Teaching & Learning
- The Dental College of Georgia prohibits AI to create assignments unless specifically authorized and credited
- The Medical College of Georgia additionally uses course-level categories for GenAI use, with default use falling under documented/disclosed unless faculty specify otherwise
- University-wide, students may not submit AI-generated text for academic work unless an instructor has explicitly permitted it; presenting AI-generated content as one’s own is treated as plagiarism
Plagiarism is prohibited. Plagiarism occurs whenever someone uses another person’s words or ideas,
verbatim or paraphrased, without giving appropriate credit to the source.
It also
includes presenting content generated by artificial intelligence as one’s own. Students should not submit
texts generated in part or full by artificial intelligence unless the instructor has granted explicit permission
to do so (e.g. in the syllabus or on the assignment prompt).
Through the course syllabus and/or direct communication, course directors, module directors
and/or teaching faculty will provide learners with clear expectations for how GenAI may or may
not be used in each learning setting. If expectations are not specifically stated, students should
seek guidance from faculty. In the absence of this guidance, GenAI use for the course falls into
the Documented/Disclosed category described below.
• Documented/Disclosed: GenAI use is allowed, but all usage must be documented and/or
disclosed (e.g., background sections of assignments; responses to questions in small
group or rounds).
4. Original Work: Plagiarism: themes, essays, term papers, tests,
electronic documents and other similar requirements must be
the work of the student submitting the work for credit. There
shall be no use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) to create
assignments, unless specifically authorized and then credited.
- DCG also prohibits unauthorized materials or practices in examinations and protects exam confidentiality
- AI use in exams and assessments is prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the instructor or the applicable program
- University-wide academic honesty rules treat unauthorized assistance on assignments or examinations as misconduct, and MCG expressly disallows GenAI in summative assessments
Collusion also occurs when
a student conspires to violate academic honesty by engaging with any persons, platforms, or companies
that provide unauthorized assistance, written or oral, in the preparation or completion of any activity,
assignment, or examination without permission from the instructor.
• Disallowed: No GenAI use is permitted (e.g., summative assessment).
2. The unauthorized possession or use of any materials,
procedures, practices on any examination, essay, report,
assignment, graded pre-clinical or clinical laboratory project, or
clinical activity for credit or remediation, or which is required
for graduation.
3. Confidentiality of examination material should be maintained.
Accessing examination content prior to testing, breaching the
confidentiality of the examination content or any attempt to
subvert the examination process. Reproduction or attempts to
reproduce examination materials through memorization,
recording or other means in any fashion, organized or
individually, is strictly prohibited.
- Institutionally, Augusta University requires users to verify AI outputs before use
- No university-wide student study-assistance rule beyond those statements is defined in the provided sources
- The Medical College of Georgia permits GenAI as a supplement for learning and study preparation, but not as a replacement for traditional learning or core skill development
GenAI has the potential to deepen a learner’s understanding of medical concepts, assist in study
preparations, and provide simulated clinical experiences. GenAI can be used as a resource supplement to
complement, not replace, traditional learning methods and interactions with faculty and peers.
Learners using GenAI must ensure its
use does not hinder the development of fundamental clinical skills and critical thinking abilities.
* Verify All AI Outputs: AI can "hallucinate" or create fabricated information; always review results before use.
- MCG defines GenAI to include tools that generate code, but course expectations govern whether use is allowed in a given learning setting
- The university does not set a student programming-assignment rule specific to code generation tools, but its AI guidance warns that generated code can contain bugs, vulnerabilities, or logic errors and requires human verification of outputs
• Generative AI (GenAI): GenAI tools are a subset of AI designed to create new content, such as
text, images, music, video, or code, by analyzing input data and identifying patterns.
Through the course syllabus and/or direct communication, course directors, module directors
and/or teaching faculty will provide learners with clear expectations for how GenAI may or may
not be used in each learning setting.
If you are using AI for technical tasks, be aware that generated code may contain bugs, security vulnerabilities, or logic errors.
* Verify All AI Outputs: AI can "hallucinate" or create fabricated information; always review results before use.
Research
- No broader manuscript-preparation rule is otherwise defined in the provided sources
- For research, Augusta University requires transparency about AI use when required by publishers, and users remain responsible for AI-assisted work
- MCG states that any research use of GenAI must be discussed with the principal investigator and must follow oversight or publication-agency guidelines
* Be Transparent: Disclose your use of AI whenever required by instructors or publishers.
