Teaching & Learning
- When AI use is permitted, students must properly acknowledge and cite the contribution of AI/external sources, and students remain responsible for the submitted work
- Use of AI tools for coursework and assignments is at instructor discretion and generally not permitted unless the instructor provides written permission (e.g., via syllabus or assignment instructions)
The use of AI tools is not permitted without the written permission of the instructor for a given course. For example, this written permission may come in the form of detailed expectations within the course syllabi or assignment instructions.
If and when an instructor has permitted the use of AI tools in a specific course, students are expected to provide proper acknowledgement of the contribution of these external sources.
The AI Framework for Brandeis Students is a useful tool to consider how and when to use generative AI for assignments, other coursework, or research. Students are responsible for the content of work submitted in courses.
Before you use generative AI tools in your assignments and research, double check that you are allowed to do so.
If you are not allowed to use generative AI in your course, assignment, or research, do not risk it!
HAVE YOU APPROPRIATELY CITED OR DOCUMENTED YOUR AI USE?
Generative AI output must be openly documented and cited.
- The exams policy applies equally to in-class, take-home, and open-book examinations
- Use of AI technology during exams is prohibited when it is not authorized; possession or use of unauthorized AI technology during an examination is defined as an infringement of academic honesty
Possession or use of unauthorized materials, equipment, or technology, including but not limited to course materials, notes, cell phones, LMS platforms, electronic messaging software, webpages, calculators, or artificial intelligence technology during an examination constitutes an infringement of academic honesty.
All policies regarding examinations apply to take-home and open-book examinations.
Note: All policies regarding examinations apply to in class, take-home, and open-book examinations.
- Students are encouraged to engage with instructors to understand expectations, and are reminded they remain responsible for AI output and should verify it
- The university provides a student-facing framework recommending students confirm whether generative AI is allowed by their professor before use, including for course-related work
IS GENERATIVE AI USE ALLOWED BY YOUR PROFESSOR?
Before you use generative AI tools in your assignments and research, double check that you are allowed to do so.
HAVE YOU CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED THE OUTPUT?
If you are using generative AI tools YOU are still responsible for the output.
With this, it is important that students are able to engage with their instructor to best understand their expectations.
- Using generative AI to produce code for coursework is treated as part of AI use in course assignments and is not permitted unless the instructor allows it
- The student AI framework specifically cautions against using AI to generate entire sections of code, and emphasizes that AI should be used as a tool rather than thinking for the student
The use of AI tools is not permitted without the written permission of the instructor for a given course.
If you are using a tool to think for you (provide complete answers, full written pieces, or entire sections of code) you may want to rethink your approach.
Treat generative AI as a tool to help you, instead.
Research
- Use of AI in preparing publications and grant proposals may be restricted by publisher and funder policies
- Researchers are instructed not to solely rely on AI-generated content for research conclusions and to critically evaluate AI-generated content
AI-generated content should be critically evaluated and not solely relied upon for research conclusions.
The use of AI in preparing publications and grant proposals may be restricted by publisher and funder policies.
- Researchers using AI for human subjects research or associated data analysis must consult with the Brandeis Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)
- The AI acceptable use policy also states that regulated/restricted/confidential data should not be input into AI tools without proper safeguards and approvals
Any researcher planning to use AI as part of their Human Subjects Research or associated data analysis must consult with the Brandeis Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
Regulated, restricted, and confidential data should never be input into AI tools without proper safeguards and approvals.
- The AI acceptable use policy emphasizes ethical use, critical evaluation, and researcher accountability for AI-related mistakes
- It requires HRPP consultation for human subjects research involving AI, and notes that publisher and funder policies may restrict AI use in publications and grant proposals
Researchers are encouraged to ensure that AI tools are used ethically, maintaining the integrity and originality of their work.
Using AI with preprints or data sets can produce unintentional mistakes, and the author, not the technology, is accountable.
Any researcher planning to use AI as part of their Human Subjects Research or associated data analysis must consult with the Brandeis Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
The use of AI in preparing publications and grant proposals may be restricted by publisher and funder policies.
Academic Integrity
- The Rights & Responsibilities policy also frames a student's name on written work as a representation of independent work produced without assistance (including AI) unless authorized, with sources accurately acknowledged
- When AI tools are permitted by the instructor for a course, students are expected to provide proper acknowledgement and citations for AI/external source contributions, and the student AI framework states that generative AI output must be openly documented and cited
If and when an instructor has permitted the use of AI tools in a specific course, students are expected to provide proper acknowledgement of the contribution of these external sources.
Please use this link for additional information on proper citations for artificial intelligence:
https://guides.library.brandeis.edu/citeai.
