Use of library resources with AI

Most library resources can’t be shared with or uploaded to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. GenAI providers may use uploaded content to train their models, and our agreements with publishers do not allow sharing licensed materials  with third parties (e.g., GenAI services or people/organizations outside the University).

The Libraries continue to work with publishers to negotiate rights to use licensed materials  with GenAI tools. When GenAI use is permitted, it will be noted in Omni, the Libraries’ catalogue. See below for current limitations on GenAI use.

When publishers allow GenAI use, the following limitations apply:

Applies to all cases

• Do not share data with anyone other than Authorized Users (Waterloo faculty, staff and students).
• Do not train or fine-tune any tool in ways that:
  • create competing or commercial products or services;
  • disrupt the publisher’s platform or licensed materials; or
  • reproduce or redistribute any part of licensed materials to third parties.

Local (on-premises) GenAI tools

• Must run in secure environments on University of Waterloo-owned and maintained servers following reasonable information security protocols.

Third-party GenAI tools (e.g., Copilot)

• Can’t be used to train models.
• Must be used in secure environments only.
  • See IST’s list of approved AI tools under University data – Confidential or Restricted.

1. How do I know what counts as GenAI use?
2. What counts as a “secure environment”?
3. Why can’t I upload content to GenAI tools? 
4. What is the difference between text and data mining and GenAI use?
5. What if the content is open access?
6. What if I opt out of training when using a GenAI service?

How do I know what counts as GenAI use?

GenAI use includes:

• Uploading licensed content (e.g., a journal article or book chapter) to a GenAI chat system or service (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.).
• Copying and pasting an entire item (e.g. a journal article or book chapter) into a GenAI chat system or service.
  • Including pasting the full item in sections over multiple prompts in a session.

GenAI use does not include:

• Using articles in services with optional AI features as long you do not use GenAI tools on the licensed content. For example, uploading an article to OneDrive and choosing not to use the GenAI feature to “summarize the attachment.”
• Using short excerpts, such as brief quotations, in a GenAI chat system or service.

What counts as a “secure environment”?

• AI tools approved by IST as appropriate for University data – Confidential or Restricted.
• Locally hosted AI or GenAI tools on University servers that have reasonable information security measures and are not shared with users outside the University community.

Why can’t I upload content to GenAI tools?

The Libraries have agreements with publishers that describe what we can and can’t do with their materials. Breaches can result in loss of access for individual users or the entire campus. Our Electronic Resources Appropriate Use Guidelines and the Finding Usage Rights page have more information.

Publishers are trying to protect their materials from being used to train GenAI models without their permission or payment.

What is the difference between text and data mining and GenAI use?

• Text and Data Mining (TDM) is the analysis of large quantities of text or structured data to look for patterns, trends or relationships.
• GenAI use refers to using materials with a GenAI service (e.g., uploading to Copilot) or to train your own GenAI models.
• A license might allow TDM but not allow GenAI use. For example, you may be able to download large datasets for analysis, but not use that data to build or train a GenAI model.

What if the content is open access?

• Open access materials are free to read, but usage rights depend on the copyright of the materials. Some may have a Creative Commons (CC) license (e.g., CC-BY) that allows reuse. Check the item for a copyright or license statement.
• Open-licensed content is not limited by the Libraries’ licenses and may be used to the extent permitted by the open license.

What if I opt out of training when using a GenAI service?

• Opting out prevents your uploads from being used for model training, but it does not make the service secure.
• Only AI tools with University agreements, or local, on-premises tools with proper security, meet publisher requirements for secure environments.