Artificial Intelligence

When using AI tools in your learning, here are some suggestions for ethical and responsible ways to do so. This helps avoid academic misconduct violations and within your future work.

Before using an AI tool for your coursework: Have a conversation with your instructor with regards to AI use on your assignments and research. If you are unsure whether use of a specific tool or using AI tools in general is allowed in your course, reach out to your instructor. Having conversations early is the best way to avoid confusion.

Explore AI software and tools to understand what they can and cannot do, especially with topics you already know a lot about. Take the time to critically analyze their response. AI often lacks the critical thinking skills needed to complete your assignments.  

Here are some ways students have been using AI tools in their coursework: 

• asking for comments and feedback on their assignments and papers 
• preparing for debates by looking at counter-debate arguments
• further explanation on topics they found confusing when they came up in class or in assignments. 

Critically thinking about the responses the AI tool gives you is extremely important. Because it is not easy to see where this information is coming from, there is a risk the information is incorrect or is spreading misinformation about a topic. This is sometimes hard to spot because tools like ChatGPT may answer in a manner that seems authoritative and will have a certain feel of "truthiness" when reading the answer, as explained in the article OpenAI Chatbot so good it can fool humans, even when it's wrong.

Take, for instance, this answer from popular AI tool, Chat GPT: 

This is incorrect. The website for the city of Jacksonville's water supplier, JEA, says, "JEA does not and has never added fluoride to our drinking water." So currently, the city does not add fluoride to the water supply. This answer is easily found on the JEA website. 

When using AI tools, the answer may be factually correct but still bad advice. As an example, this article describes how, when asked to create an Ottawa travel guide, the AI suggested the food bank as a restaurant to visit. The article continues on to describe how factually correct, but questionable advice, has been a common feature seen when asking generative AI tools questions about travel. Did you know that you can actually correct ChatGPT or ask for clarification on its response? Please see the article That's not right: How to tell ChatGPT when it's wrong for examples of how to interact with ChatGPT when you think the response is incorrect.

Here is the statement regarding AI that appears in each UMGC class syllabus. It's a helpful guide for students in your use of AI for classwork. 

In keeping with our mission to prepare learners for careers and life after college, UMGC embraces the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of that future. The efficient, effective, and ethical use of artificial intelligence tools to assist learning can prepare you for your career, especially tasks involving the top abilities that employers are seeking: problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and analysis. But, while using AI in some stages of your assignments will help to prepare you for your job, your use must also reflect the ethical requirements of your chosen profession and UMGC’s Academic Integrity policy.
 
Within the context of professional ethics and academic integrity, the University generally permits the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools, like ChatGPT, for tasks such as generating ideas, brainstorming, finding background information, clarifying research questions, and improving one’s grasp of coding or math concepts. These and other uses of artificial intelligence (AI) tools are acceptable as long as they align with an assignment's requirements and its intended learning goals. In addition, any AI content a student submits as part of an assignment should include citation or other forms of attribution. To assist you, student resources on proper use and attribution of AI tools to support learning can be found [in the UMGC Library's AI guide].

The passage below is a direct quotation from the following excellent publication:

Elon University & American Association of Colleges and Universities. (2024). AI-U: Fall 2024 1.0: A student guide to navigating college in the artificial intelligence era. https://studentguidetoai.org/

That publication is licensed by Elon University under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-NC license.

7 Core Principles

Here are some guiding ideas to keep in mind as you navigate college in the era of artificial intelligence.

1. Know and follow your school’s rules

Your institution, its departments and individual faculty members have established AI policies and expectations designed to optimize your learning and growth. Understand these policies and be aware that they may change over time. If you’re uncertain, ask questions.

2. Learn about AI

Everyone’s future professional and personal success will be influenced by AI systems. Learn how they work. Understand their strengths and weaknesses. Ask questions, be curious, try things, share what you know and learn from others. 

3. Do the right thing

Learn to use AI ethically. Ensure that the work you submit is truly your own. Properly disclose and cite how you use AI-generated content. Deepen your critical thinking skills and ability to evaluate AI-generated content and spot false information, biases and fake images, video and audio. 

4. Think beyond your major

AI brings together knowledge from all disciplines. Develop a multidisciplinary mindset and explore classes in a wide range of subjects. Develop strong skills in using, analyzing and communicating about data and consider getting certifications related to AI.

5. Commit to lifelong learning

We are only at the beginning of the AI revolution. New tools and AI uses will continually emerge. Always be on the lookout for what’s next. Work collaboratively with your peers and mentors. Adopt a lifelong learning mindset.

