Introduction to Generative AI: General principles for use of Gen AI

Introduction

The use of Generative AI in academic learning and study has some ethical considerations. It is the responsibility of students to know about them, and in some cases, take specific action.

All academic work should be ethical, productive, and uphold critical thinking. Using these tools outside of academic work is the choice of individuals, but at University these principles will provide guidance. 

The key to understanding Generative AI Model ethical issues is in the name: generative, from "to generate", means “to create”, so a Gen AI model must create something new every time it is used.  This means that content written by Generative AI is never the original work of the student, and simply copying and pasting may result in an investigation for plagiarism.

General principles for use of Generative AI

                                                                                         

Ensure that your final work is your own

  • Ensure work is not copy and pasted from a generative AI tool
  • Use your own style and voice.
  • Simply rephrasing Gen 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 assessments and, most importantly, ensure learning.
  • Copying and pasting Gen AI-generated content may result in an academic misconduct finding for plagiarism. This may also be true when Generative AI tools are used for proof reading, spell checking, and grammar checking.  
  

Fact check everything! 

  • It is important to fact-check the information received. 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.
  • Use the SIFT method below to help you.
  

Follow AI unit advice

  • Ensure your use of Gen AI follows the guidelines given for the particular course, unit, and assessment
  • Follow your instructor’s guidance on exactly what and how generative AI tools can be used during assessments for your unit.
  • If you are allowed to use Generative AI tools, ensure that any use of Generative AI has been cited and acknowledged according to unit's or institution's policies and guidelines
  

Tracking Gen AI use

  • Keep track throughout your assignment process of the ways you have used Generative AI
  • Save copies of each step to create a record that can be shared with instructors to facilitate respectful conversations about your work.
    • Keep copies of your previous drafts before and after interacting with generative AI
    • Summarise your interactions with generative AI (prompts, summary responses) in a table
    • Adequately reference any AI-generated information
                                                  

Be wary of bias                                                                                                

  • AI tools may align with commercial objectives or political prejudices
  • Apply critical thinking at all times: analyse and contextualise AI's outputs, and fact check any information AI gives you. 
  • Form your own perspective - we are more interested in your perspective and how you support it, than the perspective of a computer.

 

 

General principles

SIFT method for fact-checking

The internet has a seemingly endless supply of information, a lot of which looks believable and reliable.  Determining the credibility of the information can be challenging, especially when using Generative AI: its job is to sound convincing.

The AACR (Authority Accuracy Currency Relevance) method can be used to evaluate resources for use in assessments.  The SIFT method is great for fact-checking online resources and social media.

The SIFT method can be used to evaluate any information produced by Generative AI tools.  It is particularly useful to confirm the credibility, reliability & validity of anything you receive in response to a Generative AI prompt.

for use of generative A

https://mikecaulfield.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/sift-infographic.png

 

(UChicago Library, 2025)

STOP:

  • What do you already know about the topic?  Does this information you've received line up with your knowledge?
  • Who or what wrote the information?  What is their reputation?

INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE:

  • What do you know about the source or author?  Can you find out more? 
  • Is there an "About Us" option on their website?
  • What are their credentials or authority?  Why would you believe what they say?
  • Do they have a vested interest in the information they are giving you?  This could be financial or political.

FIND BETTER COVERAGE:

  • What other coverage or information can you find?
  • Double check with a trusted source of information.

TRACE INFORMATION TO ITS ORIGINAL CONTEXT:

  • What was the original quote, research or claim?
  • Has the information been accurately reproduced?
  • Has the information been taken out of context to support an idea or agenda?

The SIFT method was developed by Mike Caulfield, and the information above is adapted from his materials under a CC BY 4.0 licence, and the University of Chicago library guide, Evaluating Resources and Misinformation - we highly recommend reading through this guide.

Van Kampen, K. (2025). Evaluating resources and misinformation. University of Chicago. https://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/c.php?g=1241077&p=9082322