London South Bank University AI Policy

4.1 Students may use AI tools to support their learning, provided that their use is ethical, responsible, and consistent with LSBU regulations. AI should be used as a support mechanism only, not as a replacement for independent thinking, research, or original work.

4.2 Students must not use AI tools in ways that undermine academic integrity. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:

4.2.1 Submitting AI-generated text, images, code, or other content as original work.

4.2.2 Copying and pasting AI outputs into the assessment as a substitute for original work. AI-generated text may only be included where required for evaluation or analysis and must always be clearly acknowledged and referenced.

4.2.3 Using AI tools as a substitute for independent thinking, research, or critical analysis.

5.3 Staff must provide clear instructions in coursework briefs and module guides on the permitted or required use of AI in each assessment.

4.9 Students must comply with any additional AI-related requirements or guidance set out in course specifications, module guides, or coursework briefs.

5.3 Staff must provide clear instructions in coursework briefs and module guides on the permitted or required use of AI in each assessment.

4.3 Students must declare any use of AI tools in assessments through the LSBU Originality and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Statement (or equivalent form provided in the module).

1.2 Academic misconduct refers to an attempt to cheat in an assessment. This can take a number of different forms, including plagiarism (including the use of generative AI, such as ChatGPT and similar programs), infringement of rules for examination candidates, contract cheating which occurs when a student arranges for another individual or generative AI to do their academic work, or attempting to assist another student to gain improper advantage (for example uploading essays to ‘essay banks’).

4.1 Students may use AI tools to support their learning, provided that their use is ethical, responsible, and consistent with LSBU regulations. AI should be used as a support mechanism only, not as a replacement for independent thinking, research, or original work. Permitted uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

4.1.1 Generating ideas, study questions, or explanations to aid their understanding.

4.1.2 Supporting study skills such as summarising, planning, or organising information.

4.1.3 Receiving formative feedback on drafts or practice work, following the instructions and guidance provided by staff.

4.1.4 Exploring alternative perspectives or approaches to a topic.

4.1.5 Practicing the evaluation of accuracy, reliability, and bias in AI outputs.

4.2.6 Failing to critically evaluate AI outputs for accuracy, reliability, and bias, including cultural or linguistic bias and the risk of reinforcing stereotypes.

4.2.1 Submitting AI-generated text, images, code, or other content as original work.

4.2.2 Copying and pasting AI outputs into the assessment as a substitute for original work. AI-generated text may only be included where required for evaluation or analysis and must always be clearly acknowledged and referenced.

5.3 Staff must provide clear instructions in coursework briefs and module guides on the permitted or required use of AI in each assessment.

5.21 Staff must ensure that any use of AI in research outputs is transparently acknowledged in line with disciplinary and publishing standards.

5.19 Staff should exercise academic judgement, remain critical and exercise caution when using outputs from generative AI tools, paying particular attention to information that is falsified, plagiarised or misrepresented or biased.

The use of AI in content creation should be declared in resulting outputs to ensure transparency.

Care must be taken to use AI critically given its limitations with accuracy and transparency (e.g., AI software is known to fabricate results and often fails to attribute ideas to its authors). While AI can support researchers’ and students’ ability to communicate in written non-native languages it is paramount that research teams use critical reasoning during its use.

5.18 Staff must comply with LSBU research ethics processes, intellectual property and data protection legislation when using AI tools in research.

5.20 Staff must not input identifiable, sensitive, or confidential research data into external AI tools unless explicitly authorised through LSBU’s ethical approval process.

Care must be taken to ensure data handling by AI complies with data protection regulations and ethical frameworks (anonymity and consent). Care should also be taken not to breach IP agreements held with third parties (by sharing data which then becomes part of training sets). The potential use of AI software for data analysis in a research project must be disclosed in the ethics application so the software can be checked for regulatory abidance (e.g., in the transcription of speech into text).

5.18 Staff must comply with LSBU research ethics processes, intellectual property and data protection legislation when using AI tools in research.

5.20 Staff must not input identifiable, sensitive, or confidential research data into external AI tools unless explicitly authorised through LSBU’s ethical approval process.

5.21 Staff must ensure that any use of AI in research outputs is transparently acknowledged in line with disciplinary and publishing standards.

5.22 Staff are strongly encouraged to check the specific guidelines of funding bodies (such as UKRI) for specific policies about use and application preparation.

The development and use of AI presents important opportunities for research as well as risks. At the moment, AI does not reflect societal values such as fairness, ethics, and data protection and therefore its use and/or development must proceed in a responsible manner. Anyone looking to use AI in their research should be abreast with its limitations (e.g., biases, fabrication, intellectual property infringement) to appreciate and mitigate the risks of its use in their research practice.

The potential use of AI software for data analysis in a research project must be disclosed in the ethics application so the software can be checked for regulatory abidance (e.g., in the transcription of speech into text).

4.3 Students must declare any use of AI tools in assessments through the LSBU Originality and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Statement (or equivalent form provided in the module).

4.4 Any declared use of AI must include a description of how the tool was used and a reflection on its role in supporting the student’s work. This is normally submitted within the appendix of the submission and doesn’t count towards the wordcount.

