Artificial Intelligence

🌿 How We Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Responsibly — in the Maryland Pollinator Atlas

As part of our ongoing efforts to make native plant gardening more accessible, accurate, and inspiring for Marylanders, the Maryland Pollinator Atlas incorporates the thoughtful use of AI tools to support content creation, visual design, and multilingual access. Each use of AI is guided by firm guardrails and human verification to ensure alignment with the University of Maryland Extension (UME) commitment to science-based, fact-checked information.

Below are the main ways AI tools have been used, along with the corresponding guardrails and verification processes:

🧠 1. Excel Macros & Garden Template Tools

Tool Used: ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Application: Assisted in writing and debugging Microsoft Excel VBA macros, including the Meadow Builder tool.

Guardrail:

✅ All outputs are visually inspected and verified by Master Gardeners for plant counts, layout accuracy, and ecological appropriateness.

🎨 2. Visual Templates and Illustrations

Tool Used: Microsoft Designer (AI image generator)

Application: Used to create illustrative graphics, such as birds and insects, for use in garden templates and educational materials.

Guardrail:

✅ All species depicted are cross-referenced with authoritative sources, such as the Audubon Society, to ensure visual accuracy and correct identification.

🐛 3. Descriptions and Featured Species Lists

Tool Used: ChatGPT-3.5

Application: Drafted garden descriptions and suggested feature insects or birds for certain templates.

Guardrail:

✅ Every suggestion must align with documented native species and verified ecological dependencies, and is reviewed by Master Gardeners.

🌸 4. Plant Combinations for AI-Inspired Gardens

Tool Used: ChatGPT-3.5

Application: Provided suggested plant combinations tailored to different garden conditions (e.g., soil, sun, region).

Guardrail:

✅ All suggestions are vetted by trained Master Gardeners using authoritative native plant data before inclusion.

🌍 5. Multilingual Access and Translations

Tool Used: Google Translate

Application: Used to provide multilingual links on the website and translate individual phrases in language-specific templates.

Guardrail:

✅ The same translation service is used across UME and other university websites.

✅ Individual phrases in printed or downloadable materials can be revised by native speakers to improve cultural and linguistic accuracy.

🏡 6. Regional Cottage Garden & Mascot Artwork

Tool Used: ChatGPT-3.5 and Microsoft Designer

Application: Assisted in crafting regionally inspired cottage garden layouts and designing visual elements like the Pollinator Atlas mascot crab.

Guardrail:

✅ Every plant used in these designs is linked to the composite list of vetted native plants, and reviewed by subject matter experts for accuracy and educational value.

🔍 Our Commitment

We believe that emerging tools like AI can enhance creativity and efficiency—but only when anchored in careful review and guided by science. Every component of the Maryland Pollinator Atlas continues to be built on the values of education, stewardship, and ecological integrity.

If you have questions about our process or want to learn more about how we develop our templates and tools, we invite you to explore or contact us.

As a referance, please also refer to the University of Maryland's AI Policy.