As AI tools develop and the norms and expectations around their use evolve, students (like everyone) are in the process of discovering both the utility and limits of these tools for learning. Moreover, the expectations around AI tools will likely vary from one course to the next, making clear and consistent communication of expectations for your course particularly important. This document provides considerations that might shape how instructors craft a syllabus statement about AI tools, followed by example statements covering a range of approaches. The staff in the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning (CCTL) are always available for one-on-one consultations on using AI tools in teaching, communicating to students about their use of these tools, and writing syllabus statements. To schedule a one-on-one consultation on AI syllabus statements or other issues related to AI and teaching, book an AI Pedagogy Consultation here.
General Considerations
Below are some examples of syllabus statements prepared by the CCTL to help guide the writing of your own statement on the use of AI tools. This is not an exhaustive list and the statements are generic in nature, with the idea that these examples will provide some ideas and starting points for thinking about how you might want to communicate your own approach on the role of AI tools in your courses. Please feel free to adapt and modify these statements to your particular context and needs. As you draft your own syllabus statement, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Communicate clearly and specifically when AI tools are and are not allowed, and what uses constitute a violation of academic integrity.
- When AI tools are permitted, communicate when and how they should be disclosed and correctly attributed.
- APA guide for citing ChatGPT
- Chicago Manual of Style citation guidelines for AI tools
- MLA guide for citing AI tools
- As with any course policy, providing reasoning that connects it to supporting the learning process helps students to understand the pedagogical rationale for the policy. Communicate to students how the use of AI tools do or do not support the learning goals for the course. In many courses, the development of foundational skills and knowledge that are integral to a student’s academic and personal growth will need to be developed without the use of AI tools. In other cases, the development of skills and knowledge around the use of AI tools in particular fields may be an important learning goal.
- Consider linking to or referencing the student policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism. Every new student at the University is provided with the University’s Student Manual of University Policies & Regulations. Under the policy, AI tools that are not explicitly allowed by the instructor(s) of a course, will be considered a violation of academic integrity. While it is the responsibility of each student to make themselves familiar with these policies, it can be helpful to remind them of the specific policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism.
- Consider how word choice and the tone of your statement will communicate and foster trust in your students as they navigate the availability and use of these new technologies.
Examples of Syllabus Statements on the Use of AI Tools
In general, most instructors will allow or limit the use of AI tools in ways that fall under four broad categories: (1) use prohibited in all situations; (2) use with prior permission; (3) use with proper citation; and (4) free use with no citation required. Below are examples of general statements in each of these categories. These examples are best used as starting points to adapt to your teaching, assignments, course design, and style of communicating with your students.
“In this course, we will be developing skills and knowledge that are important to discover and practice on your own. Because use of AI tools inhibits development of these skills and knowledge, students are not allowed to use any AI tools in this course to draft, summarize, answer, or otherwise complete any assignment or exam. Students are expected to present work that is their own without assistance from others, including automated tools. If you are unclear if something is an AI tool, please check with your instructor. Using AI tools for any purposes in this course will violate the University’s academic integrity policy. I treat potential academic integrity violations by […]”
“Students are only allowed to use AI tools on assignments in this course when advance permission is given by the instructor. Students must submit a written request with an explanation of how they will use a particular tool in their assignment. Students are not permitted to use these tools until permission is granted in writing. The instructor may encourage and give permission to students to use AI tools during class activities and in other contexts when it is considered in support of the course learning goals. Unless given permission to use those tools, each student is expected to complete each course assignment without substantive assistance from others, including AI tools. If you are unclear if something is an AI tool, please check with your instructor. Unauthorized use of AI tools for any purposes in this course will violate the University’s academic integrity policy. I treat potential academic integrity violations by […]”
“The use of AI tools for this course is allowed for specific assignments or tasks only when determined to be in support of the course learning goals. Assignments in which AI tools are permitted will be clearly identified by the instructor and noted in the assignment directions. You are not required to use AI tools, but if you choose to use them for any part of the assignment (for example background reading, summarizing, brainstorming, or editing), you must disclose and use proper citation (please use APA citation format). Failure to properly disclose the use of and cite AI tools is considered a violation of the University of Chicago’s Academic Honesty and Plagiarism policy. If you are unclear if something is an AI Tool, please check with your instructor. I treat potential academic integrity violations by […]”
“In this course, students are allowed to use AI tools on all assignments. No citation is required.”
Additional Resources
To schedule a one-on-one consultation on AI syllabus statements or other issues related to AI and teaching, book an AI Pedagogy Consultation here.
If you are interested in reading more, below are some curated resources to learn more about AI tools and how others in higher education are approaching their use in their courses: