General principles for Use of GenAI in Your Learning

Use of generative AI in your learning and study process should be ethical, productive, and uphold critical thinking. Below are some general principles to consider when using GenAI in your studies.

Ensure your use of GenAI follows the guidelines given for the particular programme, module and/or assessment.

• Follow lecturer/module coordinator guidance on exactly what and how GenAI tools can be used completing course work and assessments in each module.
• Ensure that any use of generative AI has been cited and acknowledged according to UCD Library guidelines.
• Use of GenAI in a way that is not consistent with university policies and guidelines can result in a finding of academic misconduct.

Keep track throughout of the ways you have used GenAI.

• Save copies of each step to create a record that can be shared with instructors to facilitate respectful conversations about your work. For example, keep copies of your previous drafts before and after interacting with GenAI.

Ensure that your final work is your own and is not copy and pasted from a GenAI tool.

• Your own style and voice should be evident.
• Simply rephrasing AI-generated content is not enough for it to be considered your own work! You must still apply your own critical thinking and logical reasoning to write assignments and, most importantly, ensure learning.
• Exercise critical thinking and disciplinary expertise when considering AI-generated information.
• It is important to fact-check the information you receive. Note the limitations of generative AI  including that content generated by AI may not be up to date, content generated by AI may not be accurate, and its limited ability to provide a reliable source for the information it outputs.

Be wary of biases in the GenAI tool you are using.

• AI tools may align with commercial objectives or political prejudices.
• Apply critical thinking at all times: analyse and contextualise GenAI’s outputs, and cross-verify any information GenAI gives you.
• Form your own perspective.

Attribution: University of Sydney Welcome to AI in Education 2023 licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 licence