Teaching & Learning
- The library guidance also warns that using AI without transparency can create plagiarism or copyright risks
- Use of AI in graded coursework is not governed by a single blanket university rule in the provided sources; instead, instructors may choose whether and how students may use generative AI in their classes, and students are expected to follow those course-specific rules
For all faculty and students, the use of generative AI is optional and not mandatory. Faculty can decide if and how they want to use it in their courses and students should abide by the standards and expectations set by the faculty for a particular course.
When using AI-generated content in academic work, it’s important to know if your instructor allows use of AI and follow their guidance.
Plagiarism concerns: If you submit AI-generated text or images as your own, this can be considered plagiarism if your instructor requires original work.
- The library materials present AI as a tool students can use for brainstorming, research support, and learning assistance while emphasizing fact-checking and awareness of bias
- The university provides AI literacy and study-support resources and encourages critical evaluation of AI outputs, but the provided sources do not set a specific binding rule for students' personal study use
Generative AI can be useful if used well. Like any source, verify facts, watch for bias, and use your own judgment.
Research and brainstorming support
• Generate topic ideas and keywords.
• Summarize articles or ask for plain-language explanations.
• Draft outlines or refine search strategies.
How to use it responsibly
• Use AI as a starting point, not a substitute for your own thinking.
• Always fact-check claims against trusted sources.
• Ask follow-up questions to improve accuracy.
• Be mindful of bias or fabricated information.
• Follow your instructor’s guidance on acceptable use.
Research
- More generally, the library guidance says users should not list AI as an author and should cite AI-generated content when used
- The provided sources do not establish a university-wide research-manuscript policy, but they do require dissertation students to disclose any use of AI and identify where it was used
Disclose use of AI: If you use AI in your work, clearly explain how and where you used it.
Do not list AI as an author: It cannot take responsibility for the work.
Students are expected to disclose the use of AI in their dissertation manuscript and note where AI was used.
- The university permits dissertation students to use AI in data analysis only with human verification and accountability
- Students must personally verify all AI-assisted outputs and remain responsible for the integrity of the entire dissertation
The dissertation process still requires the student to verify and confirm all AI-assisted work and they hold responsibility for the entirety of the dissertation manuscript.
The use of AI in data analysis is permitted, but student researchers are expected to verify and interpret all findings themselves.
- For dissertation work, students remain fully responsible for the integrity of the manuscript even when AI is used, and they must disclose AI use
- The library guidance also states that users should not enter confidential or sensitive information into AI tools and should not identify AI as an author
The dissertation process still requires the student to verify and confirm all AI-assisted work and they hold responsibility for the entirety of the dissertation manuscript.
Students are expected to disclose the use of AI in their dissertation manuscript and note where AI was used.
Do not upload or share any personal, confidential, or unpublished material. Prompts can be stored and used to further train AI tools.
Do not list AI as an author: It cannot take responsibility for the work.
Academic Integrity
- Disclosure of AI use is required where AI is used in academic or dissertation work in the provided guidance
- The university library instructs users to explain how and where AI was used and to cite AI-generated content using APA, MLA, or Chicago style guidance
Disclose use of AI: If you use AI in your work, clearly explain how and where you used it.
Cite AI-generated content: Follow the latest guidelines in APA, MLA, or Chicago style.
Students are expected to disclose the use of AI in their dissertation manuscript and note where AI was used.
- Faculty are told to use independent judgment, review the paper directly, and contact Academic Affairs if they suspect misuse
- The university makes Turnitin available, including AI writing detection, but warns that AI detection scores are not proof of misconduct and should not be used alone to determine whether a student cheated
Turnitin Originality is a plagiarism and grammar-checking software available for all faculty. It helps to maintain the integrity of student work by checking assignments against online sources and articles, as well as previous student papers submitted in the global repository. Originality also has AI writing detection capabilities.
Turnitin’s AI writing detection score provides an indication that text in a submitted assignment may have been generated by AI. It should not be used as a definitive measure of academic misconduct or punitive action against a student. Educators should always use their independent judgement, review the entire paper and if there is a concern contact Academic Affairs.
Please note that AI detection scores cannot determine with certainty if AI was used because many factors can influence the percentage including false positives or how the score is generated based on sentence patterning and language model probability. An AI score should not be interpreted as proof.
Institutional & Administrative
- The university frames AI use as optional for faculty, who retain discretion to decide how, or if, AI may be used in their courses
- The Center for Teaching Excellence provides faculty with training and resources, such as workshops, to support the integration of AI into teaching
For all faculty and students, the use of generative AI is optional and not mandatory. Faculty can decide if and how they want to use it in their courses and students should abide by the standards and expectations set by the faculty for a particular course. Join us for our upcoming workshops! We offer both online and in-person opportunities to support your teaching journey, whether you’re interested in AI in teaching and learning, faculty support, or course design.
- They also identify Turnitin as an institutionally available platform for originality checking and AI writing detection
- The provided sources instruct users not to upload personal, confidential, or unpublished material into AI tools because prompts may be stored and used for training
Do not upload or share any personal, confidential, or unpublished material. Prompts can be stored and used to further train AI tools.
Turnitin Originality is a plagiarism and grammar-checking software available for all faculty.
- Alliant's AI strategy is implemented through its Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), which offers workshops, newsletters, and online resources
- The institutional stance is that AI use is optional for both faculty and students, emphasizing instructor discretion within courses and a focus on responsible, ethical application
For all faculty and students, the use of generative AI is optional and not mandatory. Faculty can decide if and how they want to use it in their courses and students should abide by the standards and expectations set by the faculty for a particular course. Center for Teaching Excellence workshops and resources are available to all faculty, and specific guides and tutorials for generative AI are posted online.
DocuMark: Responsible AI Use for Academic Integrity
Knowing your institution's AI policy is step one. DocuMark helps enforce it fairly by empowering universities to manage AI-generated content, prevent cheating, and support student writing through responsible AI use.
Common Questions About Alliant International University's AI Policies
Alliant International University has defined AI policies in 10 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 83%.
Disclosure of AI use is required where AI is used in academic or dissertation work in the provided guidance. The university library instructs users to explain how and where AI was used and to cite AI-generated content using APA, MLA, or Chicago style guidance.
The university makes Turnitin available, including AI writing detection, but warns that AI detection scores are not proof of misconduct and should not be used alone to determine whether a student cheated. Faculty are told to use independent judgment, review the paper directly, and contact Academic Affairs if they suspect misuse.
The provided sources instruct users not to upload personal, confidential, or unpublished material into AI tools because prompts may be stored and used for training. They also identify Turnitin as an institutionally available platform for originality checking and AI writing detection.