Student Guidelines on the use of Gen AI
SETU’s position is to:
- Create awareness around the possibilities and limitations of Gen AI and the risks associated with using it as a sole information source.
- Recognise the potential of Gen AI to enhance your learning experience.
- Stress the importance of submitting your own work rather than that generated by Gen AI.
- Highlight the requirement to declare or acknowledge where Gen AI has been used and be transparent about how you’ve used it.
- Emphasise the importance of transparency in promoting a culture of academic integrity in the university.
- Acknowledge the importance of preparing our graduates for a Gen AI-enhanced society.
Generative AI Risks and Limitations
- Gen AI tools use large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Bard, and they draw from vast amounts of data to predict which word should come next while generating text outputs. However, this can result in inaccurate information (or ‘hallucinations’) that sounds authentic, is confidently presented and is often referenced, but on closer inspection, the information can be false, and the references may not exist.
- Bias is another concern, as the information used by Gen AI may contain pre-existing biases including those related to race, culture, gender, etc. Outputs can also display bias towards certain opinions or political affiliations.
- While interactions with Gen AI can feel personal because of the conversational approach and the roles it can assume, privacy and data protection are significant concerns. No personal information or anything you want to remain private should be disclosed.
- AI has limitations in terms of the data it has access to, for instance it cannot access anything behind a paywall and may not be trained on the most current information.
- As a model that picks the highest probability path, this denies you the opportunity to consider less obvious approaches that could be more enriching to you.
Gen AI and Education
There are many possibilities for Gen AI to enhance your learning experience, but it is important not to engage in over-reliance or misuse. Gen AI can be regarded as a personal tutor or learning assistant rather than a mechanism to replace your efforts or your independent thinking. Your lecturers may have specific suggestions on potential uses of Gen AI in their modules and assignments. The following are general examples of how Gen AI might be used to improve your productivity and academic skills:- Explain or consolidate a concept you are not sure about
- Summarise or identify key points in large volumes of information
- Suggest improvements in your general writing skills
- Draw up a study plan, or generate flashcards or practice questions
- Suggest ideas for a research topic
- Act as a debate or discussion partner
- Presenting AI-generated or modified work as your own
- Not declaring or acknowledging the use of AI in the completion of coursework or assignments
- Relying on AI as a replacement for your understanding, opinions, or thinking
General Guidance
Your lecturer will clearly communicate whether and how Gen AI may be used for teaching, learning, and assessment on their module. Some assessments may explicitly ask you to work with AI tools and to analyse and critique the content it generates, others may specify that AI tools should not be used, or only used in specific ways.
It’s normal to be unsure of what is an ethical use of Gen AI and what is not. Gen AI is a very new development and things are changing all the time at a rapid pace. It is very important to talk to your lecturers and consult other SETU sources of help – if in doubt, ask and make sure that you follow the guidance given. If you are unsure if you can use Gen AI in a particular assessment, please check the assignment brief or discuss with your lecturer. If Gen AI is not approved for your assessment, you cannot use it for that assessment. If you do not follow this guidance, you may face penalties, related to a breach of Academic Integrity.
Acknowledging the use of AI
The preferred approach for acknowledging or declaring Gen AI usage will be clearly outlined by your lecturer. This may follow the standard referencing and bibliographic conventions e.g., Name of AI tool, your name, date you entered the prompt: OpenAI Chat GPT 4. 2023. Response to Mary Smith, 14 April.
Or it may involve completing a more detailed declaration form acknowledging Gen AI usage and evaluating the impact of Gen AI on your work. You may also be required to provide the prompts that you used with the Gen AI output alongside your own work to clearly show your original contribution. It is useful to keep versions of your document to show the history and development of your content. It is also important to be transparent about how many Gen AI tools were used to improve the quality of your content, writing or grammar; this includes externally available tools as well as tools integrated within the software that you use. Remember that any such use for an assignment needs to be approved in the assignment brief or by your lecturer.SETU’s Academic Integrity policy and Gen AI
As you navigate through your academic life using Gen AI, it is crucial to adhere to SETU’s Academic Integrity Policy. This helps you understand how to ethically use Gen AI in your work while maintaining the core values of acknowledgment and original contribution. By following these guidelines, you not only uphold SETU’s standards of academic integrity but also harness the potential of Gen AI in a responsible and transparent manner.Conclusion
- Gen AI can be useful, but it is not a replacement for your own work, opinions, or thoughts
- Never rely solely on Gen AI output
- Follow the instructions around Gen AI usage for each module, when in doubt clarify with your lecturer
- Transparency is vital to ensure a culture of fairness and integrity
Generative AI tools are now part of many students’ learning experiences. Depending on the assessment, AI use may be permitted, restricted, or prohibited. Where concerns arise regarding possible unauthorised use of AI, SETU follows its established Student Academic Misconduct Policy and Disciplinary Procedure.
This resource explains what to expect if a concern is raised about the use of AI in your work. It outlines the process followed by the University, your rights throughout the process, and the opportunities available to respond, seek support, and participate in the review.
This guide is intended to promote transparency and help you understand how concerns are managed. It does not replace University policies, but provides an accessible overview of the procedures that apply when concerns about unauthorised AI use arise.
Key Principles
The use of AI is not automatically academic misconduct.
Concerns are considered on a case-by-case basis.
You have the right to understand any concerns raised and respond to them.
Decisions are based on a holistic review of the available evidence.
AI detection scores alone are not sufficient evidence of academic misconduct.
SETU is committed to protecting academic integrity while ensuring fair, transparent, and supportive processes for all students.
What Happens If There Is a Concern About AI Use in My Assessment?
If your lecturer has a concern, there is a process to ensure fairness and give you the chance to respond.
A Concern is Raised
A lecturer believes there may be an issue with how an assessment was completed.
This does not mean misconduct has occurred.
You Will Be Invited To Discuss It
- Be told about the concern
- Have access to relevant evidence
- Have an opportunity to explain your work
- Be accompanied by a support person
Tell Your Story
You may be asked about:
- Your research and writing process
- Drafts, notes or other evidence of your work
- How AI tools were used (if at all)
- Questions on the submitted work
- How the assessment was produced
✔ No Misconduct Found
Matter closed. No further action.
🤝 Informal Resolution
An educational outcome is agreed.
• Advice
• Resubmission
• Mark adjustment
• Fail mark
⚖ Formal Investigation
The matter is referred to the SETU Complaints Resolution Office (CRO).
Formal Review
The University CRO reviews:
- The evidence
- Your explanation
- Relevant assessment requirements and policies
Stage 2 (If Required)
If the matter is serious or complex, it may proceed to a formal hearing by a Disciplinary Committee.
- You can present your case
- You may be accompanied by a support person
- Possible sanctions may include failure of module, suspension or expulsion
Outcome
You will receive a written outcome. Possible outcomes:
- No breach found
- Academic misconduct finding
- Sanction applied (if applicable)
ℹ️ IMPORTANT
The use of AI is not automatically academic misconduct. Academic misconduct occurs when AI or other assistance is used in a way that breaches assessment requirements, academic integrity expectations, or university regulations. You are entitled to understand concerns raised, review evidence, and respond before decisions are made.
🤝 NEED SUPPORT?
You can get advice and support from:
- SETU Student Support Services
- Your Students’ Union
- A trusted staff member