6. Prioritize privacy and security

Always remember that AI systems are not private; you have limited or no control over how your data will be used. Use only reputable platforms, understand the terms of service and share as little information as possible about yourself or others.

7. Cultivate your human abilities

Deepen your empathy and social skills. Stay focused on building strong relationships and thriving in the non-digital world. Exercise your apps-free creativity. Keep your unique human talents sharp in an environment filled with AI interactions.

(Elon University & American Association of Colleges and Universities, 2024)

The passage below is a direct quotation from the following excellent publication:

Elon University & American Association of Colleges and Universities. (2024). AI-U: Fall 2024 1.0: A student guide to navigating college in the artificial intelligence era. https://studentguidetoai.org/

That publication is licensed by Elon University under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY-NC license.

FAQ

How will AI change how we learn in the classroom in the future?

While the role of teachers and mentors will remain central in fostering critical thinking, creativity and student development, many believe AI can be an asset for classroom learning. AI can create custom curricula and tutoring plans designed for individual students’ needs and pace. These tools can also help identify students who need additional support or enrichment. AI can provide fast feedback on assignments, freeing up time for professors to focus on higher-level instruction and one-on-one interactions with students. Specialized AI tools may change instruction methods in math and science labs and enable simulations in many different disciplines.   

Where is the line between using AI to generate ideas and cheating?

The line depends on how AI is used and the rules set by faculty members. Generally, using AI to brainstorm or explore concepts isn’t cheating if a student uses those ideas to inspire their original work. Submitting AI-generated content as one’s own work without significant modification and proper attribution of sources is cheating. Be honest and open. Disclose AI use as required and be ready to demonstrate your own understanding and skills. If you are unsure about the guidelines on acceptable AI use, ask questions. The goal of education is learning. You should use AI as a tool to enhance your understanding and skills, not to bypass or shortcut the learning process.

What will the speed of change in AI be like going forward – will it alter everything?

Most experts predict the rate of AI development will remain high. Expect to see continued improvements in language models, new ways to interact with AI by voice and video, and AI systems customized for specific applications. Major advances are expected in healthcare, education, scientific research, business operations and more. However, AI may not “change everything” in the next few years. The speed of public adoption of AI, the cost of creating new AI systems, government regulation and business factors will influence the rate of AI’s evolution.

What types of jobs are most at risk of being automated by AI?

Jobs most at risk of AI automation tend to be those involving routine tasks, such as data entry, basic administrative work and customer service. Many aspects of bookkeeping, accounting and financial analysis will be impacted by AI. Repetitive assembly line jobs continue to be at risk. Other fields that may face disruption include basic legal work (document review, contract analysis), journalism and creative work like graphic design and content creation. As AI advances, the landscape of jobs will evolve. While some jobs change or are eliminated, new ones will emerge. People who adapt to AI will be best positioned to succeed in their careers.

If we rely on AI for everything, will that diminish our critical thinking and creative skills?

Overreliance on AI could diminish your critical thinking and creativity, but it’s not an inevitable outcome. The key lies in how you integrate AI into your life and your education. AI can handle routine tasks and provide quick information, allowing you to focus on developing higher-order intellectual skills. However, if you use AI as a crutch rather than as a tool, your ability to use your own critical thinking and creative skills may decline. Think of the old adage “use it or lose it.” Consider AI as an assistant rather than a shortcut. Prioritize your own, original thinking, hands-on problem-solving and creative expression.

(Elon University & American Association of Colleges and Universities, 2024)

This guide was created by Julie Harding and Robert Miller, UMGC Library. 

Parts of this guide are adapted (with changes) or reused from a guide created by Bronte Chiang at the University of Calgary. The University of Calgary guide is under a Creative Common Attribution 4.0 International License. 

References on this page:

Bass, D. (2022). OpenAI chatbot so good it can fool humans, Even when it’s wrong. Bloomberg.Com.

Elon University & American Association of Colleges and Universities. (2024). AI-U: Fall 2024 1.0: A student guide to navigating college in the artificial intelligence era. https://studentguidetoai.org/

JEA. (2023). Water consituents.

Morris, C. (2023, August 17). Microsoft travel article, seemingly written by AI, suggests vacationers dine at a food bank. Fast Company. 

Whitney, L. (2023, May 15). That's not right: how to tell ChatGPT when it's wrong. PC Magazine.