Teaching & Learning
- At the university level, unapproved AI use in assigned written work is treated as cheating under the academic integrity regulation
- ECU also provides course-level sample policies showing that assignment use may be allowed with acknowledgment, allowed only with prior instructor permission, or prohibited, so the operational rule can be at instructor discretion depending on the course
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to: unauthorized copying from another student’s work during an academic assignment; receiving unauthorized assistance during an academic assignment; using unauthorized materials such as books, notes, or other devices; improperly disseminating or obtaining test or examination questions or answers; unapproved use of artificial intelligence to generate assigned written material, collaborating on academic work without authorization and/or without truthful disclosure of the extent of that collaboration; allowing or directing a substitute to complete academic work.
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools such as Copilot, Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT continue to evolve, faculty will need to manage the use of these technologies in their courses. The Distance Education and Learning Technology Committee has collaborated with library faculty and the Office of Digital Learning and Emerging Technology Initiatives to provide recommended section specific course language regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in courses.
Below are the suggested statements, which can be modified to fit your course.
Students are allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT or Dall-E 2) on assignments in this course if that use is properly documented and credited. Students should seek out the appropriate source (e.g., MLA, APA, etc..) and cite in the most correct format according to the style guide. Note, online style guides are being updated continually to include new sources such as ChatGPT.
If a tool is used in an assignment, students must also include a brief (2-3 sentences) description of how they used the tool, in addition to citing the use of any tool used.
Students are allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT or Dall-E 2) on assignments in this course if instructor permission is obtained in advance. Unless given permission to use those tools, each student is expected to complete each assignment without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.
Students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT or Dall-E 2) on assignments in this course. Each student is expected to complete each assignment without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.
- University academic integrity rules prohibit unauthorized assistance and unauthorized materials on academic work, which includes exams and testing
- In the Brody School of Medicine policy, AI is expressly forbidden in proctored assessments, and faculty must declare the AI tier for each assessment
2.1.1. Cheating: Unauthorized aid or unauthorized assistance or the giving or receiving of an unauthorized advantage on any form of academic work, whether graded or otherwise.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to: unauthorized copying from another student’s work during an academic assignment; receiving unauthorized assistance during an academic assignment; using unauthorized materials such as books, notes, or other devices; improperly disseminating or obtaining test or examination questions or answers; unapproved use of artificial intelligence to generate assigned written material, collaborating on academic work without authorization and/or without truthful disclosure of the extent of that collaboration; allowing or directing a substitute to complete academic work.
– Declare the AI tier for each assignment or assessment.
– Never use AI on Red-tier assignments or in proctored assessments.
Every graded assignment must list its AI tier (Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3) in syllabi, LMS, or verbally.
Level 3 (No AI Assistance Permitted): “No generative AI tools may be used to create, draft, or refine your submission for this assignment. You may not consult AI during closed-book or proctored assessments. You may not submit AI-generated answers as your own. You may not enter PHI or identifiable peer/faculty content into any AI tool. Violations will be addressed under Academic Integrity and Professionalism policies.”
- ECU encourages using AI to support learning rather than replace independent thinking
- In the Brody School of Medicine policy, personal study aids are allowed in Level 1 use and ungraded personal study aids do not require verification; however, specific use can still depend on the declared AI tier for the course or assignment
Learning requires engaging in critical thinking and practice yourself. Use AI to enhance understanding, not as a shortcut.
Level 1 (AI Support Allowed): “You may use generative AI for brainstorming, outlining, clarity/grammar improvement, formatting to a provided structure, translation for understanding, drafting routine professional emails, and personal study aids (your own summaries, flashcards, practice questions). If AI does not add new facts or citations and the final wording is yours, no disclosure is required.”
Not required for grammar, tone, formatting, or ungraded personal study aids.
