Using AI Ethically

Ethical AI

Today we will talk about Artificial Intelligence, or AI. Specifically, we will discuss how to use AI responsibly and ethically in your academic career. Before we start, I want to be clear that I'm sharing experiences on how to use AI appropriately in various college settings, so remember to always refer to Weber State policies.

If you check out Weber State's guidelines—linked below—they note that “misusing AI, such as submitting AI-generated work as their own, can cross the line into academic dishonesty.” View AI as a study aid rather than a replacement for your personal voice, creativity, or critical thinking skills.

Your Professor's Preference

Another major source of policy and regulation in class comes from your professors. It's vital to “Always check with your instructor before using AI on an assignment to understand what’s allowed.” Before you start any project, look at your syllabus for your professor's specific rules on AI. Some might prohibit it, while others allow limited use—so if you're ever uncertain, ask them.

Some professors prohibit AI on any assignments or homework. Professors with this criterion emphasize the need for your assignments to be your own intellectual property, and for complete comprehension of the material.

Some professors use AI to streamline repetitive tasks or make systems more intuitive. Many online programs are implementing AI to streamline the system.

GIS (Geographical Information Systems), for example, has included an AI feature to handle tasks such as imputing repetitive data points or organizing metadata. AI is known to hallucinate and make up material, which can hurt your academic integrity. When writing research papers, AI can make up references that don’t exist and borrow information from other papers.

AI and its Many Mistakes

AI is a system built to compound data, but that doesn't mean all the information it gives is actually correct. AI pulls information from sources across the internet and combines it to answer common questions. The information AI returns comes from multiple sources, including sources that actually don’t support your topic or each other but simply have the keywords the AI is looking for.

Grammarly is a commonly used site that uses AI to review your writing, but it can also make mistakes and change your paper in ways that can change your meaning. Reviewing any material run through Grammarly or similar sites is important to protect you and your academic career.

When working through math problems, AI can be great for walking you through the steps, but the answer at the end can still be wrong; double-checking and using AI as a tool instead of the answer can be the biggest benefit of using AI as long as it is allowed. While AI can be a tool for determining steps in a process and working through information you are struggling with, AI can’t always be used on homework or other assignments.

AI, however, can be an effective study tool for condensing and highlighting key areas in your notes. While AI has its place as a study tool, don't forget the power of repetition. It's a classic strategy proven to improve retention and help you truly master your learning materials.

WSU policies warn that misusing AI can lead to academic dishonesty. AI should support your own efforts—not replace your voice, creativity, or critical thinking.

Think of it as a companion, not a substitute for your hard work or human interaction. Relying solely on AI for studying can harm critical thinking skills and limit your ability to apply what you learn. 

To AI or Not to AI: When to turn to Tutoring

Tutoring is one of the many amazing resources available to students for free. They can help you understand and study the material. Tutors have already completed the courses you are taking and can provide constructive help without the risk of false information. As academic peer coaches, we can also help with note-taking and study tools that can be modified to meet each student's needs, with guidance. I know I sound like a broken record.

Still, I can't stress enough the importance of WSU policy: “immediate academic consequences include receiving a zero on an assignment, failing a course, or academic probation”.

It can be safer, more effective, and more meaningful to use some of the many resources on campus to help you grow as a student and person. When writing this blog post, I used Grammarly to fix my silly spelling mistakes, but I also went to the Writing Center and had a writing tutor help me go through the post to make sure it was cohesive and conveyed my goal. They didn’t write my post for me; they helped me build my skills and strengthen my writing.

Always check your course syllabus and university policies before using AI for any assignment. If it’s not permitted, follow your professor's instructions and keep your work AI-free!

References

6-22 Student Code. (n.d.). https://www.weber.edu/ppm/policies/6-22_studentcode.html#:~:text=6.0%20STUDENT%20RESPONSIBILITIES
AI for Students. (n.d.). https://www.weber.edu/ai/students.html#:~:text=Misusing%20AI%2C%20like,tools%20with%20integrity

Make an appointment today! Schedule an appointment with an Academic Peer Coach if you'd like to talk more about how to manage in a group project.