The following applies to ISS core courses (ISS 301, 302, 350, 355 and 401). Please check with your instructors for all other courses on their policies.

Using AI: 

Content-generating artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can be useful in several ways. However, because it can be abused, you need to consult with your instructor before integrating such AI-generated content into your work. If you include text directly copied from AI-generated sources, use it sparingly and make sure to treat it as a direct quote with proper citation. Other uses of content-generating AI must be clearly described at the end of your assignments. 

Other guidelines to keep in mind:

• Do not use content-generating AI as a substitute for completing assignments yourself. It is important to understand the material and complete assignments on your own 
• Any use of AI should serve only as a supplement (not replacement) to your work.
• Using AI to modify content to evade plagiarism detection is unethical and violates academic integrity.
• Do not assume content generated by AI is accurate. These tools generate content based on statistical relationships between words, rather than an underlying comprehension of the subject. This makes them prone to hallucinations (e.g., false claims, misattribution, and bias). 

Please see the UW Plagiarism and Student Conduct Policy for more.

AI Resources

AI Citation Style Guide (Dalhousie University)

Citing ChatGPT (Butler University)

What is AI?: 

In the context of our classroom, AI (artificial intelligence) refers to programs like ChatGPT and Grammarly, which rely on computer algorithms designed to assist with language-related tasks. These AI-powered tools can help with grammar checking, style improvement, text generation, and content suggestions. They operate by analyzing text data and applying learned patterns to provide real-time feedback or text generation.

Permissible Use: While resources such as ChatGPT and Grammarly can be useful in a number of ways, they are not a valid replacement for abstract or critical thinking. That is, AI tools should be used as writing aids rather than a substitute for your engagement with the writing process. To summarize: 

1. As a Proofreading or Writing Aid: AI can be used to assist in grammatical corrections (e.g., spelling mistakes, formatting references); structural suggestions (e.g., sentence length); or stylistic recommendations (e.g., passive or active voice). Programs like ChatGPT are also helpful as a conversational tool to “think through” ideas. That is, it is okay to use AI when it acts as a supplementary tool for enhancing the quality of your original work such as an editor would do by suggesting copy-edits or areas to expand on. The important thing to underscore is that it provides feedback on the writing that you have produced. 
2. Not as a Substitute for Your Own Writing: Using AI to generate content that you present as your own original work is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to content generated for essays, discussion forums, quiz or exam responses, and feedback to your peers. Each of your assignments should reflect your own research, thinking, interpretation, analysis, and written evaluation.  

Examples of permissible tools: 

• Grammarly: Primarily focuses on grammar checking, spell checking, and stylistic suggestions. It also offers a plagiarism detection service, which is not very good. 
• Hemingway App: Aims to improve readability by highlighting complex sentences, passive voice, and providing simpler alternatives to complex words.
• ProWritingAid: Offers in-depth analysis of writing by checking for grammar errors, style issues, and providing readability scores.
• Google Translate: Provides translation between multiple languages, useful for initial translation tasks but not as a substitute for human translation in critical applications.

Examples of tools you should speak to the instructor about: 

• Ginger Software: Offers grammar and spell check, along with a sentence rephrasing tool to find alternative ways to express oneself.
• Quillbot: A paraphrasing tool that helps rewrite or rephrase sentences or paragraphs.
• jenni.ai: An essay generating software and pdf reading tool. 
• ChatGPT: Can help generate text based on prompts, though it's essential to note that its generated text should not be used as a substitute for original work in academic settings.