Research
- The research guidance frames this as disclosure- and publisher-policy-driven rather than blanket prohibition or blanket permission
- ECU does not set a single mandatory university-wide rule for AI use in research manuscript writing in the provided sources, but it directs researchers to follow journal and publisher disclosure requirements and to acknowledge AI assistance in manuscripts when required
### Publication and Disclosure Requirements
* Many journals now require authors to disclose the use of AI tools (e.g., generative AI, machine learning).
* Review publisher policies and ensure proper acknowledgment of AI assistance in research manuscripts.
- Research data use is subject to university data governance and protected-data restrictions, including assessment of whether data includes PHI, student data, or other sensitive categories
- ECU permits exploration of AI in research but requires researchers to be transparent about data collection, model development, and interpretation of results, and to support reproducibility where possible
ECU has guidelines on the use of AI in research, as outlined in our Institutional Data and AI Guidelines. The University recognizes the potential of generative AI to advance research, development, and education.
ECU encourages exploration of these technologies while reminding users to protect shared data and comply with copyright laws, regulations, and university policies on academic integrity and conduct.
### Responsible Conduct of AI Research
* Maintain transparency in data collection, AI model development, and interpretation of results.
* Ensure research reproducibility and avoid “black box” models when possible.
### Data Privacy and Compliance
* Assess whether your data involves protected health information (PHI), student data, or other sensitive categories.
* Follow regulations such as HIPAA, FERPA, and data governance requirements and the Use of Generative AI Regulation at ECU.
For Levels 2, 3, and 4 – Protected Institutional Data:
Only generative AI products or services that are run offline and locally on ECU managed devices or are listed on the Sensitive Data Storage and Transmission website are authorized to process protected institutional data.
Use of protected data with other generative AI products or services could violate state or federal statutes such as HIPAA and FERPA and/or University regulations.
- ECU instructs researchers to address ethics, security, and transparency when using AI in research and grant proposals
- The university also separates research misconduct from the student academic integrity process, and the Brody medical education AI policy explicitly excludes research uses because they are governed by separate IRB and research integrity policies
### Responsible Conduct of AI Research
* Maintain transparency in data collection, AI model development, and interpretation of results.
* Ensure research reproducibility and avoid “black box” models when possible.
### AI Use in Grant Proposals
* Clearly describe how AI tools will be used in funded projects.
* Address ethical considerations and data security plans in proposals.
1.2.2. ECU’s policy on research misconduct is a separate and independent process from the process outlined in this Regulation. The determinations, results, procedures, and outcomes of the Research Misconduct Proceedings shall rely on ECU’s PRR on the Regulation on Research Misconduct. Cases and questions related to Research Misconduct shall be reported to the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance.
– Excludes research uses governed by separate IRB and research integrity policies.
Academic Integrity
- ECU requires truthful disclosure when collaboration or AI use is authorized under course policies, and undisclosed unauthorized AI use can be treated as cheating
- Course-level recommended language requires citation plus a brief description of tool use, while the Brody School of Medicine requires a Methods Note for Level 2 assignments and no disclosure for certain Level 1 uses
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to: unauthorized copying from another student’s work during an academic assignment; receiving unauthorized assistance during an academic assignment; using unauthorized materials such as books, notes, or other devices; improperly disseminating or obtaining test or examination questions or answers; unapproved use of artificial intelligence to generate assigned written material, collaborating on academic work without authorization and/or without truthful disclosure of the extent of that collaboration; allowing or directing a substitute to complete academic work.
Students are allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT or Dall-E 2) on assignments in this course if that use is properly documented and credited. Students should seek out the appropriate source (e.g., MLA, APA, etc..) and cite in the most correct format according to the style guide. Note, online style guides are being updated continually to include new sources such as ChatGPT.
If a tool is used in an assignment, students must also include a brief (2-3 sentences) description of how they used the tool, in addition to citing the use of any tool used.
– Submit a brief Methods Note for Level 2 assignments.
Level 1 – AI supports clarity and structure; grammar, outlines, formatting. No disclosure required.
Level 2 – AI contributes to content or summaries; background text, tables, slides. Requires Methods Note.
