Howard University AI Policy

Schools and colleges, as well as departments and faculty should develop their own policies regarding the use of AI tools in accordance with the research, writing, and citation expectations of the different disciplines housed within each school or college. There will likely be no one size fits all approach for deciding how AI technologies should or can be used for particular forms of research or learning.

a. To ensure all students have an equal opportunity to succeed and to preserve the integrity of the coursework, students are not permitted to submit text that is generated by artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Claude, Google Bard, Lexis+AI and Westlaw Precision with Gen AI, or any other automated assistance, for any coursework. This includes submitting assignments, exams, or projects in which the text in whole or in part was generated using AI.

• As such, the School of Social Work does not endorse, condone or accept the use of AI for the completion of student assignments.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, etc.) is not permitted in any form for any assignment, assessment, or evaluation unless explicit, written permission is granted by the Course Director.

But there should be a clear and understood set of parameters and expectations for usage of such tools that clearly outline penalties for violation of such expectations regarding academic work within the classroom, department, college, and university.

a. To ensure all students have an equal opportunity to succeed and to preserve the integrity of the coursework, students are not permitted to submit text that is generated by artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Claude, Google Bard, Lexis+AI and Westlaw Precision with Gen AI, or any other automated assistance, for any coursework. This includes submitting assignments, exams, or projects in which the text in whole or in part was generated using AI.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, etc.) is not permitted in any form for any assignment, assessment, or evaluation unless explicit, written permission is granted by the Course Director.

• Students should be aware that software to detect AI may be used by any instructor for any and all assignments.

Schools, Colleges, instructors, and students should all participate in creating policies and guided materials that emphasize the value of intellectual and rigorous processes for learning and provide ethical guidelines for using such technologies as resources rather than replacements for intellectual work.

b. Students are encouraged to use AI as part of their learning and research in ways similar to search engines such as Google, for correction of grammar, and for other functions attendant to completing an assignment.

e. Students should be aware that using AI may undermine your ability to develop critical thinking, writing, or research skills that are essential for completing coursework and for your academic success. Students should also be aware of the potential risks and limitations of using AI as a tool for learning and research. AI systems can provide helpful information or suggestions, but they are not always reliable or accurate. AI systems are also vulnerable to leaks of users’ sensitive and confidential information. Students should critically evaluate the sources, methods, and outputs of AI systems.

Schools and colleges, as well as departments and faculty should develop their own policies regarding the use of AI tools in accordance with the research, writing, and citation expectations of the different disciplines housed within each school or college. There will likely be no one size fits all approach for deciding how AI technologies should or can be used for particular forms of research or learning.

AI-tools tend to “scrape” or take information from a variety of unnamed sources to produce content or products. Users should be aware of this fact because AI tools can produce false, unverifiable, and confusing content or false images or products for which users are responsible for correcting such misleading information and providing verified sources for the documents or products developed using these tools.

A. Research Misconduct: Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research or in reported research results.

1. Fabrication is making up results and recording or reporting them.

2. Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes or changing or omitting data or results such that the Research is not accurately represented in the research record.

Howard University (“the University” or “HU”) upholds the scientific method in the conduct of research and is unequivocally committed to the ethical conduct of research by its personnel and students. Individuals charged with supervision of research and all individuals directly engaged in research and collaborators of researchers outside their laboratories bear obligations to pursue their studies ethically. All researchers bear

A. Research Misconduct: Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research or in reported research results.

3. Plagiarism is appropriating another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit, including those obtained through confidential review of other’s research proposals and manuscripts.

## Promote an ethic of transparency around any use of AI text

Schools, Colleges, instructors, and students should all participate in creating policies and guided materials that emphasize the value of intellectual and rigorous processes for learning and provide ethical guidelines for using such technologies as resources rather than replacements for intellectual work.

c. Any student using AI must disclose the system used and cite the source and content obtained.

When AI is permitted, its use must be cited and attributed appropriately by including the name of the AI platform and the date when the information was accessed. Failure to properly cite and attribute the use of AI tools is considered plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty is a clear concern related to such technologies. According to the Academic Code of Student Conduct, it is a cause for concern when students submit work for assessment as their own, which has been substantially created using artificial intelligence tools or other content-generating tools without obtaining permission from the instructor.

Any instructor has the right to inquire about a student's authorship of AI-related work, while at the same time, selected students also have the liberty to defend themselves against such allegations.

But there should be a clear and understood set of parameters and expectations for usage of such tools that clearly outline penalties for violation of such expectations regarding academic work within the classroom, department, college, and university.

• Students should be aware that software to detect AI may be used by any instructor for any and all assignments.

• Assignments with more than 20% detectable AI content will be considered plagiarized, with the associated penalties.

To better assure the realization of this goal any student enrolled for study at the University may be disciplined for the academic infractions defined below.

Below is information and recommendations for learning and engaging these tools within academic settings by faculty, students, and other University stakeholders.

Schools, Colleges, instructors, and students should all participate in creating policies and guided materials that emphasize the value of intellectual and rigorous processes for learning and provide ethical guidelines for using such technologies as resources rather than replacements for intellectual work.

These technologies are relatively new to the general public and should be subject to responsible exploration and experimentation by both instructors and students within the classroom environments.

Privacy remains an important consideration for all of these technologies as the collection and use of user information and habits has become a default setting within most of these tools. One should assume that information shared with generative AI tools is not private and one should be mindful of what sensitive information may be made accessible through usage of these AI tools and programs.

Summary: This Research Security Policy establishes standardized and simplified guidance to the Howard University community on the handling of unclassified information that requires safeguarding, or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and government-wide policies. It guides the handling, marking, protecting, destroying, and decontrolling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) for Howard University, subject to designating agency regulations.

This Policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, and contractor employees who may encounter CUI in the performance of official duties at Howard University and Affiliates.

* Protecting the integrity and privacy of personal, financial, and other confidential information stored on systems and networks they administer.

Howard AI is our bold, interdisciplinary engine for ethical, transformative artificial intelligence, educating the next generation of AI leaders, accelerating breakthrough research, and deploying responsible technologies that uplift communities, drive operational excellence, and advance our nation’s progress.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative supports the development and implementation of Howard AI across Howard University and harnesses the transformative potential of AI for the betterment of society.

There are 4 pillars guiding this initiative:

* Ethics and Societal Benefits

* Research and Innovation

* Education and Workforce Development

* Operational Efficiency

As a key component of this initiative, the President’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council (AIAC) provides direction and guidance on AI implementation throughout the institution, including academic programs, University offices and units, and strategic planning activities.

The President’s AI Advisory Council (AIAC) provides direction and implementation regarding AI throughout the institution in academic programs, University offices and units, and strategic planning activities. Made up of leaders from across the campus, the AIAC catalyzes interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships to develop and implement AI across the academy, in support of the AI Initiative.

The AI Strategy & Governance Subcommittee focuses on shaping Howard University's AI strategy by promoting access to advanced technologies, evaluating investments, and engaging stakeholders in AI development. It stewards governance, emphasizing ethical AI use, IT and data governance processes, and institutional guidelines. The goal is to develop a strategy to optimize the use and development of AI while providing a governance structure that fosters ethical and responsible AI.

The AI Capacity & Expertise Subcommittee subcommittee focuses on building AI literacy and expertise across Howard University. It evaluates and promotes AI understanding among students, faculty, staff, and leadership. The subcommittee supports staff development in evaluating, implementing, and managing AI tools and explores opportunities for AI training and development for students, faculty, staff, and leadership.