4.5 AI outputs must always be properly acknowledged and referenced when included in assessed work, in line with LSBU referencing guidance.

4.6 Students must not present AI-generated content as their own original work.

5.21 Staff must ensure that any use of AI in research outputs is transparently acknowledged in line with disciplinary and publishing standards.

The use of AI in content creation should be declared in resulting outputs to ensure transparency.

4.8 All assessments submitted through Moodle/VLE are subject to Turnitin AI detection. Any suspected misuse of AI will be investigated in accordance with the LSBU Student Academic Misconduct Procedure.

5.15 Staff may use LSBU’s AI-enabled detection tools (i.e. Turnitin) to support the identification of potential AI-generated content in student work.

5.16 Marking must always be conducted based on published assessment criteria. AI detection scores may only be consulted after marking is complete and must never be used as a substitute for assessment against the criteria.

5.17 AI detection scores must not be used in isolation when making decisions about academic integrity. Any concerns must be investigated in line with the LSBU Student Academic Misconduct Procedure and the Guidance on Using the Turnitin AI Percentage (available on the internal staff intranet with login credentials) .

Breaches of these requirements will be investigated under the LSBU Student Academic Misconduct Procedure.

1.2 Academic misconduct refers to an attempt to cheat in an assessment. This can take a number of different forms, including plagiarism (including the use of generative AI, such as ChatGPT and similar programs), infringement of rules for examination candidates, contract cheating which occurs when a student arranges for another individual or generative AI to do their academic work, or attempting to assist another student to gain improper advantage (for example uploading essays to ‘essay banks’). This procedure also covers concerns around ethical approval and confidentiality breaches. This list is not exhaustive. Academic misconduct will result in a reduction of marks for the work concerned or a more severe penalty.

5.10 Staff must not delegate first-pass marking, grading, or personalised feedback to AI tools. Human academic judgement must remain central at every stage, including first-pass marking, moderation and final accountability with the marker. AI may only be used in a strictly supportive role such as improving clarity or structure of feedback, editing or summarising notes already drafted by the assessor, or providing an advisory check alongside human moderation, but never as a replacement.

5.11 Where LSBU-approved AI tools (such as Copilot in protected mode, LSBU custom GPTs or Teachermatic) are used to support marking or feedback, staff must:

5.11.1 conduct a full academic review of the student’s work and make an independent judgement before consulting AI;

5.11.3 review and edit all AI outputs, including suggested marks or draft feedback, and ensure they are used as advisory and never as a replacement for criteria-based assessment;

5.12 Final responsibility for marks and feedback rests with the human marker.

5.23 Staff may use LSBU-approved AI tools (e.g., MS Copilot in protected mode) to support administrative work such as drafting routine communications, summarising meetings, and improving workflows, provided they comply with LSBU’s data protection, confidentiality, and quality assurance requirements.

5.26 Staff are personally responsible for ensuring that their use of AI complies with this policy, LSBU regulations, and professional or legal obligations.

5.27 Staff remain accountable for the quality, accuracy, and integrity of their teaching, research, and administrative work, regardless of whether AI tools are used.

3.1 All staff and students must protect personal data (such as names, contact details, demographic information, health information, financial information, visa or passport details, student IDs, and IP addresses), confidentiality, and intellectual property when using AI tools.

3.1.2 Not inputting personal, sensitive, or confidential information into AI tools unless specifically permitted under LSBU guidance (e.g., approved use of MS Copilot in protected mode or LSBU custom GPT).

3.1.3 Using LSBU-approved AI tools (as per the list Artificial Intelligence Tools and Services available on the internal staff intranet with login credentials) , such as MS Copilot in protected mode and LSBU custom GPTs with data controls set to prevent data sharing for training, whenever possible.

3.1.4 When using external AI tools (for example, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or other online services), follow LSBU’s published guidance to ensure privacy settings are correctly configured and no sensitive data is shared with training models.

3.1.5 Not uploading LSBU-owned or third-party intellectual property or data into external AI tools, unless approved by LSBU. This includes, for example, lecture slides, coursework specifications, assessment briefs, client information, student submissions and unpublished research data.

5.20 Staff must not input identifiable, sensitive, or confidential research data into external AI tools unless explicitly authorised through LSBU’s ethical approval process.

This policy sets out London South Bank University’s approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI (GenAI). It provides binding requirements and guiding principles for responsible, ethical, and transparent use of AI by staff and students.

1.1 This policy covers the use of AI in learning, teaching and assessment, research and knowledge exchange, operational and administrative processes, and external and professional engagement.

1.3 This policy is aligned with LSBU’s strategic values, sector best practice, and external regulatory requirements, and is reviewed annually or in response to regulatory, technological, or institutional change.

2.1 Education and Literacy

LSBU provides baseline AI literacy for all staff and students, with additional workshops and resources to support advanced and responsible use of specific AI tools.

2.2 Innovation with Responsibility

AI is encouraged as a tool for creativity, professional development, and innovation, but its use must serve a clear academic, research, or professional purpose and be balanced against identified risks.

2.6 Transparency and Accountability

Students, staff, and institution must clearly acknowledge how AI is used, while maintaining human accountability for academic and professional outcomes.