Methods Note for Level 2-tier work:
Tool used, what AI generated, one verification step.
- ECU warns instructors to consider the risks of mistrust and surveillance before using AI detection tools, rather than endorsing them as a primary enforcement mechanism
- Undisclosed or unapproved AI use may be handled through academic integrity procedures, with penalties under student conduct or unit-specific processes; Brody medical education violations are addressed through existing academic integrity and professionalism pathways
## Important Note on AI Detection Tools
Consider the implications of mistrust and surveillance when considering using AI detection technologies. Focusing on pedagogical approaches and learning about AI technologies contributes to a supportive student learning environment.
Any faculty, staff or student found to be in violation of this regulation will be subject to the penalties outlined in the ECU Employee Code of Conduct , ECU Faculty Manual and the Student Conduct Process .
Units may also establish additional penalties for AIVs. For example, medical students, dental students, graduate students, student athletes, resident advisors, student organization leaders, and students residing in the residence halls may also be subject to additional penalties under the standards set by those units.
Violations should be reported to the Office of Medical Education or Office of Student Affairs, and will be addressed under existing Academic Integrity and Professionalism policies.
Violations follow existing Academic Integrity and Professionalism pathways.
Institutional & Administrative
- ECU expects faculty to manage AI use in their courses and provides editable sample syllabus language rather than one single university classroom rule
- In the Brody School of Medicine, faculty and staff may use AI for teaching preparation and narrative feedback, but human review is required for factual instructional content, final grading, and released feedback; autonomous grading and AI-determined pass/fail are prohibited
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools such as Copilot, Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT continue to evolve, faculty will need to manage the use of these technologies in their courses. The Distance Education and Learning Technology Committee has collaborated with library faculty and the Office of Digital Learning and Emerging Technology Initiatives to provide recommended section specific course language regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in courses.
Below are the suggested statements, which can be modified to fit your course.
### Faculty / Course Directors / Staff:
– Declare the AI tier for each assignment or assessment.
– Review AI-generated materials for accuracy, bias, and professionalism.
– Avoid uploading PHI or identifiable data to non-approved tools.
– Ensure equitable access to at least one approved AI tool.
– Provide equivalent non-AI learning options when AI use is encouraged.
Level 1 (Faculty): Draft rubrics/checklists; polish slide grammar/formatting; reorganize content for accessibility; convert text to plain language.
Level 2 (Faculty): Generate first‑pass teaching cases, slide bullets, practice or exam questions, or study guides; synthesize themes from non‑identifiable learner misconceptions.
Required checks before use (when applicable):
(1) Accuracy vs current guidelines/texts;
(2) Bias review (avoid stereotypes; inclusive language);
(3) Sensitivity review (avoid near‑PHI; remove identifiable or distressing details);
(4) Clarity rewrite in instructor’s voice. These checks apply when AI‑generated content conveys facts, numbers, or clinical reasoning used directly in instruction. If AI output is used only as scaffolding/formatting and is fully rewritten by the instructor, the checks may be abbreviated.
Permitted (Level 2): Drafting narrative feedback (comment banks personalized by instructor), clustering themes, suggesting rubric‑aligned comments.
Required: Instructor reviews/edits/approves; ensure fairness; do not upload student work to non‑approved tools.
Prohibited (Level 3): Autonomous grading; AI‑determined pass/fail; releasing feedback without human review; uploading grades or student artifacts to non‑approved tools.
Syllabus/Policy line: “AI may assist instructors in drafting narrative feedback; final grades and comments are determined by the instructor after human review. Student work will not be uploaded to non‑approved tools.”
- ECU has a formal data-based AI use regulation
- Additional unit guidance includes recommended AI platforms for social media use only with Level 1 public data, and Brody medical education limits approved-tool use to non-sensitive educational use and bars PHI entry into unapproved tools
- Any AI tool may be used with Level 1 public data, but protected institutional data at Levels 2-4 may only be processed by offline/local tools on ECU-managed devices or tools specifically listed as authorized; passphrases must not be used with AI products lacking ECU single sign-on integration, and no exceptions are approved without a contract
For Level 1 – Public Data:
Any generative AI product or service is allowed.
