Basic principles of using Gen AI

There are a number of ethical considerations when using generative AI in academic learning and research. All academic work must be ethical, effective, and maintain critical thinking. The use of this tool outside of academic work is a personal choice, but in universities and workplaces, the following principles serve as a guide.

The key to understanding the ethical issues of Generative AI models lies in the name: generative, from 'to generate', means 'to create', so the generative AI model must create something new every time it is used. This means that the content written by the generative AI is never the original work of the student or staff, and simple copying and pasting can lead to a plagiarism investigation.

Make sure the final finished product is yours

1. Make sure your work is not copied and pasted from an AI-generated tool
2. Use your own style and voice.
3. Simply paraphrasing AI-generated content is not enough to claim it as your own work!
4. You still have to apply your own critical thinking and logical reasoning to write the review and most importantly, ensure your studies as well as your work.
5. Copying and pasting AI-generated content can lead to plagiarism.
6. This may also be true when AI-generated tools are used to read manuscripts, check spelling, and check grammar.

Quick check everything

It is important to check the information you receive. Be aware of the limitations of generative AI, including that AI-generated content may not be up-to-date, that AI-generated content may be inaccurate, and that it has limited ability to provide a reliable source for the information it generates.

Follow specific AI advice

1. Ensure the use of Gen AI follows the guidelines provided for the specific course, unit and assessment.
2. Follow your instructor's instructions exactly and use the generative AI tools in your unit's assessment process.
3. If you are permitted to use generative AI tools, ensure that any use of generative AI is cited and acknowledged in accordance with your unit or organization's policies and guidelines.

Track Gen AI usage

1. Keep track throughout the assignment of ways you've used AI to generate
2. Save a copy of each step to create a shareable record with instructors to facilitate conversations about your work.
   1. Save copies of previous drafts before and after interacting with the generative AI
   2. Summarize your interactions with the generative AI (prompts, summary responses) in a table
   3. Fully reference any AI-generated information

Beware of bias

1. AI tools can align with commercial goals or political biases
2. Always apply critical thinking: analyze and contextualize AI output and fact-check any information it gives you.
3. Form your own opinion, information from AI is for reference only.

Marvin Fry

Update 06 June 2025