Teaching & Learning
- For student submitted work, AI use is not automatically allowed and depends on the instructor’s rules for the specific assignment
- In the graduate English-language instruction program, AI may be used for limited support such as grammar, citation formatting, or clarity, but it may not be used to generate an entire assignment or major portions of it, and over-reliance can lead to penalties
* Do not assume that your instructor allows the use of AI tools for submitted work. Before using these tools, you must check with your instructor if you can do so, and if so, what exactly is permitted for a specific assignment.
Any use of AI tools or generative artificial intelligence during assessments and timed tasks is strictly prohibited.
AI tools can be used to personalize students learning experience and support students in improving specific aspects of their writing, such as grammar, citation formatting, or enhancing clarity. AI tools cannot, however, be used to generate the whole assignment or major parts of it. Students work should reflect their own ideas, analysis, voice, and critical thinking skills. Over-reliance on AI-generated content will result in penalties.
The instructor will provide guidance on how and when it is acceptable and appropriate to use AI tools.
- In the graduate English-language instruction program, any AI use during assessments and timed tasks is prohibited
- More broadly, the university’s academic integrity guidance tells faculty to maintain exam security and provide clear course policies, but it does not set a university-wide AI exam rule outside the quoted program-specific statement
Any use of AI tools or generative artificial intelligence during assessments and timed tasks is strictly prohibited.
3. Maintain the security and integrity of exams, including responsibly proctoring examinations and quizzes.
2. Give clear guidelines or instructions concerning course requirements and policy.
- AUC allows AI to be used as a learning support tool when used critically and cautiously
- Student guidance says permitted AI outputs should be evaluated carefully because they may be incorrect, biased, unreliable, or create privacy concerns, and the graduate program specifically allows AI to support learning and improve aspects of writing such as grammar, citation formatting, and clarity
* If you are permitted to use ChatGPT or similar AI, evaluate the content carefully and critically. Content produced may contain incorrect or biased and therefore unreliable information. These tools may also infringe on your privacy (e.g., collecting data about you and sharing it), so use them with caution. Remember that you should be using more authoritative, reliable, secure sources instead.
AI tools can be used to personalize students learning experience and support students in improving specific aspects of their writing, such as grammar, citation formatting, or enhancing clarity.
* It is student's responsibility to understand the limitations and biases of AI tools, and critically evaluate AI-generated content.
Research
Academic Integrity
- AUC provides disclosure and attribution guidance rather than a single universal rule
- Faculty are encouraged to state AI policies in the syllabus and may require student disclosure, while student resources say AI-generated text should be acknowledged and the graduate program requires proper acknowledgment and attribution when instructor-approved AI use is allowed
* Clarify on your syllabus what your policy is towards AI - Here are AUC’s sample syllabus statements which you can adapt.
* If you want to disclose the students use of AI, here is a sample AI disclosure statement template.
Students should acknowledge when they have used generative artificial intelligence in the creation of material.
Most AI tools now allow users to copy a "share" link to allow others to see their conversation with the chatbot. You may ask students to do so as part of their citation of AI-generated content.
* Students must provide proper acknowledgment and attribution of any AI-generated content used in assignments, when allowed by the instructor, to maintain academic integrity.
- AUC states that AI detectors, including Turnitin’s AI detector, are unreliable and should not be treated as clear-cut evidence
- The university also states that it does not tolerate academic integrity violations and that corrective measures will be proportionate; in the graduate program, over-reliance on AI-generated content can result in penalties, and instructors may impose sanctions for academic dishonesty up to dismissal from the university
* Avoid relying on flawed and biased AI detectors; foster integrity in other ways, such as oral verification, in-class work, and authentic assessments.
Effective January 1, 2024, the AI writing detection tool is no longer available via the AUC TurnItIn license. CLT and other sources have concluded that the Turnitin AI detector (as well as other AI detectors) remains unreliable and its output cannot be considered clear-cut evidence of the use of AI in a student paper or lack thereof.
