Transparent Use of AI

Generative AI is transforming the creation and editing of content for our university’s website. This includes informational texts, announcements, and press releases, as well as graphics, images, and audio and video content.


Legal Framework for AI Use

The legal framework is provided by the European Union’s AI Regulation, known as the AI Act. Among other things, it specifies when AI-generated or AI-modified content must be labeled. 

Labeling is required in particular when:

  • image, audio, or video content has been artificially generated or altered in such a way that it can be perceived as genuine (“so-called deepfakes”),
  • published texts have been largely generated or substantially altered using AI and serve to inform the public about matters of public interest.

Labeling is generally not required if 

  • AI is used solely for support purposes, such as for linguistic revisions or translations,
  • media is technically edited without substantially altering its message,
  • AI-generated or AI-modified texts have been subject to human review or editorial oversight prior to publication, and a natural or legal person bears editorial responsibility for the publication.
For artificially generated or altered image, audio, and video content that qualifies as a “deepfake,” the requirement for labeling through human or editorial oversight generally remains in effect.

Using AI for Web Content

We use AI to generate content on our websites in accordance with the legal requirements mentioned above. Content is labeled when required by law or by the university. In such cases, we use the icons shown below. If no labeling is required, we do not include a corresponding notice.

Editorial responsibility always rests—regardless of the use of AI—with the respective person or university department responsible for publication.

Our AI labels and what they mean:

This icon indicates website content that has been altered using AI—for example, by replacing people, adding or removing realistic image elements, or rewriting large sections of text.

 

This icon identifies website content that was created entirely or almost entirely using AI, such as a computer-generated image, a synthetic audio recording, an explanatory video, or a text written largely by AI.

The label indicates that content has been created or modified using AI. However, responsible use of AI goes beyond this: content must be fact-checked, legally permissible, and consistent with the university’s values.

The University of Kassel uses generative AI responsibly in its editorial work

We follow the EU Code of Conduct on Transparency of AI-Generated Content and have derived the following principles for the University of Kassel from it:

  • Authentic and Credible
    : We use AI in a way that ensures the University of Kassel, its members, facilities, and programs are presented in a factually accurate, credible, and authentic manner.
  • Human-Reviewed
    We carefully review all content created or edited using AI before publication. In doing so, we pay particular attention to factual accuracy and to avoiding discriminatory content and stereotypes. Academic content is reviewed by appropriately qualified staff members.
  • Respecting
    Data Protection As a general rule, we enter personal and confidential information into AI applications only in anonymized form. For non-anonymized data, we use exclusively applications approved by the university and compliant with data protection regulations.
  • Protecting
    personal rights: We process photos and videos of individuals using AI only if explicit consent has been obtained.