Teaching & Learning
- NDSU does not have a university-wide AI-specific rule for coursework and assignments
- Existing academic honesty rules apply when AI or any other unauthorized assistance is used on work submitted for credit
- The university states that instructors should set course-level expectations in the syllabus, and students are told that AI use can vary by course and instructor
NDSU does not currently have any AI-specific policies. All use of AI falls under existing academic integrity, technology and other student/employee policies.
Instructors should clarify in their syllabus whether or not students may use AI tools.
AI policies can vary by course and instructor.
Some professors may encourage AI for brainstorming or revising, while others may prohibit its use.
b) Receiving, possessing, distributing or using any material or assistance not authorized by the instructional staff member in the preparation of papers, reports, examinations or any class assignments to be submitted for credit as part of a course or to fulfill other academicrequirements;
- The policy also prohibits having others complete examinations for a student
- Whether AI is allowed in a given assessment is therefore left to the instructor's authorization under the general academic honesty policy
- NDSU does not set an AI-specific exam rule, but existing academic misconduct rules prohibit using assistance not authorized by the instructional staff member in examinations
NDSU does not currently have any AI-specific policies. All use of AI falls under existing academic integrity, technology and other student/employee policies.
b) Receiving, possessing, distributing or using any material or assistance not authorized by the instructional staff member in the preparation of papers, reports, examinations or any class assignments to be submitted for credit as part of a course or to fulfill other academicrequirements;
d) Having others take examinations or complete assignments (e.g., papers, reports, laboratory data, or products) for oneself;
- Course-level rules still apply, so students are expected to check each instructor's syllabus before using AI
- NDSU encourages students to use AI as a support tool for learning rather than as a substitute for their own work
- Student guidance recommends treating AI like a study partner, while institutional values state that AI should supplement creativity, critical thinking, and learning
1. AI as a Supportive Tool: AI is a supplement to creativity, critical thinking, and learning.
It should augment teaching, research, and operational efficiency, but not replace creativity or critical thinking.
Learner Tip: Treat AI like a study partner, not a substitute for your own work.
AI policies can vary by course and instructor.
Always review your syllabus and ask for clarification before using AI in assignments.
- NDSU does not provide a coding-assignment-specific AI rule
- Use in courses remains subject to instructor expectations and general academic honesty rules
- Student guidance acknowledges that AI tools may be used for coding tasks, but no university-wide permission or prohibition is stated for programming coursework
Different AI tools serve different purposes. Learn to assess which technology best supports tasks like writing, data analysis, coding, or creative ideation.
AI policies can vary by course and instructor.
Some professors may encourage AI for brainstorming or revising, while others may prohibit its use.
It is recommended for students to consult with their course instructors on whether or not GenAI tools are allowed in their courses.
Research
- No separate formal university policy specifically for manuscripts, theses, or dissertations is defined
- NDSU states in its AI goals and student guidance that AI use in research and writing should be transparent and credited when used
- The university also says AI should support, not replace, human creativity and critical thinking, and that users are responsible for checking accuracy and reliability
If AI tools are used, instructors and students should credit work done by AI in classroom or other scholarly settings as appropriate.
Transparency is key when using AI in both academic and professional settings. If you use AI to assist with research, writing, or idea generation, clearly communicate how and to what extent you used it.
This might include citing AI-generated content, providing a brief explanation with your assignment, or following the instructor’s disclosure requirements.
4. Reliability and Accuracy: AI outputs should be checked for accurate, reliable, trustworthy content, where results can be reproduced and verified. Users are responsible for accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of the content generated.
- Institutional values also require users to verify AI outputs for accuracy and to follow privacy obligations such as FERPA
- Student guidance recognizes data analysis as a possible AI-supported task, but does not set separate rules for research data or synthetic data
- NDSU does not define a formal AI-specific research data policy, but its guidance says users must consider what an AI tool tracks, stores, shares, and who owns the data
What is the AI tool/application keeping track of?
Where is it storing the data?
Who is it sharing the data with?
What does it do with the data, and who owns the data?
4. Reliability and Accuracy: AI outputs should be checked for accurate, reliable, trustworthy content, where results can be reproduced and verified. Users are responsible for accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of the content generated.
5. Privacy: As with the use of any online service, users should adhere to all privacy obligations (e.g. FERPA).
Different AI tools serve different purposes. Learn to assess which technology best supports tasks like writing, data analysis, coding, or creative ideation.
- This is framed as guidance rather than a formal AI-specific research policy
- Users are told not to present AI output as their own and are responsible for the appropriateness, accuracy, and privacy compliance of AI use
- NDSU's AI guidance emphasizes ethical, effective, and transparent use of AI in scholarly settings, but it does not define specific rules for grant proposals, IRB applications, or ethics declarations
These discussions provided a framework for how AI is approached at NDSU, not a formal policy.
3. Shared Responsibility: All users of AI at NDSU are responsible for the appropriate, ethical, and effective application of these tools.
4. Reliability and Accuracy: AI outputs should be checked for accurate, reliable, trustworthy content, where results can be reproduced and verified. Users are responsible for accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of the content generated.
5. Privacy: As with the use of any online service, users should adhere to all privacy obligations (e.g. FERPA).
The basic rule is to never attribute AI’s work (output) as your own.
