You’ve probably heard discussions around how certain kinds of artificial intelligence (AI) should or shouldn’t be used in coursework, and how it relates to academic integrity. There’s no one “right” approach that applies to all courses, so you need to know what each of your professors expects regarding the use of AI in their class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MATTERS 

WHAT COLBY AFFIRMS. You’ve almost certainly seen the “Colby Affirmation.” It sets forth how academic integrity and social accountability are cornerstones of a Colby education because they keep the quality of education as high as possible. 

That means that academic integrity is essential in providing you with knowledge, skills, and awareness that you’ll need for graduate study as well as for your career. If our academic integrity standards are low, there’s no way to ensure that you know what you need to succeed in whatever you pursue when you leave Colby. You owe it to yourself to learn as much as you can while you’re here.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS. We’re all part of a community here at Colby, and the hard work of professors, staff, and other students deserves the respect of our community. When you protect academic integrity, you respect the work, talent, and dedication of others who educate Colby students, as well as those who came to Colby to receive a world-class education. Academic integrity helps foster a climate of trust. What’s more, academic integrity gives your future employer, coworkers, and clients a truly skilled professional (yes, that’s you!).

AI AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

AI IS A TOOL. Like any tool, there are reasons to use generative AI. Your professors will decide if it’s a tool that will help you acheive the goals of a particular assignment. If a professor allows you to use generative AI, think critically about what it, as a tool, allows you to do and to learn.  

But like all tools, generative AI might not help your learning in every assignment. If the tool does your work for you, or prevents you from practicing skills that you need for your future, then using it is not consistent with academic integrity.

AI ISN’T PERFECT. Professors have to weigh the potential benefits of allowing students to use AI against any potential drawbacks. Some professors are skeptical about students using AI because copyright issues exist concerning the data on which AI has been trained, there are questions about a lack of diversity in the data being used in generative AI, and AI requires massive energy to run its applications (producing increased emissions in the process), just to name a few concerns.

So, if a professor restricts the use of generative AI or doesn’t allow it, that choice may well be a result of your professor’s commitment to educating you as ethically and responsibly as possible — another essential facet of academic integrity.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

REVIEW COURSE POLICIES. Many professors have created clearly articulated policies about AI use. So, check the syllabus for each of your courses for an AI policy. Also be sure to check the instructions for individual assignments, if any are provided, which might also contain guidelines for using or avoiding generative AI. 

If there is an AI use policy, read it carefully, and be sure to ask your professor any questions that you might have. Remember, you are responsible for your work’s academic integrity, so you need to be proactive and aware. 

If you do not find an AI use policy for a particular course, then you might consider asking your professor the following question during class time: “Are we allowed to use generative AI on our assignments?” Be prepared to ask follow-up questions, finding out which assignments may (or may not) be completed using generative AI, and what restrictions the professor places on using generative AI tools for that class.

EACH CLASS IS DIFFERENT. Be aware that the policies for one class are likely to be very different than policies for another, even if the courses are taught by the same professor. Why? Every course has distinct learning outcomes that professors want you to achieve. While the use of generative AI might further goals in one course, AI use might not help you develop the skills or knowledge bases that you need in another course.

So, do not assume that policies for any one course apply to any other course.

FURTHER RESOURCES 

International Center for Academic Integrity. The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021.

International Center for Academic Integrity. “Statement on Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence.”

University of Cambridge, “Why Does Academic Integrity Matter?”