Generative AI 101: Strategic, Responsible Use in Extension

GENERATIVE AI 101: Strategic, Responsible Use In Extension Comms

Justin Moore | NC State Extension

Context + Resources GOAL: To share guidance that facilitates responsible, productive use of AI – specifically generative AI tools – among Extension experts at NC State.

Extension AI Guidance + Best Practices ➔ This is NOT comprehensive or final information. ➔ This IS an area that will evolve and expand.

Topics Outline

1 Intro + Rising Influence 2 GenAI Landscape (Spotlight: ChatGPT) 3 Risks + Responsible Use

INTRO TO GENERATIVE AI

Generative AI (“GenAI”): Artificial Intelligence refers to the intelligence of machines that can perform tasks associated with intelligent beings.

GenAI refers to AI tools that generate a wide range of content – like text, images, videos, audio and more. They learn and refine their responses based on user interactions and data used to train them.

AI’s Rising Influence ● *AI projected to add $15.7T to the global economy by 2030 (= nearly 15% of total global economy in ‘24) ● ^U.S. adoption of GenAI moving faster than adoption of the personal computer and internet ● ChatGPT alone has over 123M daily active users

*View source (Business Insider); ^View source (Harvard)

Americans Using GenAI Several Times a Week (2024)

Source: Pew Research Center

Seismic Shift In Search ● Consistent decline in search traffic for Google ● More people – particularly younger generations – gathering info from other sources ● Modern internet is built around Google search (most sites receive most of their traffic via Google) ○ Major impacts across all markets! ○ How do we differentiate and help stakeholders engage with our resources?

AI’s Rising Influence Gartner Hype Cycle maps a technology’s lifespan, from infancy to maturity, through five phases: 1.

2.

Innovation Trigger Peak of Inflated Expectations <–– GenAI is here Early publicity produces a number of success stories — often accompanied by failures. Buzz gets louder, just before the culling.

3.

4.

5.

Trough of Disillusionment Slope of Enlightenment Plateau of Productivity

Key Takeaways ● GenAI is a powerful, game-changing technology ● Despite dizzying growth, it’s still in the early stages (more growth + innovation to come) ● AI is here to stay… We must leverage it to help augment our expertise / resources!

GEN AI LANDSCAPE

Types of GenAI Tools *AI Assistants – answer questions, generate content, brainstorm ideas, spark creativity and more (most versatile group)

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Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

Writing Tools – writing content (articles, emails, social posts), summarizing docs ●

Tools: Grammarly, QuillBot, Jasper, Copy.ai

Task / Workflow Automation – streamlining task mgmt., organizing / analyzing data, improving productivity

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Tools: Microsoft Copilot, Zapier, Notion AI, Asana

Code Generation – writing / debugging code, assist with web content ●

Tools: GitHub Copilot, Codex, Tabnine

Types of GenAI Tools Image / Visual – creating custom images, graphics, visual designs, image edits, etc.

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Tools: Ideogram, Canva, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly

Video – producing video content from text / images, creating AI avatars, automating video editing, etc.

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Tools: Runway, InVideo, DeepBrain, Sora

Audio – voiceovers, text-to-speech, audio enhancements, music composition, etc.

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Tools: Descript, Murf.ai, ElevenLabs

Approved AI Tools (OIT) OIT-approved generative AI tools (view list here): ○

OpenAI ChatGPT Team (paid license) ■ Free ChatGPT not recommended… BUT you can submit IT request to use it

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Google Gemini ■ Gemini; Gemini for Workspace (paid license)

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Microsoft Copilot ■ Copilot; Copilot Pro (paid license)

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Grammarly Pro (paid license)

Important Notes ● Must use NC State account with approved AI tools; personal accounts not allowed w/ university data ○ See OIT data classification levels for details about data that can (and can’t) be used with AI tools ● To use free or currently unapproved versions of AI, you should submit an IT Review Request ● *You can / should turn off data sharing for free accounts! ○ Account settings > Find option related to data usage, product improvement, training, etc. > Opt out!

Getting Started… ● Identify Your Needs ○

Define key goals / tasks and where GenAI may be able to assist (e.g., writing, design, data analysis, workflow)

● Research Available Tools ○

Explore recommended tools; test free versions or leverage trial plans that align with your needs (look for reputable reviews)

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Finding “best” AI tools is personal – explore + experiment!

Getting Started… ● Learn Best Practices ○

Familiarize yourself with AI risks and responsible usage

● Incorporate Into Workflow ○

Gradually integrate the most useful tools into your daily tasks

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Build premium versions into budgets (as feasible)

A Partner, Not a Replacement ● AI tools cannot replicate the nuances of human reasoning (moral, ethical and other contexts) ● AI must be balanced with judgment and principles ● These are tools to augment your expertise and ingenuity, not replace them – YOU are the experts!

SPOTLIGHT: USING CHATGPT

GUIDE / WORKSHEET:

Save a copy to your Drive or computer to edit!

