What is Generative AI?
Who better to explain this than the well-known chatbot ChatGPT, which itself uses Generative AI technology. So I asked ChatGPT to explain the term Generative AI to me and received the following answer:
“Generative AI refers to algorithms that are able to create independent content such as text, images or music by learning from large amounts of data. It can be used, for example, to automatically create design drafts or generate text. The advantages lie in increased efficiency, scalability and the ability to offer customized solutions. They can also support and accelerate creative processes. The disadvantages are that they require a high-quality data basis and can raise ethical concerns, especially when it comes to replacing human labor. In addition, the quality of the generated content can vary and require human review.”
Why do companies need guidelines for the use of Generative AI?
As explained above, Generative AI is a technology that is able to generate completely new types of content independently for the first time. On the one hand, this is a huge advantage because it takes over or supplements some human activities. On the other hand, this software capability also entails risks because the technology can only be controlled to a limited extent.
For this reason, guidelines on the application and use of generative AI are becoming increasingly important. Companies, management boards and boards of directors need to ask themselves in which areas they want to allow the use of Generative AI and tools such as ChatGPT and where not. If the use of Generative AI is advocated in the company, further guidelines and instructions must be developed on what employees must observe when using Generative AI and ChatGPT.
What do guidelines for Generative AI include?
The scope of the Generative AI Guidelines varies depending on the company, industry, number of employees and customer requirements.
Basically, the first question is whether the use of Generative AI is permitted in the company at all. Companies must then consider whether they want to allow tools such as ChatGPT, which are based on Generative AI, to store their data outside of Switzerland.
Once the guide has answered these questions, it goes on to discuss the areas of application of Generative AI and the type of data that Generative AI is allowed to access.
It is advisable to define the areas, use cases or employee groups for which Generative AI may be used. The type of data should also be determined. Some companies only allow publicly accessible data to be used with ChatGPT.
Detailed guidelines also contain precise instructions on the use of individual AI tools. For example, it is then precisely defined which prompts may and may not be used for ChatGPT.
How do companies develop their own guidelines for the use of Generative AI?
The development of company-specific Generative AI guidelines is usually developed in the form of workshops. This primarily involves members of management and other department heads. If the company only has limited knowledge of Generative AI, it is advisable to involve external experts with knowledge of Generative AI in the workshops.
During the workshop, participants should ask themselves the following questions:
- What regulatory and legal conditions apply to our industry?
- What additional ethical values do we want to represent?
- How does the use of Generative AI fit in with our mission statement and vision?
- Do we want to drive innovation in the company through the use of Generative AI?
- Do we see ourselves as leaders or followers when it comes to the use of innovative technologies such as Generative AI?
- Do we want to allow Generative AI to independently generate content that is sent to customers and partners without human intervention?
- How do we train our employees to use Generative AI and tools that use this technology?
Tips for creating guidelines for the use of Generative AI
The basic rule for the creation of guidelines for the use of Generative AI is that they should not be created by a single person, but should always be the product of a teamwork phase. Furthermore, the guidelines should leave enough room for later adaptations and additions. Developments in the field of generative AI are rapid and sometimes difficult to predict. This makes it all the more important that companies do not restrict themselves with too many guidelines.
Generative AI is a technology that can also significantly boost a company’s creativity and innovative strength. When drawing up guidelines, companies should be aware of how much they want to restrict these opportunities for innovation by having too many guidelines. At the same time, the “blind” use of Generative AI also entails risks. It is important that the guidelines minimize these risks and encourage employees to use the new technologies respectfully.
Best Practices: Generative AI Guidelines
- Create the guidelines as a team and never alone.
- Integrates important information on the use of ChatGPT. Address the issue of data protection and make your employees aware that they should never enter confidential or sensitive data in ChatGPT or similar tools.
- Keep your guidelines flexible so that you do not limit the overall opportunities for innovation.
- Also keep the customer and their needs in mind when creating Generative AI guidelines. Customers usually want a quick, high-quality response. Generative AI can provide useful support here.
- Align the guidelines with the vision of your company.
- It can also make sense to exchange ideas with other companies on Generative AI guidelines and learn from others.
Conclusion: Generative AI guidelines for companies
In view of the further development of Generative AI and the increasingly broad application possibilities of this new technology, companies should develop their own guidelines on how Generative AI and tools such as ChatGPT may be used internally. However, these guidelines should not primarily be used to slow down motivated teams in the development of innovations, but should serve as the basis for the successful application of new AI technologies. Each company must consider its own values and goals and reflect these in its own Generative AI guidelines.
And now?
Of course, I am happy to help you with the creation of your Generative AI Guidelines. Send me your non-binding request and I will be happy to send you a small offer.
