FAQ - The Do's and Don'ts in Mistral-Le Chat (Vibe)

Public

• No personal data.
• If this data is leaked, the University of Groningen (UG) will not suffer reputational damage and/or there will be no significant consequences.
• No personal data is processed for profiling purposes.

Internal (low)

• Personal data used only internally within the organization, requiring limited protection, such as basic contact details.
• If this data is leaked, the RUG may experience short-term reputational damage and/or minor financial harm.
• Personal data is processed for profiling, but no automated decisions are made based on this data.

Confidential (medium)

• Data such as addresses and salary information, but not including specially protected categories.
• If this data is leaked, the UG may face long-term reputational damage and/or significant financial harm.
• Personal data is processed for profiling, and automated decisions are made based on this data.

Secret (high)

• Sensitive personal data, such as medical or financial information, and other data classified as special categories of personal data under the GDPR.
• If this data is leaked, the UG may suffer serious and potentially permanent reputational damage, major financial harm, and/or operational consequences.
• This category also includes information security data, data breaches, budgets, or other non-public financial information of the UG.
• Personal data is processed for profiling, and automated decisions with significant personal consequences are made based on this data.

*Special personal data includes information about race/ethnicity, political views, religion/philosophy, union membership, genetic data, biometric data (for unique identification), health data, and/or sexual behaviour/orientation.

**Sensitive information about intellectual property, such as confidential patent applications, unpublished innovations, and scientific articles, especially during the development phase or before formal protection (e.g., patent, trademark registration) is obtained.

Mistral - Vibe (Le Chat): Be cautious at medium confidentiality level: Mistral can be used, provided that code interpreter, image generation, web search, and Flash Answers are disabled. Click on "Tools" and disable the functions (see example below).

ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.: These tools are not supported by the UG and have not all been thoroughly assessed for privacy and security risks. In some cases, these tools have even been rejected due to the risks they pose. External AI tools may only be used for processing public information.

What data is permitted?

*Special personal data includes information about race/ethnicity, political views, religion/philosophy, union membership, genetic data, biometric data (for unique identification), health data, and/or sexual behaviour/orientation.

**Sensitive information about intellectual property, such as confidential patent applications, unpublished innovations, and scientific articles, especially during the development phase or before formal protection (e.g., patent, trademark registration) is obtained.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) to provide feedback on assignments such as essays and theses from students?

Yes, as long as no special personal data or intellectual property is processed in the theses, and the AI feedback does not play an automatic and unclear role in decision-making/evaluation and only serves to support the teacher. The teacher remains responsible for assessments, and the use of AI must be communicated to students.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) to develop educational materials?

Yes, as long as the materials do not contain intellectual property or special categories of personal data.

Can I process personal data of students using Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

Yes, as long as the data does not contain special personal data. Ensure that there is no sensitive information such as grades, study results, and evaluations, or special personal data such as information about race/ethnicity, political views, religion/philosophy, union membership, genetic data, biometric data (for unique identification), health data, and/or sexual behaviour/orientation in the notes.

Analyzing study performance is not allowed in Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat), as this processing poses too high risks. For processing personal data of students and employees, Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) is suitable, provided that the use of code interpreter, image generation, web search, and Flash Answers is disabled.

Overview - What personal data is permitted?

Can I analyze student study results with Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

No, analyzing student study results is not allowed because this information (in combination with other information about students) may need to be considered as special personal data.

Do I need to explicitly ask my students for permission if I intend to use a Mistral agent to provide feedback on their written work?

Theses, exams, and other student work are almost always considered personal data, even without a name or student number, due to traceability via context or writing style. Processing can therefore only take place on the basis of a legal ground. Consent is not suitable here; the UG can rely on its educational and examination task (Article 6(1)(e) GDPR). Students must, however, be informed, for example via the syllabus and privacy statement.

The AI Act stipulates that decisions affecting academic progress must never be made solely by AI: there must always be a ‘human in the loop’. AI may support, summarize, and suggest improvements, but it may not assess or decide.