* You Remain Responsible: You are ultimately accountable for any work products or decisions produced with AI assistance.
Any use of GenAI in the course of research must be discussed with the principal investigator and
adhere to the guidelines of any oversight or publication agency.
- Research data misrepresentation is prohibited under the academic honesty policy, including falsification, fabrication, or omission of data
- MCG requires any use of GenAI in research to be discussed with the principal investigator and to comply with external oversight or publication guidelines
- AI use involving confidential or personally identifiable university data is restricted to approved services, and public AI tools may not be used for sensitive, confidential, or personal data
Research Misconduct is misrepresentation of data collection and analysis, including falsification,
fabrication, or omission of data. Augusta University’s Policy for Responding to Allegations of Research
Misconduct applies to students.
Any use of GenAI in the course of research must be discussed with the principal investigator and
adhere to the guidelines of any oversight or publication agency.
* Protect University Data: Always classify your data before entering it into any system.
* Prefer Approved Services: Use tools reviewed by AU IT for any non-public data.
Data Type Public AI Tool (Unapproved) AU-Approved Service Third-Party Plugin/Add-on
Public / Unrestricted Allowed Allowed Use Caution
Sensitive Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do not use unless reviewed
Confidential Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do Not Use
Personal (PII) Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do Not Use
- Research integrity rules prohibit misconduct in data collection and analysis, and those rules apply to students
- The institution also stresses disclosure when required by publishers and continued user accountability for AI-assisted work
- MCG requires discussion with the principal investigator before using GenAI in research and requires adherence to oversight or publication-agency guidance
Violations
of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, cheating of all kinds, plagiarism, research misconduct,
collusion, and false statements made to avoid negative academic consequences.
Research Misconduct is misrepresentation of data collection and analysis, including falsification,
fabrication, or omission of data. Augusta University’s Policy for Responding to Allegations of Research
Misconduct applies to students.
Any use of GenAI in the course of research must be discussed with the principal investigator and
adhere to the guidelines of any oversight or publication agency.
* Be Transparent: Disclose your use of AI whenever required by instructors or publishers.
* You Remain Responsible: You are ultimately accountable for any work products or decisions produced with AI assistance.
Academic Integrity
- DCG requires credit when AI use is specifically authorized
- At MCG, some GenAI uses must be documented and/or disclosed, and if faculty do not specify expectations, use defaults to the documented/disclosed category
- Augusta University requires disclosure of AI use when instructors or publishers require it, and academic work must acknowledge indebtedness to other sources
* Be Transparent: Disclose your use of AI whenever required by instructors or publishers.
Such acknowledgment should occur whenever one quotes another person’s words; uses
or traces another person’s ideas, opinions, or theories (even if paraphrased); or borrows facts, statistics,
sounds, images, or other intellectual property or illustrative materials, unless the information is common
knowledge.
• Documented/Disclosed: GenAI use is allowed, but all usage must be documented and/or
disclosed (e.g., background sections of assignments; responses to questions in small
group or rounds).
If expectations are not specifically stated, students should
seek guidance from faculty. In the absence of this guidance, GenAI use for the course falls into
the Documented/Disclosed category described below.
There
shall be no use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) to create
assignments, unless specifically authorized and then credited.
- The provided sources do not define any university stance on AI-detection software
- Enforcement is handled through academic honesty and professionalism processes: misuse of GenAI may be treated as academic dishonesty or a professionalism violation, and undisclosed AI use in academic work may violate academic integrity policies and be considered plagiarism
Misuse of GenAI may
be considered academic dishonesty and/or a professionalism violation.
Within the university, the undisclosed use of AI in academic work may violate our academic integrity policies and be considered plagiarism.
The following procedures apply whenever accusations of academic misconduct are made by a student,
instructor, administrator, or university employee.
Institutional & Administrative
- No specific rule in the provided sources addresses grading, recommendation letters, or similar faculty administrative tasks
- In MCG, faculty are responsible for setting course-level expectations for student GenAI use through syllabi or direct communication
- Institution-wide AI guidance applies to faculty and staff as part of the university community, requiring data classification, use of approved services for non-public data, review of outputs, and transparency where required
These institutional guidelines serve as a framework for our entire community, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff can explore the potential of AI within a secure and ethical environment.
* Protect University Data: Always classify your data before entering it into any system.
* Prefer Approved Services: Use tools reviewed by AU IT for any non-public data.
* Verify All AI Outputs: AI can "hallucinate" or create fabricated information; always review results before use.
