Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are powerful tools that promise to revolutionize research, teaching and learning. In all three areas and in the future of work there are creative and future-oriented possibilities for the use of AI. Many faculty, faculty, staff and students at the University of Guelph are currently exploring the ethical use of AI, including research by the U of G’s Center for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI).
At the same time, the development of increasingly sophisticated AI systems such as ChatGPT pose potential threats to academic integrity. Unauthorized use of AI systems by students undermines student learning, achievement of learning outcomes, and violates university policies on academic misconduct.
The university is committed to ensuring that the use of AI in teaching and learning conforms to existing policies and regulations governing academic and scholarly integrity. We continue to engage the university community, including students, as we work to refine academic integrity policies and their intersection with AI tools. We affirm that:
Students’ work must reflect their unique intellectual abilities and demonstrate the application of critical thinking and problem solving. The unauthorized use of AI to conduct assessments violates the fundamental intellectual purposes of the university and does not show that students have achieved the learning outcomes of the courses.
Submitting material created by AI without the faculty’s permission is a violation of the university’s policy on academic misconduct, either as a form of plagiarism or the use of unauthorized resources.
Acceptable use of AI should be determined by the course instructor and may vary by discipline, program, and type of exam. In establishing course requirements and assessment criteria, the Instructor should specify the permitted use of AI, if any, through the course description and/or learning management system (e.g., CourseLink). Clarity about the acceptable use of AI is critical for students and teachers. Students are responsible for adequately acknowledging how and to what extent they have used AI in examinations as per university and program requirements.
Lecturers and faculty are encouraged to continue to develop assessment methods that promote academic integrity and assess learning outcomes. Where appropriate, this may include the incorporation of exam requirements that explain the students and provide evidence of the research and thought processes used in completing the assignment.
Ongoing informational and educational events on artificial intelligence and academic integrity are offered across the university.
Relevant Academic Integrity Policies:
bachelor calendar
Associate Diploma Calendar
Guelph Humber Calendar
Graduation Calendar
