Syllabus and Policies Language
Generative AI
Arizona State University seeks to balance the promise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to improve learning outcomes with the need for academic integrity, rigor and transparency. Students are engaging with generative AI tools, and classroom uses of generative AI are rapidly evolving. Each class may have unique needs. It is essential that instructors provide transparent information in their syllabi and, when appropriate, assignment instructions about expected student usage of generative AI tools and how this aligns with course goals and values.
This resource includes examples of language policy as well as considerations for use of AI to help faculty set expectations for the ethical and appropriate use of generative AI in their classes.
| Table of Contents Generative AI Use Considerations for Students Sample Syllabi Statements for Use of Generative AI Key Resources |
Generative AI Use Considerations for Students
Below are examples of considerations instructors can provide to students regarding the use of generative AI technologies.
Considerations for Generative AI Limitations
Be aware that ChatGPT and generative AI technologies have limits.
- If you provide minimum effort prompts, you will get low-quality results. You will need to refine your prompts in order to get good outcomes. This will take work.
- Don't trust anything it says. If it gives you a number or fact, assume it is wrong unless you either know the answer or can check in with another source. You will be responsible for any errors or omissions provided by the tool. It works best for topics you understand.
- You are responsible for fact-checking the accuracy and authenticity of sources cited. You can find guidance on citing sources at the ASU Library website. Failure to do so is in violation of academic integrity policies.
- Al is a tool, but one that you need to acknowledge using. Please include a paragraph at the end of any assignment that uses Al explaining what you used the Al for and what prompts you used to get the results. Failure to do so is in violation of academic integrity policies.
- Be thoughtful about when this tool is useful. Don't use it if it isn't appropriate for the case or circumstance.
Privacy Considerations for Generative AI
The information you enter in prompts is retained by some generative AI programs.
- Don’t share personal information in the prompts.
- Be aware that you are logged in under your ASU affiliated account and follow all technology use guidelines and expectations for information security.
- Adhere to all FERPA laws and expectations of student privacy.
- Don’t accidentally disclose or share code or other information sensitive to ASU research or operations.
Sample Syllabi Statements for Use of Generative AI
Sample syllabi statements from ASU are provided below for three distinct approaches to generative AI. Should you need additional inspiration, faculty from institutions across the country have contributed samples of language from their syllabi to an open resource guide on AI Generative Tools Classroom Policy Building.
Generative AI Use is Generally Permitted Within Guidelines
ASU Provost Recommended Language
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including tools like ChatGPT, are being used in workplaces all over the world to save time and improve outcomes by generating text, images, computer code, audio, or other media. Use of AI tools is generally welcome and even encouraged <note: this could say “required” in some instances> in this class with attribution aligned with disciplinary guidelines. AI tools might be employed to brainstorm, draft, edit, revise, etc. I will provide examples of how to properly cite use. Any submitted course assignment not explicitly identified as having used generative AI will be assumed to be your original work. Using AI tools to generate content without proper attribution will be considered a violation of the ASU Academic Integrity Policy, and students may be sanctioned for confirmed, non-allowable use. If at any point you have questions about what is permitted, contact the instructor to discuss before submitting work.
Example Language from ASU Faculty
I expect you to use AI (ChatGPT and image generation tools, at a minimum), in this class. In fact, some assignments will require it. Learning to use AI is an emerging skill, and I provide tutorials in Canvas about how to use them. I am happy to meet and help with these tools during office hours or after class.
Generative AI Use is Circumstantially Permitted With Explicit Permission Only
ASU Provost Recommended Language
Some assignments in this course may include or allow use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including ChatGPT or related tools for the creation of text, images, computer code, audio, or other media. The instructor will inform you when, where and how you may use these tools, and provide guidance for attribution. Use of generative AI tools in any other context in this course will be considered a violation of the ASU Academic Integrity Policy, and students may be sanctioned for confirmed, non-allowable use. If at any point you have questions about what is permitted, contact the instructor to discuss before submitting work.
Example Language from ASU Faculty
Students are expected to know and understand each instructor’s rules and guidelines for the allowable and non—allowable uses of generative AI. Because individual courses will vary substantially in their use of generative AI, students must diligently review each course syllabus and assignment instructions to ensure they are in compliance with the instructor's expectations.The non-allowable use of generative is considered academic dishonesty and a violation of the ASU academic integrity policy.
Generative AI Use Not Permitted
ASU Provost Recommended Language
In this course, all assignments must be completed by the student. Artificial Intelligence (AI), including ChatGPT and other related tools used for creating of text, images, computer code, audio, or other media, are not permitted for use in any work in this class. Use of these generative AI tools will be considered a violation of the ASU Academic Integrity Policy, and students may be sanctioned for confirmed, non-allowable use in this course.
Example Language from ASU Faculty
The use of AI tools without proper citation is deemed to be in violation of Academic Integrity. According to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The use of generative AI tools and technologies to create content is permitted but must be fully disclosed in the Work. For example, the authors could include the following statement in the Acknowledgements section of the Work: ChatGPT was utilized to generate sections of this Work, including text, tables, graphs, code, data, citations, etc.). If you are uncertain about the need to disclose the use of a particular tool, err on the side of caution, and include a disclosure in the acknowledgments section of the work.
Resources
Arizona State University’s Office of the Provost has created a specialized website to provide the ASU community with resources that help address both the challenges and opportunities posed by generative AI inside and outside the classroom. Additional resources are currently in development by this office.