Overview
This lecture discusses the ethical use of AI tools in academic settings, focusing on citation practices, what constitutes cheating, and how to navigate gray areas when using AI like ChatGPT.
Academic Citation and Its Importance
- Citations show how your work fits within the history of ideas and scholarship.
- Modern academia values original contributions and clear attribution of sources.
- Accurate citation builds trust, shows understanding of the discipline, and helps others verify your claims.
- College students are expected to follow academic citation standards as they develop scholarly thinking.
Using AI Tools: What Is Not Cheating
- Using AI for broad, general information or brainstorming (e.g., themes of Romeo and Juliet) is acceptable.
- Gathering well-known facts or commonly recognized concepts from AI does not typically require citation.
- Spell checkers and basic grammar tools (e.g., Word’s spell check) are widely accepted as legitimate aids.
Gray Areas in AI Use
- Using AI to generate detailed outlines or suggestions can be acceptable if you do not copy phrases verbatim.
- If AI-generated content informs your work significantly or you use its wording, you must cite it.
- Tools like Grammarly are generally allowed, but deeper AI interventions (e.g., Grammarly Go rewriting large sections) may cross the line without proper transparency.
- When unsure, always consult your professor for guidance.
Explicit Cheating and Academic Dishonesty
- Copying entire paragraphs, essays, or specific sentences from AI and claiming them as your own is plagiarism.
- Failing to attribute AI-generated content is considered academic dishonesty.
- Academic dishonesty can result in severe consequences, including suspension and permanent record notation.
Navigating Ethical AI Use
- Always be transparent about your use of AI tools in academic work.
- If in doubt, ask your professor or refer to your course syllabus for policies.
- Engage with the academic process honestly to foster genuine learning and creativity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- AI Language Model — Artificial intelligence systems (like ChatGPT) trained to generate and process human-like text.
- Citation — The practice of crediting sources used in academic work.
- Plagiarism — Presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own without proper attribution.
- Gray Area — A situation where the proper course of action is not clear, often requiring judgment or guidance.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review your course syllabus for AI and citation policies.
- Consult your professor if you’re unsure about using an AI tool for assignments.
- Practice transparent citation anytime you use AI-generated content beyond general ideas.