Unapproved AI Bots Blocked from Tufts Zoom and MS Teams

To safeguard our community’s privacy and data security, Tufts University has implemented restrictions on the use of third-party AI tools in University-managed video conferences. Effective immediately, unapproved AI bots, including tools like Read.ai, are blocked from Tufts Zoom and Tufts MS Teams. This only affects conferences and meetings hosted on tufts.zoom.us or scheduled through Tufts MS Teams. You may notice AI Bots in meetings hosted outside of Tufts. Some of these may try to get you to create an account with their service by denying you access to a meeting until you sign up. Be sure to avoid putting your Tufts credentials into any unapproved bot. This is important because once you’ve signed up these bots may access your Tufts Zoom, Tufts Microsoft, or other Tufts accounts and join and record all of your meetings.

If you see an unrecognized or unauthorized AI bot in a Tufts meeting, please email it@tufts.edu to report it.

Zoom AI Companion is currently the only AI tool that has been vetted for security and privacy and approved for use in Tufts-hosted video conferences. Zoom AI Companion offers features such as automated meeting summaries which, after they are fact-checked, can enhance virtual collaboration while aligning with our institution's data protection standards. 

Please remember:

• Do not use your Tufts credentials when prompted to sign up for any third-party AI bots.

• For guidelines on responsible AI use in video conferences and best practices, refer to Zoom AI Companion Available at Tufts and the AI and Virtual Meetings Online Guide.

For questions or additional support, contact the TTS Service Desk at it@tufts.edu.