For Levels 2, 3, and 4 – Protected Institutional Data:
Only generative AI products or services that are run offline and locally on ECU managed devices or are listed on the Sensitive Data Storage and Transmission website are authorized to process protected institutional data.
Use of protected data with other generative AI products or services could violate state or federal statutes such as HIPAA and FERPA and/or University regulations.
Passphrases must never be used with generative AI products or services that are not integrated with ECU’s single sign-on service.
* Most generative AI products or services should be considered public facing. Never share any sensitive, personal, or institutional data other than what is outlined on the Sensitive Storage and Transmission web site.
No exceptions to this regulation will be approved until a contract is in place with the generative AI parent company.
Any procurement of a generative AI product or service must go through the Technology Purchase Process.
Approved AI platforms may only be used to process Level 1 (public) institutional data.
Microsoft Copilot meets the baseline access requirement for non-sensitive educational use.
Courses may restrict to specific approved tools for fairness.
Until PHI-approved tools exist, assume no PHI entry is permitted.
- ECU has an institution-level AI strategy focused on learner success, research and innovation, and operational efficiency, with an emphasis on responsible, secure, and strategically focused adoption
- The university also has a formal governance regulation for AI use with institutional data, and the Brody School of Medicine policy identifies an owner and review cycle for its unit-level AI governance
### Harnessing AI is critical to ECU’s strategic direction of Future Focused, Innovation Driven.
At ECU we are exploring and experimenting with AI by building the foundations necessary to drive transformation in a responsible, secure, and strategically focused way across academics, research, and institutional operations.
Priority 1: AI for Learner Success
We will adopt a learner-centered approach that integrates AI experiences across academic and experiential settings, fostering AI competency within each field of study and empowering students to become leaders in the workforce of the future.
Priority 2: AI for Research, Discovery, and Innovation
We will leverage artificial intelligence to enhance ECU’s research competitiveness, accelerate discovery, and expand the societal impact of scholarship across disciplines.
Priority 3: AI for Operational Efficiency and Institutional Growth
We will build AI into our core infrastructure, processes, governance, and technologies to improve fiscal health, increase operational efficiency, and support the workforce of the future.
The purpose of this document is to state the University’s requirements regarding the use of Generative AI tools with public and institutional data. This regulation provides guidelines that safeguard academic integrity, protect intellectual property, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
Owner: Office of Medical Education, with Compliance and IT Security.
Review: every 36 months, or sooner if platform or regulatory changes occur.
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 East Carolina University's AI Policies
East Carolina University has defined AI policies in 11 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 92%.
ECU requires truthful disclosure when collaboration or AI use is authorized under course policies, and undisclosed unauthorized AI use can be treated as cheating. Course-level recommended language requires citation plus a brief description of tool use, while the Brody School of Medicine requires a Methods Note for Level 2 assignments and no disclosure for certain Level 1 uses.
ECU warns instructors to consider the risks of mistrust and surveillance before using AI detection tools, rather than endorsing them as a primary enforcement mechanism. Undisclosed or unapproved AI use may be handled through academic integrity procedures, with penalties under student conduct or unit-specific processes; Brody medical education violations are addressed through existing academic integrity and professionalism pathways.
ECU has a formal data-based AI use regulation. Any AI tool may be used with Level 1 public data, but protected institutional data at Levels 2-4 may only be processed by offline/local tools on ECU-managed devices or tools specifically listed as authorized; passphrases must not be used with AI products lacking ECU single sign-on integration, and no exceptions are approved without a contract. Additional unit guidance includes recommended AI platforms for social media use only with Level 1 public data, and Brody medical education limits approved-tool use to non-sensitive educational use and bars PHI entry into unapproved tools.