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2. Ethical use of AI in academic work: what is acceptable and what is not.

As you begin using AI in your academic work, it’s important to follow your course-specific AI policies. These guidelines ensure AI supports your learning while upholding academic integrity. If you're unsure about acceptable AI use, ask your instructor for clarification to avoid unintentional misuse.

What Is Ethical AI Use?

Ethical AI use involves understanding how AI can support your academic work while maintaining academic integrity. Making informed decisions about AI starts with asking the right questions. The "A Decision Tree to Guide Student AI Use Links to an external site." provides a practical framework for evaluating your permissions, purpose, and transparency in using AI. Use this guide to help navigate AI use in your academic tasks, ensuring your choices align with both ethical practices and course expectations.

AI for Education: A Guide for Students: Should I Use AI? Flowchart. The visual begins with the question 'Why do you want to use an AI Chatbot?' and offers pathways based on purposes such as 'Help me get started on an assignment,' 'Help me improve on what I've already done,' 'Explain an idea in simpler terms or in a different way,' 'Help with my research and find facts, quotes, or resources,' and 'Fully complete an assignment for me.' Each pathway provides responses labeled YES, YES BUT, or NO, with detailed actions like asking teachers for approval, using appropriate AI tools responsibly, verifying with reliable sources, and citing AI use properly. The bottom includes a 'Key Vocabulary' section defining terms such as hallucination, bias, and citing AI, with concise explanations. The flowchart aims to guide students on ethical and effective AI use in academic work.

 

 

In addition, the SJSU Writing Center's AI Writer Toolbox Links to an external site. provides guidance on:

Best Practices for Ethical AI Use

To use AI responsibly in your academic work:

  • Prioritize developing your own skills and understanding.
  • Be transparent about your AI use with instructors.
  • Use AI to enhance your work, not replace your efforts.
  • Critically review and evaluate AI-generated content.
  • Cite AI tools when their use is permitted and significant.

Managing Varying AI Policies Across Courses

Each course may have different rules regarding AI use. Here’s how to adapt:

  • Stay Organized: Keep a quick reference list of AI policies for each course.
  • Be Flexible: Adjust your use of AI tools based on the requirements of each course.
  • Focus on Ethical Practices: Always prioritize transparency, proper citation, and critical evaluation of AI content.
  • Use Available Resources: Refer to the AI Writer Toolbox Links to an external site. for practical guidance on ethical AI use. 

Communicating with Faculty About AI Policies

If you have questions, concerns, or are unclear about any aspect of your course’s AI policies, it's important to reach out to your faculty. Open communication helps ensure you understand expectations and use AI responsibly in your academic work.

  • Ask Early: Review your syllabus and clarify AI policies with your instructor at the start of the term.
  • Be Specific: Mention tools you’re considering (e.g., Grammarly, ChatGPT) and how you plan to use them.
  • Seek Clarification: Ask for examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in assignments.
  • Document Guidance: Keep a record of any instructor clarifications for future reference.

For example, you could ask your instructor:

"I’ve been reviewing the syllabus and wanted to clarify the AI policy. Is it okay to use ChatGPT for brainstorming or Grammarly for proofreading? Could you share examples of what’s acceptable and what might not be?"