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Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, especially Large Language Models (LLMs), are powerful and evolving tools for generating many kinds of text and other content that mimic human compositions. Interacting through a conversational ‘chat’ interface, users can ask LLMs to answer questions about a topic, summarize sources of information, generate links between topics, suggest ways to improve grammar and style of user-inputted text, compose essays, emails, homilies, poems, etc., and engage in human-like discussion. The impact of generative AI on higher education continues to unfold, with many potential benefits for and disruptions of traditional pedagogy.

Initial Cautions in Using Generative AI Tools

  • Protect confidential data: You should not enter confidential or personally identifiable information into publicly available generative AI tools. User inputs and uploaded documents are used to continuously train the tool’s AI model. Data that you share should be anonymized.
  • You are responsible for any content that you produce or publish that includes AI-generated material: AI-generated content can be inaccurate, misleading, or entirely fabricated (sometimes called “hallucinations”) or may contain copyrighted material. Carefully review your AI-generated content before employing it in any fashion.
  • Adhere to current policies on academic integrity (see below)
  • Be alert for AI-enabled phishing: Generative AI has made it easier for malicious actors to create convincing and targeted fraudulent messages at a large scale.
  • Contact the IT Director before procuring or installing generative AI software on School computers: Beyond the use of AI services hosted on websites, some AI tools can also be installed locally. If you are interested in installing an AI tool on a School computer, or on your personal computer that is connected to the School network, the IT Director should first assess it for network security and privacy concerns.


Teaching & Learning Implications for Academic Integrity

In addition to the opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning, there are also serious concerns about the use of generative AI in academic contexts. Some uses of AI-generated text in assignments are akin to plagiarism and can detract from the intellectual growth that comes from developing ideas and expressing thoughts born of careful consideration and research. At the same time, generative AI can be used in responsible ways. In education, faculty and students continue to discover ways to incorporate these tools in ways that support teaching and learning. At Saint Meinrad, generative AI may only be used in coursework with the express permission of the instructor of record. Instructors are encouraged to articulate their policies toward generative AI in their syllabi.

Suggested Course Syllabi Statements

It would be helpful to remind students of potential dangers of generative AI tools, including the following:

When using AI tools, it is important to be aware that the user data supplied might be utilized for training AI models or other purposes. Consequently, there is no guarantee that the information you provide will remain confidential. Instructors and students should exercise caution and avoid sharing any sensitive or confidential information when using these tools.

Instructors may wish to follow one of the three models outlined below.

A. Strict Use Guidelines: Discourage AI use in this particular course.

AI Policy: Not Permitted in this Course

In this course, it is expected that all submitted work is produced by the students themselves, whether individually or collaboratively. Students must not seek the assistance of Generative AI Tools. The submission of AI-generated text as part of an assignment constitutes a violation of academic integrity in this course.

B. Moderate Use Guidelines: Encourage AI use in specific assignments, but not all. Students must disclose any AI assistance.

AI Policy: Permitted when Assigned in this Course with Attribution

In this course, students are permitted to use Generative AI Tools for specific assignments, as designated by the instructor. To maintain academic integrity, students must disclose any use of AI-generated material. As always, students must properly use attributions, including in-text citations, quotations, and references.

A student should include the following statement in assignments to indicate use of a Generative AI Tool: “The author(s) would like to acknowledge the use of [Generative AI Tool Name], a language model developed by [Generative AI Tool Provider], in the preparation of this assignment. The [Generative AI Tool Name] was used in the following way(s) in this assignment [e.g., brainstorming, grammatical correction, citation, which portion of the assignment].”

Any text that has been generated by an AI Tool must be cited in the same manner as other sources. The Chicago Manual of Style offers these examples (https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html):

If you used the prompt in the text of the assignment:

  1. Text generated by [Platform Used], date of generation, company, URL.

If you did not use the prompt in the text of the assignment:

  1. Text generated by [Platform Used], response to "the prompt you used," date of generation, company.

C. Open Use Guidelines: Embrace and encourage AI use in assignments, with the requirement that students disclose any AI assistance.

AI Policy: Permitted in this Course with Attribution

In this course, students are permitted to use Generative AI Tools to support their work. To maintain academic integrity, students must disclose any AI-generated material, and the AI tool they used, and properly attribute it, including in-text citations, quotations, and references.

A student should include the following statement in assignments to indicate use of a Generative AI Tool: “The author(s) would like to acknowledge the use of [Generative AI Tool Name], a language model developed by [Generative AI Tool Provider], in the preparation of this assignment. The [Generative AI Tool Name] was used in the following way(s) in this assignment [e.g., brainstorming, grammatical correction, citation, which portion of the assignment].”

Any text that has been generated by an AI Tool must be cited in the same manner as other sources. The Chicago Manual of Style offers these examples (https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Documentation/faq0422.html).

If you indicated the prompt in the text of the assignment:

  1. Text generated by [Platform Used], date of generation, company, URL.

If you did not use the prompt in the text of the assignment:

  1. Text generated by [Platform Used], response to "the prompt you used," date of generation, company.