An AI Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a formal document that establishes guidelines for how employees can use artificial intelligence tools within an organization. It defines approved tools, prohibited activities, data handling rules, and consequences for violations.
Key components of an effective AI AUP include: a list of approved and prohibited AI tools, data classification rules specifying what information can be entered into AI systems, guidelines for reviewing AI-generated outputs, intellectual property considerations, security requirements (authentication, logging), compliance requirements mapped to relevant regulations, training and acknowledgment requirements, and enforcement procedures.
An AI AUP differs from a general IT acceptable use policy by addressing AI-specific risks such as prompt-based data exposure, AI-generated content accuracy, model training on company data, and the rapid pace of new AI tool adoption by employees.
Organizations should review and update their AI AUP at least quarterly, given the fast-evolving AI landscape, and ensure all employees acknowledge the policy through formal training and sign-off.
