Dos and Don'ts of Generative AI Use
Do:
✔ Do follow guidance on appropriate AI use for academic assessments
✔ Do follow guidance regarding how to reference and/or acknowledge appropriate use of GenAI tools in your assessments. Ensure you understand the specific rules of your school or course regarding AI use. If in doubt, consult your tutor.
✔ Do verify AI-generated facts, statistics and data using reputable sources. Always cross-check AI-generated content with trusted sources, as AI can generate incorrect or fabricated information.
✔ Do read AI tool privacy policies and understand data usage implications and how content you submit will be used in the future.
✔ Do use AI to refine understanding, brainstorm ideas, and structure study sessions.
✔ Do engage critically with AI outputs and acknowledge AI use transparently in academic work. If you use AI in your work, clearly indicate how it was used. This includes citing the AI tools used, explaining what the AI was used for, and sharing prompts and any outputs generated to ensure transparency.
✔ Do use GenAI to gain an insight and understanding into different perspectives and ideas.
✔ Do use GenAI to break tasks down into more manageable chunks.
✔ Do assume that any data you contribute to a GenAI tool will be used as part of its training base.
✔ Do remember that you’re at university to develop your subject knowledge and gain a wide range of academic skills; this cannot be achieved by outsourcing your activities to GenAI.
✔ Do use AI to support your learning. AI can aid your understanding of complex topics, clarify concepts, generate ideas, and help organise your study materials. See the Study Prompts section of this guide for examples of prompts to try.
✔ Do develop your critical thinking. Engage critically with AI outputs by evaluating their reliability and appropriateness for your studies.
✔ Do use AI ethically. Apply AI as a tool for enhancing your skills rather than as a substitute for your own work.