Additionally, copyright remains with the student. Their work may only be used for educational purposes, not for training or external publication.

Recommended communication to students:

“The work you submit (thesis, exam, assignment) may be analysed by lecturers using Mistral to generate feedback. This is done within the processing agreement that UG has concluded with Mistral. Copyright remains fully yours. If you disagree with the feedback, you can contact your lecturer for a possible second review.”

Does the Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) pilot also provide access for students, so that working with an AI assistant can be integrated into education?

The AI assistant Vibe (Le Chat) Free is now available to all students at the University of Groningen. Vibe (Le Chat) is an AI assistant from Europe and distinguishes itself from systems such as Gemini, Claude or ChatGPT by placing extra emphasis on privacy and data protection, in line with European regulations. Vibe (Le Chat) was already available to University staff. As the Executive Board considers it important that students too can work in a secure AI environment, it has been decided to extend the pilot to students.

Why Use Vibe (Le Chat) Free?

Vibe (Le Chat) is a European AI assistant developed by Mistral, which stands out for its particular focus on privacy and data protection. The University of Groningen has a contract with the company, which includes clear agreements on the secure processing of data and personal information. The pilot scheme for students is also covered by this licence. You can use Vibe (Le Chat), for example, to create summaries, improve texts, produce translations, assist with exam preparation (sample questions) or formulate study tips. It can also support you with literature reviews, data processing, and the writing or rewriting of academic texts.

What Should You Pay Attention to When Using Vibe (Le Chat)?

The Vibe (Le Chat) Free pilot for students has several specific features:

• Educational programmes may draw up specific guidelines for the use of AI and Vibe (Le Chat). You will receive further information on this from your programme or faculty.

• Lecturers may ask students to use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) Free for educational purposes. Lecturers are not permitted to use AI for automated assessment or marking.

• Vibe (Le Chat) Free for students includes almost all the features of the full version, but with daily limits. You can send a maximum of 25 prompts per day and upload 5 to 10 files per session.

• Vibe (Le Chat) Free is not suitable for summative assessments – assessments where the mark formally counts towards the final grade – that are highly time-dependent (such as an exam in the Aletta Jacobs Hall).

• Vibe (Le Chat) Free is, however, suitable for formative assessment – assessment where the mark does not count – such as practice assignments. Vibe (Le Chat) Free can also be used for summative assessment where the mark counts and deadlines are less critical (such as an essay that can be written over several weeks), but please bear in mind the daily limits.

• Students cannot be required to use AI assistants that have not been approved by the University of Groningen without being offered an alternative.

• AI products are constantly evolving, including Vibe (Le Chat). Consequently, their functionalities are regularly updated. The University of Groningen has no influence over this. The pilot with Mistral is scheduled to run until August 2028, but developments may mean that the partnership with Mistral has to be terminated earlier.
  
  

May I upload a PDF of a published scientific article to a Library in Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

At present, there is no definitive answer regarding whether non-open access articles may be uploaded to Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat), even if the University of Groningen (UG) holds a subscription to the journal. The parties involved (University Library, CIT, and AJZ) are working on a practical and legally sound solution.

This is a complex issue that requires greater knowledge and awareness of licences and the various types of licences applicable to scientific publications. It is important for UG staff and researchers to be aware of the following:

• The rights and restrictions associated with different licence types (e.g., closed subscriptions, open access, hybrid models).
• How licence agreements with publishers work and what is and is not permitted.
• What alternatives exist for sharing and analysing articles within the applicable licence terms.

How can I create an account or log in?

You can create an account with Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) by:

• Go to https://mistral.ai/products/vibe/
• Choose for SIGN UP
• Log in with your UG email address. Use your @rug.nl or @student.rug.nl email address
• Click ‘Continue’,
• Select ‘Continue with University of Groningen – SSO’
• Use your P-number and corresponding password, and enter the one-time MFA code.

It is essential not to use Google, Apple, or Microsoft for logging in. Only with this procedure will a UG account be covered by the legal agreement between the UG and Mistral

Can I process transcripts using Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?"

