Advice to students about using generative Artificial Intelligence

It is important to recognise the limitations of AI, for example, ChatGPT’s data is limited to 2021 and before. Macquarie University has identified some of the important Limitations of AI

Accuracy – the output of generative AI tools may be inaccurate or contain false or invented information.

Privacy – in general the input and output of the tool is recorded by the organisation offering the tool. The information may become public or shared with other organisations.

Intellectual Property – be sure to read the terms of service for each AI tool to check the licence terms that cover input and output of each tool you use.

See also advice from

(a) TEQSA: Artificial Intelligence: Advice for students

(b) Turnitin: Ethical AI use checklist for students

The ACT’s Academic Integrity Policy for Coursework Awards stipulates that AI is not to be used to write any assignments.

The are only two exceptions to this principle – AI tools may be used:

1. 1. 1. For preliminary research on a topic
      2. If the assignment instructions specifically include written authorisation for its use

For exception (1), the name and version number of the tool(s) used (e.g., “ChatGPT Version 3.5”) must be included (if a version is not available, please provide name and date of use).

For exception (2), the name and version number of the tool(s) used (e.g., “ChatGPT Version 3.5″) must be included as well as an Appendix showing student prompts to the AI and the AI responses.

ACT Affiliated Colleges are free to stipulate that the full requirements apply for both exceptions (1) and (2) – students should contact their college for advice. 

Adapted from Mark Kulikovsky, BCSA

ACT students are to acknowledge any use of AI by adding a Declaration such as the following to their Assessment’s title page:

Example for Exception (1):

I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT Version 3.5, https://openai.com/chatgpt to generate materials for research guidance [and proof reading] this assessment task.

I affirm no content generated by any AI technology/ies has been presented as my own work. When ChatGPT [or insert other AI] is used as a resource it is duly referenced.

Example for Exception (2)

I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT Version 3.5, https://openai.com/chatgpt to generate materials for research guidance [and proof reading] this assessment task.

I affirm no content generated by any AI technology/ies has been presented as my own work. When ChatGPT [or insert other AI] is used as a resource it is duly referenced.

Additionally, students are to include the details of ChatGPT material in an Appendix, for example:

The following prompts were used in ChatGPT:
Prompt 1: What were the key elements of the Arian Controversy?
ChatGPT Output 1: [insert ChatGPT text]
Prompt 2: What were the theological implications of the Arian Controversy?
ChatGPT Output 2: [insert ChatGPT text]
The outputs from ChatGPT were used, or modified, in my essay in the following way/s:
[Describe how it was used, for example: The information was used to …; multiple outputs were generated and the results merged into …; etc.]

• APA
• Chicago

Yes. The Turnitin system integrated in Moodle that is used to check for plagiarism now also detects the use of AI, and inappropriate use of AI that is detected can be treated as a case of plagiarism under ACT rules (see below). The Turnitin system has a high rate of detecting essays that use AI (even just a few sentences), and it rarely makes an incorrect conclusion (Turnitin states that only 1 in 100 essays that are fully human written are incorrectly designated as AI written where over 20% of the text appears AI written). Turnitin’s AI detection score is only shown to lecturers (not students).

Any unauthorised or unacknowledged use of AI in any assessment is a form of cheating and, as such, is considered to be wilful academic misconduct. The ACT treats any case of suspected cheating seriously. Where unauthorised use is suspected, principles of procedural fairness and the requirements of the Academic Integrity Policy for Coursework Awards will be applied (or Research Integrity Policy for HDR).

A student submits an assignment. Turnitin reports 24% as AI generated, and identifies the relevant sentences. The staff member reports a case of suspected unauthorised or unacknowledged use of AI to the Academic Dean. The Academic Dean reviews the evidence and follows the procedure below:

1) The Academic Dean writes to the student and requests to be provided with the draft/s or notes of an early version of the assignment for review

2) If required, the Academic Dean meets with the student in order for them to explain their understanding of the assignment’s requirements, how they prepared the assignment, such as how they developed their argument/s, what sources they used, how they reached their conclusion/s.

3) The Academic Dean makes a determination on the case and informs the student in writing

4) If unauthorised use is proven, the provisions of the relevant Policy can apply.