FDU AI Reference Guide for Communications and Marketing

This page is intended as a quick reference guide for acceptable AI uses in FDU Marketing and Communications. For the full guide, click here.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help save time and improve productivity, but it should never replace human judgment.

When creating content for Fairleigh Dickinson University, AI may be used to help brainstorm, draft and edit. However, people — not AI — are responsible for ensuring all content is accurate, authentic and reflects FDU’s brand and values.

These guidelines apply to University marketing, communications and promotional materials. They do not apply to classroom instruction or academic work.

Exceptions to any of the guidelines below must be approved by the Office of Communications. Any content, messaging or assets created and intended for external consumer marketing must be approved by the Office of Strategic Brand and Marketing. Examples of external consumer marketing are advertising (print and digital) and promotional collateral (e.g., flyers, mailers, banners, posters, etc.).

Our Four Guiding Principles

  1. Use AI as a Tool

    AI should support your work — not do it for you.

    AI can help assist with simple design layouts and help with routine tasks such as:

    • Brainstorming ideas
    • Writing first drafts
    • Summarizing articles and information
    • Improving grammar, style and readability
    • Creating and organizing notes or transcripts
    • Organizing information
    • Cleaning up existing photos

    Always review and edit AI-generated work before sharing or publishing it. A person must always make the final decisions and approve the finished content.

  2. Review Everything

    AI can make mistakes, invent facts or produce outdated information.

    Before publishing, always:

    • Verify names, dates and facts
    • Check for bias or misleading information
    • Edit for clarity and FDU’s voice
    • Ensure the content meets accessibility standards
    • Confirm you have permission to use any images or copyrighted material
    • Avoid plagiarism

    You — not AI — are responsible for the final content.

  3. Protect Data and Privacy

    Never enter confidential or personal information into public AI tools.

    Examples include:

    • Student or employee ID numbers
    • Birthdates
    • Grades
    • Personal contact information
    • Protected research
    • Internal University data and intellectual assets
    • Privileged organizational knowledge

    Do not upload official FDU logos, trademarks or other proprietary materials into public AI platforms.

  4. Be Transparent

    If AI played a significant role in creating or altering published content, disclose its use when appropriate.

    Example:

    “This image was generated using Adobe Firefly.”

Using AI Images

FDU’s communications should reflect real people, real places and real experiences.

AI is acceptable for:

  • Brainstorming visual ideas
  • Creating abstract illustrations or icons
  • Removing small distractions from photos
  • Color correction and basic photo enhancements
  • Expanding backgrounds without changing the meaning of an image

AI should NOT be used for:

  • Generating images that portray students, faculty or staff in perceived campus locations
  • Creating fictional campus scenes
  • Replacing official University photography
  • Altering official FDU logos or branding
  • Publishing AI-generated people or events as if they were real

Whenever possible, use authentic FDU photography from the University’s Digital Photo Archive.

Avoid Using AI For

Do not use AI to:

  • Publish content without human review
  • Create official statements or sensitive communications
  • Generate quotes from real people
  • Clone or imitate someone’s voice
  • Upload confidential information
  • Create misleading images or videos
  • Replace authentic FDU photography
  • Write bylined content without substantial human authorship

Quick Examples

Writing

  • Appropriate: Draft an email
  • Inappropriate: Publish AI text without reviewing it

Photography

  • Appropriate: Remove a distracting object
  • Inappropriate: Create fake students or campus events

Graphic Design

  • Appropriate: Generate layout ideas
  • Inappropriate: Create final materials without review

Social Media

  • Appropriate: Brainstorm captions
  • Inappropriate: Publish AI-generated images as real FDU experiences

Meetings

  • Appropriate: Create transcripts
  • Inappropriate: Share transcripts without checking accuracy

Before You Publish

Ask yourself:

  • Have I verified the facts?
  • Has a person reviewed and edited the content?
  • Does it accurately represent FDU?
  • Have I protected confidential information?
  • Am I using authentic University imagery and branding?
  • Does this meet accessibility requirements?

If you cannot answer yes to every question, revise the content before publishing.

Need Help?

If you are unsure whether AI is appropriate for your project, contact the Office of Communications before publishing. (Hector Torres, University Graphic Designer, at hector@fdu.edu)

You can also download a copy of the FDU AI Reference Guide for Communications and Marketing.