Academic Writing

Academic Writing - Using AI with Academic Integrity

Artificial intelligence (AI) encompasses computer systems designed to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These technologies are prevalent in various everyday activities. Additionally, generative AI can produce new content, such as poetry, programming code, or artwork, traditionally associated with human creativity.

In university contexts, AI can help you generate ideas, respond to queries, or find information about specific topics. In this context, it’s crucial to comprehend how to utilise these tools responsibly and ethically, while also recognising situations where AI usage may not be appropriate. Understanding the risks and constraints associated with these technologies is essential.

Several aspects make AI an unreliable tool. Understanding what aspects may get you into trouble is important to acknowledge how to use AI critically.

Graphic depicting AI with four key concerns: Accuracy, Bias, Privacy, and Intellectual Property. Each concern is explained in a text box: Accuracy - 'AI looks for information that is considered pertinent using algorithms, without considering ethics, consequences, or precision.' Bias - 'AI respond to prompts that may extract data out of context or present it inappropriately.' Privacy - 'AI tools such as ChatGPT utilize your content for machine training purposes. As a consequence, this can lack confidentiality and security measures.' Intellectual Property - 'AI systems access content from various online sources, raising concerns about potential intellectual property infringement and plagiarism.

So, how do we maintain academic integrity?

These are some of the tips you may want to follow:

  • Always write your work, hopefully using your own words. Paraphrase when needed.
  • Make sure you submit the final version of the assessment.
  • Always quote and cite when you are using work that is not your own.
  • If you are using data from a study or research, always cite appropriately. If you copy and paste, this will count as plagiarism.
  • Do not use previously submitted assignments completed by other students.
  • If you are working in teams, work on your part and never let the rest of the group complete your work.

Recommendations and prohibitions in academic integrity

Compliance with academic integrity is essential for upholding the values of scholarship, promoting personal and academic growth, maintaining credibility and fairness, and avoiding negative consequences for oneself and others. Have a look at the following table that provides recommendations and prohibitions on academic integrity.

Graphic depicting AI with four key concerns: Accuracy, Bias, Privacy, and Intellectual Property. Each concern is explained in a text box: Accuracy - 'AI looks for information that is considered pertinent using algorithms, without considering ethics, consequences, or precision.' Bias - 'AI respond to prompts that may extract data out of context or present it inappropriately.' Privacy - 'AI tools such as ChatGPT utilize your content for machine training purposes. As a consequence, this can lack confidentiality and security measures.' Intellectual Property - 'AI systems access content from various online sources, raising concerns about potential intellectual property infringement and plagiarism.

ChatGPT useful links

Select the following links if you would like to know about how to use ChatGPT responsibly: