Recently, I attended the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, as an ASAE member.

It was my version of IMSH! There, a lot of conversation took place both in sessions and in the hallways about AI tools (such as Chat GPT and Google Bard) and how associations can and should approach the onslaught of new tools.

It got me to thinking, of course, about how SSH members and their institutions might or might not be implementing AI usage. It also got me to thinking about ethical use of such tools.

The definition of ethics when it comes to this new environment has yet to really be defined, which makes it tricky when it comes to preaching ethical use. That said, there are two steps I think any individual can take up front if they’re interested in staying on an ethically guided path while agreed upon definitions are developed.

Transparency and Disclosure

When utilizing AI tools, transparency is key. Ensure that your audience (no matter how small or large) is aware they are engaging with AI-generated content. Clearly label or mention when AI is being used to provide information, answers, or generate content. This helps foster trust and prevents any misinformation or confusion.

Human Oversight and Review

While AI tools can provide rapid assistance — and, trust me, the speed can be intoxicating —  always maintain human oversight. Review the content generated by AI to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with your association's values. AI can assist, but it's your expertise, and fact checking, that guarantees the quality of the final output.

By combining transparency and human review, you can harness AI tools to enhance your association's work ethically. These steps not only showcase your commitment to authenticity but also likely support the standards and values that define your organization or association. And … as technology evolves, your responsible and ethical use of AI will set a positive example for others in the industry. So, stay safe, stay sensible, stay ethical, and we’ll talk again soon.

Curtis Kitchen
SSH Director of Marketing