Academic Integrity
- NDSU guidance requires that AI use in academic and scholarly settings be transparent
- If an instructor permits AI, students should credit its use and are advised to clearly communicate how and to what extent AI was used
- Examples of disclosure methods include citing the tool, providing an explanation, or following other specific instructor requirements
If AI tools are used, instructors and students should credit work done by AI in classroom or other scholarly settings as appropriate.
Transparency is key when using AI in both academic and professional settings. If you use AI to assist with research, writing, or idea generation, clearly communicate how and to what extent you used it.
This might include citing AI-generated content, providing a brief explanation with your assignment, or following the instructor’s disclosure requirements.
- NDSU does not define an AI-detection-tool policy in the provided sources
- No specific reference to Turnitin, GPTZero, or other AI detectors is provided
- Enforcement is handled under existing academic honesty procedures: students are responsible for their own work, faculty are responsible for addressing misconduct, and using unauthorized assistance on assignments or exams constitutes academic misconduct
NDSU does not currently have any AI-specific policies. All use of AI falls under existing academic integrity, technology and other student/employee policies.
Students are responsible for their own academic work and for understanding and adhering to the principles of academic honesty. Faculty members are responsible for fostering a culture of academic integrity and for addressing instances of academic misconduct.
b) Receiving, possessing, distributing or using any material or assistance not authorized by the instructional staff member in the preparation of papers, reports, examinations or any class assignments to be submitted for credit as part of a course or to fulfill other academicrequirements;
c) Unauthorized collaborating on individual assignments or representing work from unauthorized collaboration as independent work;
Institutional & Administrative
- NDSU provides guidance for faculty and staff rather than a formal AI-specific policy
- The provided sources do not define specific rules for faculty use in grading, recommendation letters, or administrative communications
- Instructors are encouraged to state syllabus expectations about AI use, and the university's values describe AI as a tool that should augment teaching and operational efficiency rather than replace human judgment
During the 2024-2025 academic year, NDSU staff, faculty and administrators met to articulate goals, guidance and information about how AI is used at NDSU.
These discussions provided a framework for how AI is approached at NDSU, not a formal policy.
Instructors are encouraged to have conversations with students and state clearly their expectations regarding the use of GenAI in their course syllabus.
These declarations should be unambiguous and concentrate on defining what constitutes permissible and impermissible use within the context of the course.
It should augment teaching, research, and operational efficiency, but not replace creativity or critical thinking.
- NDSU's guidance stresses privacy and data protection when using AI tools
- In addition, AI tools that give access to systems, passwords, or data are not allowed on NDSU-owned computers without IT permission
- Users are told to consider what data AI systems collect, where data is stored, who it is shared with, and to avoid sharing personal data or work because some platforms may store or use that information; university values also require compliance with privacy obligations such as FERPA
What is the AI tool/application keeping track of?
Where is it storing the data?
Who is it sharing the data with?
What does it do with the data, and who owns the data?
5. Privacy: As with the use of any online service, users should adhere to all privacy obligations (e.g. FERPA).
When using AI tools, be mindful of what information you put in. Avoid sharing your own or other peoples’ personal data and work, as some AI platforms may store or use that information.
Locally installed Software, or AI tools, that give access to your system, passwords, or data are not allowed to be run on NDSU owned computers without permission by IT
- Existing policies remain the governing rules for AI use at this time
- NDSU has articulated campus AI goals and values through 2024-2025 workgroups, but it states this framework is guidance rather than formal policy
- The university positions AI as an opportunity to support learning, teaching, research, and operations, while emphasizing academic freedom, integrity, human well-being, equity, transparency, reliability, and privacy
During the 2024-2025 academic year, NDSU staff, faculty and administrators met to articulate goals, guidance and information about how AI is used at NDSU.
These discussions provided a framework for how AI is approached at NDSU, not a formal policy. All use of AI falls under existing academic integrity, technology and other student/employee policies.
The following goals and values are intended to guide the integration and application of AI across our institution, ensuring it supports our mission of education, research, and service while prioritizing human well-being, equity, and transparency.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way we learn, teach, research, and work. At North Dakota State University, we see AI as an opportunity—one that helps our community work smarter, accelerate discovery, and expand access to knowledge.
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 North Dakota State University's AI Policies
North Dakota State University has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
NDSU guidance requires that AI use in academic and scholarly settings be transparent. If an instructor permits AI, students should credit its use and are advised to clearly communicate how and to what extent AI was used. Examples of disclosure methods include citing the tool, providing an explanation, or following other specific instructor requirements.
NDSU does not define an AI-detection-tool policy in the provided sources. Enforcement is handled under existing academic honesty procedures: students are responsible for their own work, faculty are responsible for addressing misconduct, and using unauthorized assistance on assignments or exams constitutes academic misconduct. No specific reference to Turnitin, GPTZero, or other AI detectors is provided.
NDSU's guidance stresses privacy and data protection when using AI tools. Users are told to consider what data AI systems collect, where data is stored, who it is shared with, and to avoid sharing personal data or work because some platforms may store or use that information; university values also require compliance with privacy obligations such as FERPA. In addition, AI tools that give access to systems, passwords, or data are not allowed on NDSU-owned computers without IT permission.