The growth of AI is advancing at incredible pace, and much of it is untested. Extreme vigilance and care should be taken when you consider downloading and using AI apps and services.
The most recent headline-grabbing AI tool is DeepSeek, which is very new and largely untested, though it is being analysed by specialists world-wide.
The University advises students and staff not to install or use this software until more is known about its wider ramifications.
If you do wish to use AI tools, University staff and students can access a secure web version of Microsoft Copilot, which is accessible through your Sussex account. Your Sussex access ensures your data remains protected while you explore the capabilities of Copilot (unlike other web accessible tools). However, if you log in with personal email or other non-University credentials your data and information is not protected, so it is worth double checking that you are logged in securely.
You can access Copilot at: https://copilot.microsoft.com/
You can also find out more about Copilot on the Educational Enhancement team’s Microsoft Copilot webpage.
Things to remember when using AI software
- Use Microsoft Copilot, through your University login, if possible.
- If you do choose to use other AI software, such as DeepSeek, run regular updates to ensure you are using the latest version.
- Be aware of the level of censorship of AI such as DeepSeek. At present it is impossible to say how deep this goes, however tests show that it, for example, refuses to answer questions about some topics such as the Tiananment Square protests.
- Be aware that data collection is excessive and invasive, particularly in the case of DeepSeek, way beyond anything you’d reasonably expect. This means it will collect information about your keystroke patterns and rhythms. If you use Microsoft Copilot, through your University login, this risk is avoided.