Saybrook University's AI Academic Integrity Guidelines: Ethical Use for Students and Faculty

To establish a clear understanding of the subject matter, it is crucial to define key terms. Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined by the IEEE-USA Board of Directors, refers to 'the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as, visual perception, speech recognition, learning, decision-making, and natural language processing.' Building on this, an Artificial Intelligence Tool (AI Tool) is broadly defined as any platform, encompassing both hardware and software, that leverages AI to assist users with specified tasks. This broad definition is intentional, acknowledging that AI is already integrated into numerous existing platforms and its adoption is expected to grow significantly. Furthermore, an AI Detection Tool is defined as any platform designed to assess whether AI or an AI Tool has been used in the creation of digital content, such as text, audio, images, or video. Automatic Writing Evaluation systems, which use AI-driven natural language processing to provide feedback on written text, also fall under this umbrella.

Faculty members play a pivotal role in shaping the responsible integration of AI within the academic environment. It is incumbent upon instructors to stay informed about the evolving uses of AI and its ethical implications in academia. The prerogative to determine whether AI tools are permitted in a course, and on which specific assignments, rests with the course instructor. Faculty have the authority to articulate precise conditions and criteria for AI tool usage, tailored to the nature of their courses and their pedagogical discretion. A crucial responsibility for instructors is to include a clearly written description of permitted AI tool usage within the course syllabus. This communication should clearly outline course-specific and assignment-specific guidelines for AI use to students at the outset of the course, ensuring clarity and preventing misunderstandings.

AI-generated plagiarism encompasses two primary forms. Firstly, using AI to generate content that directly copies or paraphrases from published sources or other students' work without proper citation is strictly prohibited. This includes the overuse of AI-generated content, even if cited, which may still constitute plagiarism as detailed in the Saybrook Handbook of Format & Style for Dissertations, Theses, Projects, & Capstones. Secondly, inaccurately attributing or failing to attribute AI when AI tools or algorithms have contributed to published research results can also be considered plagiarism. Essential AI contributions, such as models, datasets, or algorithms, must be acknowledged and cited appropriately to maintain scholarly integrity.

To support the ethical and responsible use of AI, Saybrook University provides access to several key policies and resources. Students and faculty are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the 'Saybrook University Policy on Authentic Writing and Plagiarism' and the 'Saybrook University Policy on Academic Performance, Professionalism, and Remediation.' For practical guidance on citing AI-generated content, the 'APA’s How to cite ChatGPT' resource is highly recommended. Additionally, the 'Saybrook Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools and Resources Guide' offers further information and support. These resources are designed to assist the university community in navigating the complexities of AI in academic settings.