I built a website/app using AI tools. Can I host it with HWP?

Possibly, but not by uploading the AI-generated site files as-is. Harvard Web Publishing’s managed platforms are designed for websites built in HarvardSites Drupal or HarvardSites WordPress, not for hosting exported AI-generated HTML, CSS, JavaScript, custom apps, generated themes, or unsupported code.

That said, we’d be glad to review what the AI tool created. 

We can use the AI-generated site as a prototype, design reference, or content starting point and help determine whether it can be adapted into HarvardSites Drupal using approved Design System patterns, components, and platform features. 

The final HarvardSites version may not be a pixel-for-pixel copy, but the goal is to preserve the useful parts of the concept while making sure the site is maintainable, accessible, secure, and aligned with Harvard standards. 

What HWP can help with

We can help you:

  1. Review the AI-generated site or prototype to understand the goals, audience, structure, and features.
  2. Map the design to HarvardSites Drupal components, such as pages, cards, lists, people profiles, news, events, publications, resources, FAQs, and layout components. 
  3. Identify what can be rebuilt in Drupal and what may need to change because of accessibility, security, branding, content governance, or platform constraints.
  4. Recommend the right HarvardSites platform based on the site’s needs. HarvardSites Drupal is intended for Schools, departments, centers, initiatives, and academic profile sites; WordPress may be a better fit for smaller sites such as blogs, event landing pages, or individual academic profiles.
  5. Connect you with the appropriate School or Unit website request process, since the process for requesting a site varies by School or Unit.

What HWP can’t host or support as-is

We are unable to upload and host an AI-generated website export as a live HarvardSites Drupal site. This includes static site bundles, custom codebases, custom themes, unsupported scripts, generated templates, or applications that require their own build process, database, server configuration, plugin system, or ongoing code maintenance.

HWP also does not provide ongoing development or maintenance for custom applications. If a project requires capabilities beyond what HarvardSites can support, an approved custom Drupal or WordPress site may be considered through the appropriate School or Unit governance process. 

For approved custom projects, HWP’s Pantheon agreement covers managed hosting only; it does not include application development, customization, content management, or ongoing support for the custom application.

Before the site can be published

Any AI-generated content, images, files, or design recommendations must be reviewed by the site owner before they’re published. Harvard’s generative AI guidelines note that AI-generated content can be inaccurate, misleading, fabricated, or contain copyrighted material, and that you’re responsible for content you publish or share. 

The guidelines also state that confidential data, including Level 2 and above data, should not be entered into publicly available generative AI tools unless the tool has been assessed and approved for that use by Harvard.

The site must also meet Harvard’s accessibility requirements. HarvardSites themes and components are designed with accessibility in mind, but site owners remain responsible for the accessibility of their content, including page structure, link text, images, documents, and media.

How to get started

Please share the AI-generated site (via the helpdesk, ithelp@harvard.edu), prototype, screenshots, or exported files with your School or Unit website contact, along with a short description of:

  • the purpose of the site,
  • the intended audience,
  • the pages or sections you need,
  • any special functionality, such as directories, events, publications, forms, search, filtering, restricted access, or external integrations,
  • who will own and maintain the content after launch.

From there, HWP and your School or Unit can help determine whether the site should be rebuilt in HarvardSites Drupal or evaluated through an approved custom hosting path.