Artificial Intelligence Academic Course Policies

Guiding Statement, Academic Integrity & Sample Syllabi Statements

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technology evolve, Thomas College has put academic course policies in place to ensure academic honesty and ethical learning.

The College’s position on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is that, as with all new technologies, we seek ways to use and adapt AI in our classrooms most effectively to prepare students to employ technology appropriately, with awareness of its benefits and limitations, in their professional careers.

Recommendations

  • Academic Integrity: The use of AI in an educational environment is governed by the College’s Academic Integrity Policy, which states that “Unauthorized and/or undocumented use of Artificial Intelligence tools (AI) to complete or contribute to course work. When any doubt exists about whether AI use is authorized for any assignment or course contribution, students are expected to confirm and document any and all uses of AI with the course instructor prior to submitting the work for assessment.” In this regard, it is important for faculty to provide clear guidance for students on their syllabi on their expectations for how and when AI is allowed to be used in their course.  Faculty Focus provides an excellent example focused on education with Essential Considerations for Addressing the Possibility of AI-Driven Cheating.
  • Syllabi Statements: As with other technology tools supporting academic work, the use of generative AI should be cited when that use is allowed by an instructor on a given assignment. Syllabi statements regarding AI use should contain components making clear the instructors’ criteria and standards. Components may include the specific use of AI in terms of type and amount of use within an assignment as well as on what types of assignments it is permitted. Transparency of use should be emphasized.

The University of Kentucky’s UK Advance offers some excellent advice on course policies in their Spring 2024 Guidelines and Recommendations for Generative AI in Instructional Contexts.

Examples of Syllabi Statements

For Unlimited Use:

In this course you may use Generative-AI (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) to support your work. As with any other source that is used, be sure to cite appropriately and accurately. Given that each result generated from these technologies is unique, please keep a copy of your AI session along with the date of the session. For further information about Academic Honesty, refer to the Thomas College Student Handbook (p. 23).

How to Cite ChatGPT
For Approved Use:

Generative-AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) may be used in this course with pre-approval by the instructor. Such approval may be included in the directions for an assignment or by specifically asking for approval when it is not explicitly stated whether or not such tools may be used. Note that limitations may be placed on the extent of use or when in a process these tools can be used. As with any other source that is used, be sure to cite appropriately and accurately. Given that each result generated from these technologies is unique, please keep a copy of your AI session along with the date of the session. For further information about Academic Integrity, refer to the Thomas College Student Handbook (p. 23).

Limited Usage with Disclosure Statement:

Cautious Use of Online “Study Guides” or Similar Sources, or of AI Is Allowed

Use of online study guides or other sources is allowed in this course, as is the use of AI systems to develop ideas for your own work. However, these types of resources are valuable ONLY to the extent that they help you understand the assigned work. Study guides may contain erroneous or questionable content, and encyclopedia entries or blog posts on controversial subjects may contain only one of several possible views on the topic.

Any information, wording, or ideas you obtain from study guides, internet sources (e.g., Wikipedia, Stack Exchange, online encyclopedias, influencer blogs, etc.) and AI sessions MUST be clearly identified and attributed to the sources. If not attributed, you may have may have violated the College’s Academic Honesty policy. If the instructor suspects you of misusing study guides, AI or AI tools, you may be given an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge on the subject using additional mechanisms selected by the instructor. Instructors may wish to use the flow chart Evaluating for AI.

Citing Study Guides, Encyclopedias, Wikis, and AI sessions

If you use in your submitted work an idea, observation, or interpretation obtained from a study guide, you must cite it (MLA or APA format).

If you reference ideas or use wording obtained from an encyclopedia, wiki, or AI source, treat it as you would treat any reference or quote: provide the AI source and date of the session in which you obtained the information. Keep a copy of your session with the AI system in case you are asked to show your source of information.

For Restriction of All Use:

Use of ChatGPT or other Generative-AI software is not permitted in this course.

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