University of Utah Research Education (REd), part of the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance, has released new asynchronous training materials covering the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) in research.

REd recommends all university researchers review its AI Basics digital flipbook, an 11-page document that includes articles and videos from experts around campus.

This resource is essential reading for researchers because:

·         Legal and ethical risks are real. Federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health now prohibit AI-generated content in grant applications, and publishers do not allow AI-authored manuscripts. Misuse of AI tools can lead to plagiarism, intellectual property violations, and data privacy breaches.

·         Institutional policies matter. Only approved tools are permitted for university business. Using unvetted platforms may compromise sensitive data or violate university policy.

·         Responsible use is key. Researchers are accountable for verifying AI outputs, disclosing usage, and ensuring scholarly integrity.

Topics covered in the flipbook:

1.      An overview of university guidelines and resources

2.      Ethical considerations—bias, transparency, accountability, and environmental impact

3.      Plagiarism and intellectual property concerns, including proper disclosure of AI use

4.      Best practices for AI use in grant writing and research

5.      Insight on why publishing agencies have banned AI-generated content

6.      Generative AI prompt literacy for researchers

7.      University AI tools and strategies, including the prioritization of security and privacy and the phased rollout of approved platforms