The University does not tolerate academic integrity violations and will ensure that the corrective measures for such infractions are proportionate to the violation committed.
Over-reliance on AI-generated content will result in penalties.
“Instructors may take a number of actions to deal with academic dishonesty, ranging from a reduction in course grade to an official letter of reprimand and warning placed in the student’s file, or to dismissal from the university.”
Institutional & Administrative
- The provided sources do not define specific institutional rules for faculty or staff use of AI in grading, recommendation letters, or administrative communications
- Faculty are advised to set course-level AI policies, discuss acceptable and unacceptable uses with students, and redesign assessments rather than banning AI outright
* Clarify on your syllabus what your policy is towards AI - Here are AUC’s sample syllabus statements which you can adapt.
* Use CLT's Talking to Your Students About AI: Tips for Faculty. Emphasize the importance of original work for students' education and careers. Clarify acceptable and unacceptable AI usage in your course to avoid confusion.
* Discuss AI's role and impacts with your students during the first week and ahead of each major assessment.
#### Don't Ban. Discuss and Bring in
- AUC gives data-protection and platform guidance centered on caution, critical review, and use of institutional tools
- Student guidance warns that AI tools may collect and share personal data, Turnitin guidance prohibits sharing AUC credentials because of access to sensitive university systems, and the Digital Transformation office maintains a Safe AI Tools page featuring Microsoft Copilot and referring users to guidelines and best practices
* If you are permitted to use ChatGPT or similar AI, evaluate the content carefully and critically. Content produced may contain incorrect or biased and therefore unreliable information. These tools may also infringe on your privacy (e.g., collecting data about you and sharing it), so use them with caution. Remember that you should be using more authoritative, reliable, secure sources instead.
* Do not share your account login information with anyone, including your Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant. Now that your login to Turnitin is with your AUC credentials, sharing them with anyone would give them access to your email, Canvas, E.repertoire, Banner and other highly sensitive data connected to your AUC Account.
It is important to use Generative AI tools responsibly. AI models can sometimes generate incorrect, biased or incomplete information ("hallucinations."). Users must always critically evaluate the output. Generative AI is a powerful tool that can enhance creativity, productivity and learning. To ensure its ethical, effective and responsible use, check the guidelines and best practices.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered digital assistant that helps users with a wide range of tasks by generating content, summarizing information and automating workflows. It is integrated across many Microsoft products and is available in different versions for individuals, businesses and enterprises.
- The Provost's initiatives page additionally lists a specific initiative focused on the 'Use of AI Tools'
- AUC provides institution-level AI guidance primarily through its Center for Learning and Teaching, recognizing the need for clear guidelines as AI becomes integral to academics
As AI tools become increasingly integral to professional, creative, and academic endeavors, AUC recognizes the need for clear guidelines.
* Use of AI Tools
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 American University in Cairo's AI Policies
American University in Cairo has defined AI policies in 8 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 67%.
AUC provides disclosure and attribution guidance rather than a single universal rule. Faculty are encouraged to state AI policies in the syllabus and may require student disclosure, while student resources say AI-generated text should be acknowledged and the graduate program requires proper acknowledgment and attribution when instructor-approved AI use is allowed.
AUC states that AI detectors, including Turnitin’s AI detector, are unreliable and should not be treated as clear-cut evidence. The university also states that it does not tolerate academic integrity violations and that corrective measures will be proportionate; in the graduate program, over-reliance on AI-generated content can result in penalties, and instructors may impose sanctions for academic dishonesty up to dismissal from the university.
AUC gives data-protection and platform guidance centered on caution, critical review, and use of institutional tools. Student guidance warns that AI tools may collect and share personal data, Turnitin guidance prohibits sharing AUC credentials because of access to sensitive university systems, and the Digital Transformation office maintains a Safe AI Tools page featuring Microsoft Copilot and referring users to guidelines and best practices.