HAVE YOU APPROPRIATELY CITED OR DOCUMENTED YOUR AI USE?
Generative AI output must be openly documented and cited.
Any such work must be stated in the student’s own words and produced without the assistance of others, including, but not limited to artificial intelligence (unless specifically authorized in writing by the instructor), except where quotation marks, references, or footnotes accurately acknowledge the use of sources, including sources found on the Internet.
- Instructors may require students to submit work to plagiarism detection software
- Enforcement of the AI acceptable use policy is handled under existing university procedures for academic and administrative misconduct
Violations of this policy will be addressed in accordance with existing university procedures for academic and administrative misconduct.
Instructors may require students to submit work to plagiarism detection software.
Institutional & Administrative
- Instructors are directed to include an AI policy in their syllabi and to discuss with students how AI can be used, recognizing disciplinary differences
- Staff are encouraged to explore AI tools to enhance efficiency in administrative tasks, but must adhere to data privacy/security standards and must use University-approved AI tools when using University data or request new tools through the appropriate university committees
Under this policy, there will be disciplinary differences in how AI is integrated into coursework depending on learning objectives. Instructors should include a policy in all their syllabi regarding the use (and misuse) of generative AI in their courses and dedicate some time in class discussing the reasons for how AI can be used.
Staff are also encouraged to explore AI tools to enhance efficiency in administrative tasks, such as data analysis, scheduling, and communication, or in larger projects and initiatives, while adhering to Brandeis' data privacy and security standards.
Employees are required to use University-approved and provided AI tools if using University data or make requests for new tools through the IT Advisory Committee (ITAC) for Operational & Administrative AI technologies or the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) for academic-use and research AI technologies.
- AI applications must comply with Brandeis data governance and cybersecurity policies, and use of regulated/restricted/confidential information requires authorization and safeguards
- Brandeis identifies enterprise-protected AI tools (Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Zoom when logged in with a @brandeis.edu account), warns that other products do not guarantee the same level of protection, and lists examples of data that should not be used in AI (e.g., PII/PHI/FERPA, research data with use agreements, confidential information)
All AI applications must comply with Brandeis' data governance protocols and cybersecurity policies. Use of regulated, restricted, or confidential information in AI tools requires appropriate authorization and safeguards.
Regulated, restricted, and confidential data should never be input into AI tools without proper safeguards and approvals.
Enterprise Data Protection ensures that your data is not viewed or accessible to anyone but you. This means that AI platforms with these protections do not share your data, including uploaded documents or AI output in any way. Brandeis currently provides three tools with Enterprise Data Protection, including Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Zoom, as long as you log in with your @brandeis.edu account.
Please be aware that any other product, even if using a "pro", "paid-for" version, or a product that allows you to "opt-out" of data usage and collection, do not guarantee this level of protection.
Examples of Data That Should Not Be Used in AI
* Regulated Data: PII (Personal Identifiable Information), PHI (Personal Health Information), FERPA data, HIPAA, data protected under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
* Research Data that contains use agreements
* Confidential information such as financial, security configurations
- The Council will periodically review and update the policy
- Brandeis has an AI Steering Council responsible for the university's AI acceptable use policy, which aims to support innovation while safeguarding institutional values
- The policy also outlines procurement and approval pathways for new AI tools through the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) and the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC)
This policy establishes guidelines for the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies within Brandeis University. It aims to support innovation in teaching, learning, research, and administration while safeguarding academic integrity, data privacy, and institutional values. This policy will be revisited and updated as AI evolves.
The AI Steering Council will periodically review and update this policy to reflect technological advancements and emerging best practices.
Departments seeking to acquire AI tools must follow the university's procurement policies and obtain necessary approvals from the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) or the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC).
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 Brandeis University's AI Policies
Brandeis University has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
When AI tools are permitted by the instructor for a course, students are expected to provide proper acknowledgement and citations for AI/external source contributions, and the student AI framework states that generative AI output must be openly documented and cited. The Rights & Responsibilities policy also frames a student's name on written work as a representation of independent work produced without assistance (including AI) unless authorized, with sources accurately acknowledged.
Enforcement of the AI acceptable use policy is handled under existing university procedures for academic and administrative misconduct. Instructors may require students to submit work to plagiarism detection software.
AI applications must comply with Brandeis data governance and cybersecurity policies, and use of regulated/restricted/confidential information requires authorization and safeguards. Brandeis identifies enterprise-protected AI tools (Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Zoom when logged in with a @brandeis.edu account), warns that other products do not guarantee the same level of protection, and lists examples of data that should not be used in AI (e.g., PII/PHI/FERPA, research data with use agreements, confidential information).