ChatGPT’s Capabilities Think of ChatGPT as a creative and analytical assistant that can streamline your work and boost productivity, e.g.: ●

CRAFTING CONTENT: Emails, newsletters, stories, social posts, headlines, reports, etc. (as well as translation)

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EDITING: Improve tone, grammar and clarity in your writing

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BRAINSTORMING: Ask questions and generate ideas for everyday tasks / topics

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SUMMARIZING: Paraphrase or condense large amounts of content for various formats

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ORGANIZING: Streamline tasks by categorizing ideas, creating outlines, generating structured to-do lists / plans, etc.

Start With the Basics ● Define key goals / tasks and where GenAI can assist (e.g., writing, design, data analysis, workflow) ● Explore recommended tools — test free versions or leverage trial plans — that align with your needs ● Familiarize yourself with AI risks and responsible use ● Integrate most useful tools into your workflow; build premium versions into budgets (as feasible)

ACTIVITY:

Identify three tasks or projects in your role where you could use ChatGPT…

Customize Your Experience ● With Custom Instructions, you can “program” ChatGPT (or other tools) to provide better, more targeted feedback, content, etc. ● Be thoughtful and thorough – it can make a significant difference in the relevance and value of the output!

Customize Your Experience Steps to get started: 1. Create an account with ChatGPT. 2. Click profile icon at top right and choose “Customize ChatGPT.” 3. Under “Custom Instructions,” complete each section.

ACTIVITY:

Outline info / ideas for your responses to each main question (1500 characters each)

“What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?”

TIPS: ● Include background on Extension (e.g. our mission) ● Summarize your program area and role / core responsibilities ● Identify your key audiences and big-picture goal(s)

“How would you like ChatGPT to respond?”

TIPS: ● Describe the tone, reading level, amount of detail you prefer ● Outline compatible personality traits / conversation style ● *Instruct ChatGPT to remain objective + only share info from trusted, reputable sources ○ Vetting will still be necessary!

Tips for Productive Prompts ●

Be Specific and Clear ○

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Provide Context ○

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Clearly define what you want, incl. details like tone, format & purpose

Share background info or any details to help ChatGPT understand

Use Step-by-Step Instructions ○

Break down complex tasks into steps or stages

Tips for Productive Prompts ●

Set Limits ○

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Use it for inspiration, but don’t overrely on AI (you’re the expert!)

Leverage Role-Playing ○

Ask the AI to act in a specific role to shape its response “Pretend you’re an Extension 4-H youth specialist explaining the basics of STEM to a group of middle-schoolers…”

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Experiment and Iterate ○

Test different phrasing and prompts until you get desired results

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Rather than starting over, ask for refinements to the response: "Let's make it shorter, minimize this or that, and be more casual."

RISKS + RESPONSIBLE USE

Risks to Consider ●

Data Privacy: Avoid sharing sensitive or confidential info – see OIT guidance on sensitive data

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*Fact-Checking (“Hallucinations”): Always verify AI outputs for bias, accuracy, appropriateness, etc.!

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Situational Nuance: Responses may lack the nuance needed; refine outputs to align with your audience’s tone, context and needs

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Overreliance: Use AI as a tool to complement – not replace – your knowledge and relationships

Responsible Practices ● Start with Clear Goals ○

Define the purpose of your interaction with the AI. Ensure it aligns with your communication objectives and ethical standards.

● Use Outputs as Drafts, Not Final Products ○

Treat responses as a starting point – review, revise and further develop the concepts / content.

Responsible Practices ●

Remember: You’re The Expert, Not the AI ○ ○

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Don’t rely on AI tools for subject-matter expertise in your area — plug in YOUR knowledge and let it help shape it Carefully vet ALL responses for accuracy, language/tone, redundancy, appropriateness, etc.

Educate Yourself and Others ○

Guidance and rules are evolving quickly – monitor ongoing issues, discussions and rules regarding AI.

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Share insights, promote responsible usage across teams.

Sourcing AI? While consensus varies by context, discipline and institution, NC State advises disclosing the use of AI in some situations: ● AI Citation Is NOT Necessary… ○

When AI provides basic assistance like grammar checking, rewording / formatting, spell-check, preliminary brainstorming, outlining / generating ideas you later develop independently, etc.

● AI Citation IS Necessary… ○

When “any materials or assets were produced by or significantly derived from AI-generated outputs”

Sourcing GenAI? To cite generative AI – e.g. Gemini – consider including the name of the AI tool (Gemini), the company that created it (Google), the date it was accessed, and link to the tool if possible.

Sample Format:

“AI Tool, Company / Creator, Date accessed, URL.” Example:

Created with help from: Gemini, Google, January 7, 2025, gemini.google.com.

Key Takeaways ● Treat AI as a collaborator, not an authority ● Use outputs as drafts, not final products ● Engage, experiment and refine your approach ● Critically evaluate and confirm ALL info, always!

go.ncsu.edu/ExtensionAIGuidance