Skip to Main Content
Turku University Library

Library Guide to Artificial Intelligence

Responsibility

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly common aids in both studying and research. Their use brings new opportunities – but also responsibilities. This page outlines the key principles for the responsible use of AI in information seeking, with a particular focus on copyright, data security, transparency, and environmental impact.

Perspectives on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

Using AI in Information Searching

  • Choose a tool that suits your information needs. AI is not a solution to everything, nor can it access all the world’s knowledge. General-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT, Copilot and similar tools are not suitable for academic information searching, as they cannot access subscription-based databases and may not provide source references.
  • Critically evaluate the content generated by AI.
  • Verify the existence and reliability of sources.
  • AI is a support tool, not an authority – the ultimate responsibility always lies with the user.

Privacy and Data Protection in AI Tool Use

  • Pay attention to the sharing of personal data – both your own and especially that of others – when using AI tools.
  • Do not input personal, sensitive or confidential information into AI tools.
  • Find out how the tool uses your data. This includes both account-related personal information and the data you input into the tool.
  • Whenever possible, work within a closed AI environment (e.g. an internal organisational AI tool that does not share data externally).

Copyright and Creative Commons Licences

  • Do not input copyrighted material into AI tools without permission from the copyright holder.
  • Materials licensed under Creative Commons have broader usage rights. Always follow the licence terms:
    • Do not input CC-licensed materials into AI tools operating in open environments. In such environments, the material may become part of the AI’s training data, and future outputs may not comply with the licence’s basic requirements (e.g. CC BY = credit the author, specify the licence and original publication source).
      • For example, if you input a CC BY-licensed image into an AI tool, it may become part of the training data. The AI may later generate content based on it without crediting the original creator – even though the licence requires it.
  • Always check the licence terms and assess the reliability of the site where you found the material.

Library's Licensed E-Resources

  • Library's licensed e-resources are paid materials acquired for the university under specific agreements.
  • The publisher, as the other party to the agreement, defines the terms of use – including use in AI tools.
  • All commercial use of e-resources is prohibited. Therefore, uploading library e-resources into AI tools operating in open environments is strictly forbidden.
  • Use of e-resources may be permitted in closed AI environments, if the terms of use allow it.
  • Always check the terms of use in Volter. You’ll find them alongside the resource in question.
  • Further information is available in the library’s guide on Terms of use for e-resources.

Transparency, Reporting and Referencing AI Use

  • Be open about how and at what stage you have used AI. Also mention which tools you used.
    • The university’s guidelines on AI use in teaching, studying and research direct how AI should be used and reported.
    • Publishers also have their own policies regarding permitted AI use and reporting.
  • AI is not an agent and therefore not a source – it cannot be an author or a literature reference. Content generated by AI is not verified information.
  • Cite everything that is not your own thinking. If you use AI-generated text or images, clearly state the role of AI in the process.
    • Describe, for example, the prompts and intended use, and include the AI-generated content if necessary (e.g. as an appendix).
    • Check the copyright terms of the AI tool you are using, especially if you plan to use AI-generated content in your research. Different tools may have different terms regarding copyright.
    • Referencing styles also provide guidance on citing AI (e.g. APA, Chicago Manual of Style, MLA). Familiarise yourself with the instructions for your chosen style.
  • Remember that referencing is not the same as reporting AI use. If you use AI in your work, find out under what conditions it is allowed in your course – or whether its use is permitted at all.

Environmental Impact

  • Developing AI consumes significantly more electricity, water and minerals compared to traditional technologies.
    • High-performance computing in AI requires much more energy than simple internet searches.
    • Producing AI-based tools requires rare earth metals, the mining of which can cause environmental degradation. The production process may also involve ethically problematic working conditions, such as child labour.
    • Data centres supporting AI require large amounts of fresh water for cooling, often exceeding the needs of basic technologies.
  • Be aware of when and why you are using AI. Consider whether the same information could be obtained using less resource-intensive methods (e.g. a traditional search engine or library database without an AI assistant).

Using AI in Research