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Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI

Find resources on artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, AI academic productivity tools, plagiarism, prompt engineering, GPT misinformation and hallucinations, AI image tools, AI literacy, and discussions related to ethics.

Suggested OBU Syllabi Statements

 

Possible Artificial Intelligence Syllabus Statements

We highly recommend including a statement on AI use (or non-use). Here are two generic examples. Please feel free to use or to adapt to your needs:

1. The development of generative AI, e.g., ChatGPT, introduces a powerful technological tool. Like most new technologies, such tools may be used for good or ill. Until we have more opportunity to determine appropriate uses for this tool, I will consider using AI for any element of academic work in this course to be a violation of the Covenant on Academic Honor. This may be modified as we discuss possible appropriate uses of this tool throughout the semester.

2. The development of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, along with premium Grammarly services, introduces a powerful technological tool. Like most new technologies, these tools can be used for both positive and negative purposes. The benefit and purpose of academic work lie in the PROCESS, not merely in the PRODUCT. Until we have more opportunities to determine appropriate uses for this tool, I will view the use of AI for any aspect of academic work in this course as a violation of the Covenant on Academic Honor. This includes using these tools to create a framework for a written assignment and then inserting your own content from your course materials. Written work will be regularly reviewed, and if A.I. is detected, students will receive a score of 0. After two instances of academic dishonesty, students will be referred to the Dean of Students. After three violations, students will automatically fail the course.

AI Use as Instructed Sample Statement:

Some assignments in this course will include student use of AI tools. Those assignments will explain what is allowed, required, and what is not allowed. All uses of AI NOT specifically assigned will be considered violations of OBU’s Covenant on Academic Honor

General Considerations on Creating AI Syllabus Statements

Consider discussing your expectations regarding AI tools, including text generators, and possibly decide on a policy with your class. Some policies/statements to consider, especially if you want to include language on your syllabus:

When looking at student work, consider the following:

  • Repetitive answers: ChatGPT can answer the same question in different ways, but often not very different; similar answers from several different students may mean they are using AI-generated content.
  • Fluffy verbosity: AI tools tend to use filler language.
  • Overly biased toward neutrality: It provides factual (or at least factual-sounding) answers but refrains from offering opinions or judgments.
  • "Factual sounding" answers: These answers often are, in fact, counter to fact.
  • Fake citations: For an example of false facts, it can fabricate citations, such as using a real author's name and a real journal title, but an AI writing tool will make up a title of an article the author plausibly could have written but never actually wrote.

Practical AI for Students

Syllabus Statements from Other Schools