Processing transcripts in Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) is allowed, provided the following conditions are met:

• The transcripts do not contain special personal data.
• The tools 'code interpreter', 'image generation', and 'web search' are disabled.
• The 'Flash Answers' function is disabled.

Transcripts that contain only ordinary personal data, such as names, general education information, and course codes, may be processed. However, if the transcripts contain sensitive information such as study results or special personal data such as information about race/ethnicity, political views, religion/philosophy, union membership, genetic data, biometric data (for unique identification), health data, and/or sexual behaviour/orientation, it is not allowed.

Overview - What personal data is permitted?

Can I have audio files transcribed by Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?”

Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) offers a built-in transcription feature for ‘short’ audio clips. However, for transcribing audio files, we recommend using Whisper on our own IT infrastructure. This solution is suitable for data classified at the highest level.

Can I convert meeting notes into minutes using Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

Yes, that is allowed, as long as the notes do not contain any special categories of personal data. You may process ordinary personal data, such as names and general discussion points. Ensure that no sensitive information—such as grades, academic results, assessments, or special categories of personal data (e.g., information about race/ethnicity, political opinions, religion/philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data for unique identification, health data, and/or sexual behaviour/orientation)—is included in the notes.

For meetings involving organization-sensitive information, Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) is suitable, provided that the use of the code interpreter, image generation, web search, and Flash Answers is disabled (see the example under Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat): Caution at medium confidentiality level).

Can I summarize or textually or substantively improve university policy documents using Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

Yes, you can.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) to prepare presentations?

Yes, as long as no special personal data or intellectual property is processed in the presentations.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) to write emails on behalf of the university?

Yes, as long as the content of the emails does not contain special personal data or intellectual property.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) to plan and organize meetings?

Yes, as long as no special personal data of participants is processed.

Can I use Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) on my tablet or mobile phone?

The mobile app currently does not work for enterprise users (such as the UG) because the Mistral app does not support the Single Sign-On (SSO) login method, which is required to comply with UG’s privacy and security guidelines. Mistral is developing this functionality and expects to roll it out soon.

Does the pilot also provide access to Mistral’s models via an API?

The current Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) pilot at the UG does not yet offer direct access to Mistral’s models via an API. This functionality depends on further coordination between CIT, the faculties, and other involved services.

Efforts are actively underway to realize this possibility in the future. However, due to the complexity and numerous dependencies, it is currently impossible to provide a concrete timeline for when, how, and for whom this functionality will become available.

Can I have the recording of the University Council (or Faculty Council) meeting (public meeting) transcribed using Vibe (Le Chat)?

Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat) offers a built-in transcription feature for ‘short’ audio clips. However, for transcribing audio files, we recommend using Whisper on our own IT infrastructure. This solution is suitable for data classified at the highest level.

Can I check research papers for plagiarism with Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

No, checking for plagiarism is outside the scope of Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat), and specialized tools are available for this.

See EDU-support for more information on Assignment with plagiarism detection.

Can I check research papers for AI use with Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

No, checking for AI use is outside the scope of Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat). Due to, among other things, the high risk of false positives and false negatives, scores from AI detection tools do not count as evidence of student fraud, according to the UG AI policy for education.

See EDU-support for more information on "Dealing with fraud and risks.

May I upload a PDF of a published scientific article to a Library in Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat)?

At present, there is no definitive answer regarding whether non-open access articles may be uploaded to Mistral-Vibe (Le Chat), even if the University of Groningen (UG) holds a subscription to the journal. The parties involved (University Library, CIT, and AJZ) are working on a practical and legally sound solution.

This is a complex issue that requires greater knowledge and awareness of licences and the various types of licences applicable to scientific publications. It is important for UG staff and researchers to be aware of the following:

• The rights and restrictions associated with different licence types (e.g., closed subscriptions, open access, hybrid models).
• How licence agreements with publishers work and what is and is not permitted.
• What alternatives exist for sharing and analysing articles within the applicable licence terms.