Artificial Intelligence in Classes

Communicate expectations for student use of AI in courses and/or other documents such as theses, dissertations, research articles, etc.

The use of AI writing technologies falls within the purview of the Student Conduct Code and the Student Guide to Academic Integrity. It states that “Materials (written or otherwise) submitted to fulfill academic requirements must represent a student’s own efforts unless otherwise permitted by an instructor.” Therefore, student use of AI-assistive technology is not allowed in coursework, on theses, dissertations, research articles, etc. unless specifically allowed by the instructor or supervisor. 
 
Whatever decision you make as an instructor:

• Explain “why.” As AI tools become more integrated with commonly used programs (e.g. Google Docs), it becomes increasingly important for instructors to explain why and how AI tools should/should not be used. Considerations may include: the accuracy/credibility of AI generated work, potential bias of AI-generated results, developing students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills, individual voice/skills, etc.
• Consider including a policy statement specifically about the use of AI tools (see examples in Sample Language for Syllabus Policies)

Use AI-Writing Assistance technologies for plagiarism detection, grading and feedback ethically. UCSB does not support the use of plagiarism detection software (e.g. Turnitin, ChatGPT Zero) for several reasons: 

1. Anti-plagiarism software is highly fallible. LLMs are advancing at lightning speed with huge injections of capital. Procuring “anti” LLM software contributes to a virtual arms race, with detection software always one step behind what LLMs can produce.
2. Submitting student work to anti-plagiarism software may violate students’ intellectual property rights.  When student work is uploaded into a AI-Writing/plagiarism detector database, the student may lose ownership of their work and the instructor/University unable to safeguard how it is shared and used in the electronic commons.
3. Use of anti-plagiarism software can undermine the fundamental relationship of trust that must exist between learners and teachers. To move from “detection” of LLM use to “prevention,” instructors should consider how students can use LLMs as a tool to support their work and/or craft assignments and activities that cannot be produced by LLMs. While this approach may represent a shift in perspective or assignments, the Office of Teaching and Learning instructional consultants offer extensive support for instructors who would like to pursue this approach.
4. Instructors and TAs should not use AI-assistive technology for grading and feedback unless the technology is supported by UCSB (e.g. use of GradeScope is permitted, as UCSB has a contract for its use and the technology has been vetted for FERPA compliance), for the reasons outlined above.

Avoid academic integrity issues stemming from student use of AI-assistive technologies through alterations to your assignments.

1. Scaffold (writing) assignments, so that students are completing smaller pieces over time that will be incorporated into larger assignments. Also integrate opportunities for students to receive and incorporate feedback on those smaller tasks as they complete the larger assignment. Feedback can be from their peers and/or the instructor/TA.
2. Add brief reflective writing tasks to assignments that ask students to analyze the choices that they made as they completed the assignment (give examples).
3. Talk with students about the purpose of the assignments, how they will help them develop skills, how they relate to future courses or careers, and how they can succeed in the course.
4. Work with students to use AI/LLMs in productive ways (see list above).
5. Assign work that requires personal reflection or creative thinking. For example, ask students to describe and reflect on a personal experience related to the course material or have students create some media based on the content.
6. As students complete (coding or problem sets) assignments, have them annotate their work by using commenting tools or recording their voice.

The Office of Student Conduct adjudicates academic and behavioral violations of the Student Conduct Code. If you suspect unauthorized use of AI technologies, submit an incident report. Be sure to include any samples of earlier/baseline student work to which the work in question can be compared.