AI Conceptualization and Policy Permissibility
University of Florida
University of Florida
Abstract
When universities create AI policies, they often conceptualize AI as something, such as a tool or a
resource. This
study questions whether such policies are affected by how they envision AI. In other words, is the
permissible a
function of conceptualization? To answer, R1 university policies were rated independently by three raters on
two axes:
conceptualization and permissibility. When visualized, the ratings clearly show that while AI qua TOOL does
not
inherently attach either to the restrive or permissive, AI qua RESOURCE does not attach to the restrictive.
Ultimately,
this study shows that universities are unlikely at this time to conceptualize AI as a resource and
simultaneously ban
it.
