Faculty Council at my institution, FER, officially approved our new Responsible AI Usage Policy, a document I was proud to lead alongside an exceptional team. It represents FER‘s commitment to responsible innovation, ethics, and academic leadership.

Figure 1. Approved AI policy nailing both innovation and responsibility

Why does this matter?

Every day I see how students and researchers use AI to transform learning, research, and innovation. But powerful tools demand consequential responsibility. At FER, we reject the false choice between innovation and ethics. Thoughtful guidelines amplify innovation, build trust, and help shape responsible leaders who positively impact society.

Personal reflection

Leading this policy was challenging yet rewarding. I learned firsthand that effective AI policies aren’t about limiting innovation; they empower it. The toughest part? Balancing the incredible potential of AI-driven innovation against the real-world risks of bias, overdependence, or misalignment with our core EU and academic values. Navigating these nuances taught me invaluable lessons on leadership, collaboration, and strategic clarity.

What’s next?

FER now has a transparent framework for using AI in teaching, research, and administration, and we hope it inspires other institutions too. Curious about the specifics? Here is the full Responsible AI Usage Policy, in English (Claude 3.7 translated) and Croatian. I’d love your thoughts!

How are you balancing ethics and innovation in your organization’s AI journey?

Special thanks to Nikolina Frid, Juraj Petrović, Ana Zgaljic Keko, and Luka Petrovic for their contributions to this important initiative.

Written on March 13, 2025