Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how we create, communicate, and share information online. We can now generate realistic images, videos, voices, and documents in seconds, making it increasingly difficult to tell what is genuine and what is not.

These technologies offer many benefits, but they are also changing the cybersecurity landscape. Cybercriminals can use AI to create convincing scams, impersonate trusted individuals, generate false identities, and manipulate information on a large scale.

At UCT, we use digital platforms every day to learn, teach, work, collaborate, and connect. As AI becomes part of these interactions, we need to think more carefully about what we see, what we share, and how we respond.

Being a responsible digital citizen in an AI-driven world means recognising that something can look, sound, or feel authentic, even though it isn’t genuine. It means pausing to verify information before trusting it, sharing it, or acting on it.

Don’t believe everything you see online

AI-generated content is becoming increasingly convincing. Images can be created or altered, voices can be replicated, and videos can be manipulated to make people appear to say or do things they never did. These “deepfakes” can be used to mislead people, damage reputations, and create convincing impersonations.

AI can also be used to create false identities. In higher education, for example, AI-generated identities may be used to impersonate applicants or students, gain access to services, or commit fraud.

A familiar face, a professional-looking document, or a message from someone you know should not automatically be accepted as genuine. Consider where it came from, who created it, and whether it makes sense in context. When something seems unusual or asks you to take an important action, verify it through another trusted source or communication channel.

Taking a moment to check can help to prevent misinformation, impersonation, and manipulated content from spreading.

Your digital identity matters

Responsible digital behaviour starts with understanding the digital identity we create for ourselves.

Our names, photographs, social media profiles, posts, comments, and professional information all contribute to our digital footprint. Information shared online can remain accessible for years and may be used in ways we never intended.

AI adds another dimension. Information we share publicly can be used to build a picture of who we are. This can help criminals to imitate aspects of our identity, or to make scams and fraudulent messages more convincing.

Before posting or sharing information, consider whether

  • it reveals too much about you or someone else
  • you would be comfortable with it remaining online in the future, and how others could use it

Responsible online behaviour still matters

AI introduces new challenges, but the principles of responsible digital citizenship remain the same.

We still need to communicate respectfully, protect other people's information, think before posting or forwarding content, and use digital platforms appropriately. The same applies when using AI tools. AI can help generate ideas, draft content, and summarise information, but we remain responsible for what we choose to use, publish, and share.

For staff and students, this also means using generative AI thoughtfully and transparently in learning, teaching, research, and other university activities. This includes understanding when AI use is appropriate, disclosing its use where required, and respecting academic integrity, copyright, and intellectual property. UCT's copyright guidelines and Information security policy provide guidance in these areas.

Using AI responsibly

As AI becomes more integrated into our work and studies, we need to think not only about what these tools can do, but also about how we should use them.

AI can support tasks such as brainstorming, summarising information, drafting content, and conducting research. At UCT, Microsoft Copilot is available to staff and students as an AI tool within the university environment. When accessed with a UCT account, Copilot Chat operates with Microsoft’s Enterprise Data Protection, which provides additional safeguards for the information you enter and helps reduce the risk of university data being exposed through public AI services. UCT also advises users to verify AI-generated information and follow relevant university guidance.

Using AI responsibly means considering whether its use is appropriate, whether you are protecting other people's information, and whether you are respecting academic integrity and intellectual property.

AI-generated information is not always accurate, so before you use or share it, always verify important information against reliable sources.

Think before you share

This is especially important when information belongs to someone else or to UCT.

Student and staff information, research data, unpublished work, administrative records, and intellectual property all require careful handling. Before sharing information with an AI tool or any online service, consider

  • what it contains
  • who should have access to it
  • whether you are authorised to share it

These questions can help to guide your decisions:

  • Is the information I'm looking at genuine?
  • Am I sharing information that could expose someone else's data?
  • Am I using AI in a way that respects academic integrity and intellectual property?
  • Have I verified that the information provided by an AI tool is accurate?

These simple checks can help us to make informed decisions about what we trust, what we share, and how we use AI. UCT’s privacy and data protection policy also provides guidance and information on handling information responsibly.

Our choices have a wider impact

Responsible digital citizenship is about recognising that our online actions affect others.

Sharing unverified content can contribute to misinformation. Exposing someone else's information can affect their privacy. Misusing another person's work or using AI irresponsibly can affect their rights, reputation, or academic work.

At UCT, individual actions can affect the wider university community. What starts with one person, one message, or one decision can quickly affect many others.

Being a responsible digital citizen in an AI-driven world is not about being suspicious of everything online. It is about being aware, thoughtful, and willing to pause before acting.

Staying responsible in an AI-driven world

As AI continues to evolve, we may not always be able to rely on first impressions. We can, however, build habits that help us to navigate the digital world more safely:

  • Verify information.
  • Protect our digital identity.
  • Think carefully about what we share.
  • Take responsibility for the content we create and use.

These everyday actions form the foundation of responsible digital citizenship at UCT.