Using AI responsibly
Is it cheating to use AI tools?
It depends. There are ways to use AI ethically, but there are other ways of using AI that are considered cheating, plagiarism, or fabrication and would be a violation of UMW’s Honor System. AI tools should be used only with the explicit and clear permission of each individual instructor, and then only in the ways allowed by the instructor. Certain assignments may encourage or require the use of AI tools, and other assignments may require you not to use them. Students should reference the course syllabus as well as individual assignment instructions for details regarding AI use in the course and/or on individual assignments. If a student has questions or is unsure about AI use in a specific course, they should consult with the instructor prior to submitting the assignment.
Understand the limitations of AI tools.
AI tools can be incredibly powerful, but they also have their limitations. The information generated by AI can be inaccurate or misleading; AI can fabricate research, generate a fake source, or not acknowledge authors for their work. This may ultimately weaken rather than enhance a student’s understanding of a topic. Students should be aware of errors that may arise and should double-check any output retrieved from AI tools, including citations to verify accuracy. Finally, students should be aware that AI tools can also perpetuate and even worsen biases based on existing biases in the data the tools are trained on.
Cite sources properly.
Just as it would be cheating to steal someone else’s ideas or analyses without citing the sources, using AI-generated knowledge or writing without citing is considered cheating as well. Students must ensure that they cite their AI sources properly. If the AI tool has been trained on a particular source, it is essential to credit that source in the paper. Currently, the APA style guide, MLA style guide, and Chicago Manual of Style include recommendations and examples for citing LLM-generated materials. Students should also consult with their instructors about how to cite AI-generated information if the instructor has allowed it to be used for the assignment.
Be transparent about the use of AI tools.
Be clear and open about the use of AI tools in all work. Being transparent about the use of AI tools will help your instructors evaluate your work. Citing the tool(s) using the links above, describing your workflow, and clearly documenting which AI tool was used and to what extent, are critical. Be sure to ask your instructor what they require as far as documentation of your use of AI tools.
Seek guidance from instructors.
Due to the variety of AI tools and applications, the ethical use of AI can vary by discipline, class, and even assignment. If a student is unsure whether the use of AI tools is appropriate for an assignment they are working on, they should always seek guidance from their instructor. The instructor can provide feedback on whether and how AI can be used for that assignment, what limitations the students should be aware of when using it, and what documentation and citations are required for its use.
