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Use of AI tools in research

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN) offers several AI tools for you as a researcher. Here you will find advice on how to use them safely and securely.

What do we mean by AI tools?

In this context, by AI tools we mean language models or other generative AI tools, such as:

With these services, you can search, generate text and analyse data – safely and securely. GPT UiO and SIKT KI-Chat has Feide log in, and are approved for use with green and yellow data. Copilot and Keeenious is approved for use with green data.

If you use Microsoft Copilot through various Microsoft applications, be careful to use your INN user account, not your private Microsoft account, if you have one.

Research integrity and the use of AI

A person pointing at a digital icon with the text «AI» in front of a laptop, surrounded by graphic symbols illustrating artificial intelligence and network connectivity.

An article from 2025, in the International Journal of Educational Integrity, is a useful guide for those who wish to learn more on responsible use of generative AI in research.

The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity «TENK», has in 2026 published a new national recommendation, Artificial Intelligence in Research: Research Integrity and Ethical Principles which also provides useful guidance.

More on the use of AI tools in research

About the AI tools

The AI tools INN provides is constanstly updated and improved. Although we can´t always bring you the newest and hottest, we try to cover the basic functions that let you:

  • choose between a range of different models
  • upload documents
  • create AI assistants
  • generate images and audio

No user data from the services is used to further develop the language models INN provides, and chat history and uploaded documents are handled securely and according to GDPR compliant data processing agreements.

Areas of use and inspiration

Modern language models can support the entire research process: from idea development, through literature searches and manuscript drafts, to project descriptions and writing applications.

You can, for example:

  • suggest research questions and search strategies
  • draft problem statements, proposal texts and summaries
  • analyse and reformulate texts
  • carry out language editing and summarise complex research findings
  • use it to gather information in connection with application writing and reporting
  • generate images
  • generate programming code

Remember information and consent: Participants in research projects must be informed about how any information is handled, including the use of AI tools for data analysis or text processing.

Limitations in the use of language models

The models are based on existing data and do not have access to all information. Therefore, be especially aware that:

  • language models lack the ability to critically assess sources and cannot replace academic judgement
  • they can reinforce existing bias and stereotypes present in the training data
  • the use of language models must always be assessed against the requirements for privacy, ethics, copyright, security and transparency in research

AI and research ethics

We recommend that you familiarise yourself with INN's regulations on privacy and research ethics.

In addition, we recommend the following guidelines as a starting point for the ethical use of AI in research, taken from Resink & Hosseini, 2024:

  • The researcher is responsible for identifying, describing, reducing and controlling AI-related biases and random errors
  • The researcher should disclose, describe and explain their use of AI in research, including its limitations, in language that can be understood by non-experts
  • The researcher should involve affected communities, population groups and other stakeholders in the use of AI in research in order to obtain their advice and assistance, and should take their interests and concerns into account, such as issues relating to sampling bias

  • The researcher using synthetic (AI-generated) data should:

    - state which parts of the data are synthetic
    - clearly label the synthetic data
    - describe how the data was generated, and
    - explain how and why the data was used

  • AI systems should not be listed as authors, inventors or rights holders, but their contribution to the research should be disclosed and described
  • Training and guidance in responsible research practice should include discussion of the ethical use of AI

Source: The ethics of using artificial intelligence in scientific research: new guidance needed for a new tool (Resink, Hosseini – 2024, doi: 10.1007/s43681-024-00493-8)

Further reading: Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research (European Commission, April 2025)

Use of AI tools other than those provided by INN

INN recommends that our employees use the AI tools for which we have a data processing agreement. Nevertheless, it is a reality that these tools do not cover everyone's needs. In cases where you and your project are involved in the development or use of other AI tools, you are personally responsible to make sure privacy, data security and ethics are complied with, ensuring that you:

  • do not share personal data or confidential data material
  • do not share articles or material with uncertain copyright status (this also includes your own and the institution's research data)
  • as far as possible, choose providers that comply with GDPR and store data within the EU/EEA
  • ensure that the use is in accordance with public legislation and guidelines, and take the EU AI Act into account