* Be Transparent: Disclose your use of AI whenever required by instructors or publishers.
* You Remain Responsible: You are ultimately accountable for any work products or decisions produced with AI assistance.
Through the course syllabus and/or direct communication, course directors, module directors
and/or teaching faculty will provide learners with clear expectations for how GenAI may or may
not be used in each learning setting.
- Augusta University requires users to classify university data before using AI tools and restricts tool choice based on data type
- Confidentiality obligations also apply to records involving students, patients, research participants, employees, and others, and users must protect against unauthorized disclosure
- Public consumer AI tools may only be used with public/unrestricted information, while non-public data must go only into university-approved services if approved for that data type; plugins and add-ons require separate review
Before you begin any project using artificial intelligence, you must identify the type of university data you intend to use. Augusta University classifies data into four categories to help you determine which tools are safe for your specific task.
* Public AI Tools (Unapproved): These are consumer-facing services like the free versions of ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Because data protections may be unclear or subject to change, these may only be used with public, unrestricted information.
* University-Approved AI Services: These tools, including Microsoft Copilot and Box, have been reviewed by AU IT and include strict security safeguards and data handling commitments.
* Third-Party Add-ons and Plugins: These include browser extensions and meeting transcription bots. These represent the highest risk for data leakage and require a separate IT review before use.
Data Type Public AI Tool (Unapproved) AU-Approved Service Third-Party Plugin/Add-on
Public / Unrestricted Allowed Allowed Use Caution
Sensitive Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do not use unless reviewed
Confidential Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do Not Use
Personal (PII) Do Not Enter Only if approved for type Do Not Use
Note that public tools like the free versions of ChatGPT or Gemini should only be used with public information. For any work involving sensitive university data, always utilize university-approved services like Microsoft Copilot.
Important: Approval of a main platform does not automatically approve every plugin, bot, or connector added to it. Each integration must be evaluated separately.
Augusta University and its affiliated entities maintain strict confidentiality and security of paper and electronic
records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act (GPIPA), in addition to
other federal and state laws.
As an individual with access to
confidential information at any of our institutions, you are required to protect against unauthorized access and
disclosure, to ensure the privacy and security of records, and to report any suspected or known threats or violations
related to this confidential information.
- The sources do not name a formal AI committee or detailed roadmap
- The university presents institutional guidelines for the whole community and identifies five core principles to guide AI use
- Augusta University has an institution-wide AI framework focused on responsible adoption, data protection, academic integrity, transparency, and accountability
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn, teach, and research. At Augusta University, we are committed to leveraging these powerful tools responsibly to expand the boundaries of higher education.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of higher education, redefining the ways we teach, conduct research, and collaborate. Augusta University is dedicated to embracing these advancements with a focus on responsibility—fostering innovation while strictly safeguarding university data and upholding the highest standards of academic integrity.
These institutional guidelines serve as a framework for our entire community, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff can explore the potential of AI within a secure and ethical environment.
Our core approach is built on five fundamental principles that ensure AI use aligns with our values of academic excellence and ethical conduct:
* Protect University Data: Always classify your data before entering it into any system.
* Prefer Approved Services: Use tools reviewed by AU IT for any non-public data.
* Verify All AI Outputs: AI can "hallucinate" or create fabricated information; always review results before use.
* Be Transparent: Disclose your use of AI whenever required by instructors or publishers.
* You Remain Responsible: You are ultimately accountable for any work products or decisions produced with AI assistance.
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 Augusta State University's AI Policies
Augusta State University has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
Augusta University requires disclosure of AI use when instructors or publishers require it, and academic work must acknowledge indebtedness to other sources. At MCG, some GenAI uses must be documented and/or disclosed, and if faculty do not specify expectations, use defaults to the documented/disclosed category. DCG requires credit when AI use is specifically authorized.
The provided sources do not define any university stance on AI-detection software. Enforcement is handled through academic honesty and professionalism processes: misuse of GenAI may be treated as academic dishonesty or a professionalism violation, and undisclosed AI use in academic work may violate academic integrity policies and be considered plagiarism.
Augusta University requires users to classify university data before using AI tools and restricts tool choice based on data type. Public consumer AI tools may only be used with public/unrestricted information, while non-public data must go only into university-approved services if approved for that data type; plugins and add-ons require separate review. Confidentiality obligations also apply to records involving students, patients, research participants, employees, and others, and users must protect against unauthorized disclosure.