POLICIES


Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Academic Integrity and AI

  • Students must not use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, image generators, code assistants) to cheat, plagiarize, or misrepresent original work.
  • AI-generated content may only be submitted for assignments when explicitly permitted by the course instructor.
  • All AI-assisted work must include a disclosure statement detailing what tools were used and how.
  • Using AI to impersonate others or fabricate academic sources is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

Faculty and Staff Use of AI

  • Faculty may use AI tools to enhance teaching materials, research, and administrative efficiency, provided they maintain accuracy, transparency, and data privacy.
  • Staff must not input confidential student, employee, or donor data into public AI systems.
  • AI tools used in instruction must align with university values and promote critical thinking, not replacement of learning.

Ethical Considerations

  • AI use must reflect the university’s worldview, affirming a code of honour, human dignity, responsibility, and creativity as original and made by the student. 
  • Each student's text or creative work must be original and a product of his or her own creativity, unless otherwise approved for specific assigned tasks (e.g. students in an AI course).
  • The university prohibits the use of AI for generating or sharing explicit, harmful, deceptive, or inappropriate content.
  • Use of AI must uphold the principles of truth, integrity, and stewardship, in line with the university’s mission.

Institutional AI Systems

  • University-approved AI systems (e.g., for admissions, tutoring, or administrative support) will undergo regular ethical review to ensure transparency, fairness, and alignment with institutional values.
  • Data collected or processed through AI tools must comply with state privacy laws, and internal data policies.
  • The university reserves the right to verify the authenticity of a text with the appropriate verification softwares for the use of AI and other anti-plagiarism systems.

Violations and Enforcement

  • Misuse of AI tools is subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
  • The university reserves the right to update this policy as AI technologies and legal standards evolve.

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Required Disclosures

Any use of AI must be disclosed using the AI Use Disclosure Form provided by the university.


✅ Permitted Uses (if explicitly allowed):

  • Brainstorming or outlining ideas
  • Proofreading for grammar/style
  • Code suggestions for software assignments
  • Content summarization with proper review
  • Book's Covers
  • Gathering of sources (e.g., using AI to identify potential references, articles, or starting points for research). Students must verify accuracy and credibility of sources.

    ⚠️ Note: AI tools may generate false or non-existent sources (“AI hallucinations”). All sources must be verified through approved academic databases or trusted publications.

❌ Prohibited Uses (unless otherwise stated):

  • Full generation of essays, reports, or solutions
  • Citation of non-existent sources generated by AI
  • Misrepresenting AI-generated content as personal work
  • Use of AI to complete take-home exams or quizzes


Violations

Unauthorized or undisclosed AI use will be treated as a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy and may result in grade penalties, assignment failure, or disciplinary action.


PERMITTED USES (if explicitly allowed): HOW TO CREATE A DISCLOSURE PAPER

1. Create a Disclosure form:


📄 AI Use Disclosure Form

GEA UNIVERSITY of San Marco – Student Submission Statement

Purpose: This form must accompany any assignment where AI tools were used to support or generate content. Failure to submit this form when required may be considered an academic integrity violation.

Student Information

Name: _______________________________________

Course: ______________________________________

Instructor: ____________________________________

Assignment Title: ______________________________

Submission Date: ______________________________


2. Add AI tool(s) used

AI Tool(s) Used

List the AI tool(s) used (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, DALL·E, GitHub Copilot):


3. Add AI Purpose of Use

Purpose of Use

Explain how the AI tool was used (e.g., to generate a first draft, summarize research, check grammar, suggest code):


4. Add your Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment

I affirm that the AI tools used did not replace original thinking, misrepresent authorship, or violate the academic integrity policies of [University Name]. This work is my own except for clearly documented AI contributions.

Signature: ___________________________

Date: _______________________________


Faculty Guidance: Evaluating AI-Assisted Student Work

🔍 Verification of Sources

  • If a student cites sources gathered through AI tools, instructors should:
    • Check for credibility and existence of sources.
    • Require students to provide permalinks or full citations for any AI-suggested materials.
    • Encourage use of university-approved databases for final source validation.

⚠️ Reminder: AI-generated bibliographies may include fabricated or inaccurate references. Verify suspicious citations before grading.

📘 Disclosure Review

  • Ensure students have submitted the AI Use Disclosure Form when required.
  • Compare declared uses with the actual content to detect overreliance or undisclosed assistance.

🧠 Promote Critical Thinking

  • Encourage assignments that require personal reflection, contextual analysis, or human engagement, which AI cannot authentically replicate.
  • Where AI is permitted, evaluate how students engaged with and refined AI-generated content rather than simply accepting outputs.

❌ Handling Misuse

  • Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI should be addressed under the Academic Honesty Policy.
  • Use discretion and grace for first-time or unintentional violations, especially in the early phases of student AI literacy.
  • If the student repeats the use of unauthorized AI, despite repeated warnings, proceed with failure and/or report to the institutional bodies for possible disciplinary measures.