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Sample Syllabus Language: AI Course Policies

The following syllabus language examples offer ideas for communicating different AI policies to students, based on your course content and goals. Please customize any of these to suit your course’s specific needs. Before finalizing your policy, we recommend you:

  • Explore AI tools like ChatGPT yourself to understand their benefits, limitations, and interaction with your course material.
  • Identify real-world scenarios where responsible AI usage or avoidance may be expected of students, and think about how your policy can prepare them for those.
  • Plan ways you can help your students think critically about these tools. This could include class discussions, assignments, or importing the TLTC and Libraries' Artificial Intelligence and Information Literacy module into your course.

When crafting your AI policy, aim to include:

  • Clear guidelines on how students should interact with AI tools in your class.
  • Examples of permitted or prohibited AI tool types (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E).
  • Explanation of the pedagogical reasoning behind your policy.
  • Citation expectations (if applicable).
  • Instructions for addressing questions or potential exceptions to the policy.

The examples below provide a starting point for various AI policy approaches, which you should customize to suit your course's specific needs. Please remember to talk directly with your students about your policy as well, in addition to listing it on your syllabus and assignments.

 

Example Policies & Rationale

Development of writing voice and creative idea generation 

“Develop your own voice and ideas without AI”

The use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, etc.) is prohibited for any part of the assignment process, including brainstorming, writing, and editing. While there will be a place for these tools in your future work, this policy aims to foster your ability to develop original ideas and a unique voice, both core skills of this class. If you have questions or suggestions for potential exceptions, please email me at [instructor email] and I would be happy to talk more.

Learning conventions

“Master the fundamentals first without AI tools”

AI assistance (ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted for coding, research, writing, editing, or any other part of the assignment process. Even though I expect you will use these tools in the future, this approach will help you build a solid understanding of the subject matter, which will benefit your future career. If you have questions or suggestions for potential exceptions, please email me at [instructor email] and I would be happy to talk more.

Brainstorming but not final product

“Get ideas from anywhere, but develop your own voice”

In this class, you may use AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, Elicit, DALL-E, etc.) for brainstorming and research (getting suggestions for research topics, defining complex terms for your own understanding, etc.). But you must develop your final assignments independently in order to hone your writing voice, which is a major goal of this class. If you have questions or suggestions for potential exceptions, please email me at [instructor email] and I would be happy to talk more.

Final edits or production, but not generation/brainstorming

“Develop your ideas and analysis independently, but use any tools to present them”

This class aims to build your ability to synthesize complex information and develop original ideas. Therefore, you cannot use AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, etc.) for brainstorming or research. However, after formulating your ideas, you may use these tools for writing and revising the final product. If using AI assistance, cite the tool and how it was used (e.g., "This paper was written/edited with assistance from ChatGPT"). For policy questions or potential exceptions, please email [instructor email] before using AI tools and I would be happy to talk more.

Fact checking

“Use AI – just check for inaccuracies and biases”

You may use AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, etc.) for any part of the assignment process, including brainstorming, research, writing, and editing. However – just as you will be in the real world – you are still responsible for ensuring the accuracy and quality of your work. Please refer to your specific assignment directions for guidance on how to credit and cite your use of these tools appropriately.

Personal reflections

“Use any tools, but make sure it’s true to you”

AI tools can be used for any part of the assignment process. However you must ensure your submitted reflections and observations represent your personal beliefs and ideas, regardless of how they were formed. Please refer to your assignment directions for guidance on how to credit and cite your use of these tools appropriately.

AI encouraged

“Effective AI usage is a core skill you’ll learn in this class”

This class aims to develop your skills in effectively and responsibly using and citing AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL-E, etc.). You will be asked to use these tools throughout the assignment process, which will prepare you to use them thoughtfully in your future work. When using AI assistance, follow proper citation guidelines provided in the assignment instructions. For any questions or concerns, please email [instructor email], and I would be happy to talk more.

 

Additional Resources & Citations

 

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