UCASU AI Referendum 'NO’ Campaign Manifesto
From April 28th–30th, you will be asked to vote on whether UCASU should be allowed to use Generative AI within the organization. We believe this decision is crucial in establishing a student precedent surrounding GenAI and would like to use this manifesto to speak directly to those of you who may be feeling indifferent or unsure about the ongoing normalization of AI tools. Before you vote, we ask that you consider the following points:
- The Students' Union should represent us. The values of UCASU include creativity, connection, and community. These are values chosen by the student body that GenAI directly threatens. AI is not capable of creativity; it is a machine that feeds off the work of others. It is not human and cannot be collaborated with, nor does it encourage us to engage with one another. Will the SU still be representative of UCA students if we allow it to utilize tools that counter the mission we put forward?
- AI cannot be trusted for accuracy or data protection. AI learns based on what it is fed and struggles to distinguish legitimate sources from satire. It is known to hallucinate data and information where needed. If we allow the SU to engage with GenAI, how can we be sure that the information it is given remains confidential? Who would hold the Union to account if they utilized the inaccurate information it generates?
- We are a creative arts institution. Our community is made up of artists, designers, and thinkers of all disciplines. GenAI presents a significant threat to our industry through the (often unlawful) theft of our work to train generative tools. It has been used to eliminate entry-level positions, and while it cannot be relied on consistently, it rarely matters to those looking to reduce costs. Right now, we can control how much of it is utilized in our environment in a way we might not in the future. With that in mind, would we not want to encourage creativity and original thinking? Why not focus on maintaining and increasing the prospects afforded to students instead of outsourcing work from SU staff and eliminating future opportunities from our peers?
- A 'no’ consensus could change things for the better. We believe that a rejection of unnecessary implementation of Generative AI tools within our SU could help communicate student perspectives to both UCA and the wider education sector. By voicing your concerns, you're helping to create a clear consensus among emerging creatives that may help guide future conversations. It may seem like a small issue now, but it has the potential to go further.
If you're planning to vote no, we want to thank you. We know you'll come together to support this referendum beyond participating in the vote. We've seen you organize before and want to encourage you to support each other in educating and supporting your peers with this decision. We're working hard to keep UCA a space for creatives, and we want our Students Union to reflect our collective values the way they've promised to.
If you'd like to formally participate in the ‘vote NO’ campaign, please reach out to our campaign lead, Quinn Walker, via email: 2322633@students.ucreative.ac.uk