tools implemented in vendor products
• are committed to evaluating, piloting, and sunsetting our AI tools as appropriate

Areas of Potential AI Use

• Discovery and Access
• Collections: Curation and Preservation
• Research, Teaching, &  Learning
• Accessibility
• IT, Data, & Data Analytics
• Operational Efficiency
• Creative Research and Development
• Persona research
• Content generation as appropriate

What the Libraries Don’t Use AI For

• AI is not used to track, evaluate, or discriminate against individual patrons, including their search and borrowing history/activities, and behaviors.
• AI is not used to determine eligibility for library services or to replace the professional expertise of library staff and faculty.
• AI is not used to sell sensitive data.
• The libraries will not build or fine-tune AI models using sensitive or inappropriate information.

Disclaimers

• The resources that the University Libraries subscribe to, such as databases and research portals, incorporate AI features into their tools as add-ons, rather than as standalone tools. The Libraries make these accessible to the SBU community as they are available from our vendors. We test them as they become available and, in some cases, turn them off due to unsatisfactory functionality. As acclaimed library vendors for our resources, we trust that they would not put our community at risk. Our staff and faculty discuss updates with vendors and preview the add-on tools before they go live, wherever possible. To reiterate, this disclaimer applies specifically to the add-on AI tools that our library vendors incorporate into their products. See our AI Research Guide on the AI in Library Resources page for more information.

• Our approach to AI will continue to evolve as technology and community needs progress. These principles reflect our current practices and commitments, but may be updated over time. When we make changes, we will share them openly with our community.

Resources

1. Core Values of Librarianship, American Library Association, January 2024
2. Research Libraries Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence, Association of Research Libraries, April 2024
3. IFLA Statement on Libraries and Artificial Intelligence, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, October 2020
4. Recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, UNESCO, November 2021
5. Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence by the USF Libraries (Draft), Dean of Libraries, USF