Queen’s has developed its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) interface—but not every student agrees it should have one.
The University has developed and released its own generative AI interface: LibreChat. Queen’s claims that with data inputted remains within Queen’s domain, staff and instructors can use it for “accelerating administrative tasks, supporting teaching and learning, and research.” They also say it can be used for “ideation, brainstorming, and first drafts,” in alignment with fair use and academic integrity considerations.
In a written statement from Terry Soleas, the University’s special advisor on generative AI, informed The Journal that development of this interface began in late 2024. He clarified that the primary goal of LibreChat is to give both students and staff a secure, private, cost-effective platform for experimenting with large language model technology.
“Some AI tools, especially free services, rely on users’ inputs and uploaded content as training data, which can become the company’s intellectual property,” Soleas said. “Queen’s developed LibreChat to protect the community’s privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property. LibreChat keeps all prompts and documents within Queen’s digital domain, is protected by enterprise‑level security, and complies with all Queen’s policies.”
But not every student has been excited to hear Queen’s has developed its own generative AI model. Julia Walmsley, ArtSci ’26, spoke to The Journal about her concerns about the University’s creation and endorsement of LibreChat.
“I think the promotion and development of AI by Queen’s is dangerous,” Walmsley said. “Students no longer think critically. They just rely on GPTs for essays and discussion.”
Walmsley also expressed concerns about the effect that generative AI interfaces like LibreChat have on the planet.
“It’s terrible for the environment,” she said. “Queen’s is contributing to global warming through its promotion of AI, which is a sharp contrast to their promise to be carbon neutral by 2040.”
In September of 2025, the Queen’s Coalition Against Austerity (QCAA) expressed concerns in their newsletter that LibreChat could lead to workplace surveillance, pointing to a lack of clarity over who has access to data stored on Queen’s servers. In their newsletter, they claimed Soleas was unable to answer this question but promised he would provide a list of people with access and a description of data protection measures the University would be taking.
“Queen’s administrators having access to user prompts would have serious implications for labour relations, so we look forward to seeing a clarification of these questions soon,” QCAA wrote in the newsletter.
The Journal reached out to QCAA to ask if they were ever provided with a list, and if any of their concerns persist, but didn’t receive a response in time for
Tags
AI Interface, LibreChat, Queen's
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.