Teaching & Learning
- UAB does not impose a single university-wide rule requiring or banning AI for coursework
- Course-level use of generative AI is at instructor discretion and should be specified in the syllabus; students should not use generative AI in academic work unless the syllabus clearly approves it, and any AI use must be disclosed
As such, UAB does not dictate that teachers shall require or prohibit the use of generative AI in their course objectives, assignments, or assessments.
Teachers are encouraged, in cooperation with their departmental leaders, curriculum committees, and program directors to make course-level decisions that are appropriate for their specific content and student learning objectives. Once developed and approved, these decisions regarding the use of AI should be clearly outlined in the course syllabus and communicated to students.
Students should not use generative AI in academic work unless it is clearly stated that AI use is approved in the course syllabus and may only then be used within the limits stated in the course syllabus. Use of AI must be disclosed.
- UAB leaves decisions about AI use in assessments to the course level rather than setting a blanket university rule
- Instructors may require or prohibit AI in assessments through course-specific policies, and students must follow the syllabus and academic integrity expectations
As such, UAB does not dictate that teachers shall require or prohibit the use of generative AI in their course objectives, assignments, or assessments.
Teachers are encouraged, in cooperation with their departmental leaders, curriculum committees, and program directors to make course-level decisions that are appropriate for their specific content and student learning objectives. Once developed and approved, these decisions regarding the use of AI should be clearly outlined in the course syllabus and communicated to students.
Students are encouraged to learn to use AI tools in ways that support their success and comply with university guidelines and the principles of academic integrity. They are responsible to know, understand, and comply with AI guidelines established for their courses and presented in the course syllabus.
- The university also states that instructors can use Copilot for tutoring and personalized learning, with human oversight and monitoring of outputs
- UAB encourages students to learn to use AI in ways that support their success, but the governing limits remain course-specific and tied to academic integrity
Students are encouraged to learn to use AI tools in ways that support their success and comply with university guidelines and the principles of academic integrity.
Instructors can use Copilot to personalize learning, plan a lesson, brainstorm, tutor, communicate, and improve efficiency.
Keep in mind that you should follow UAB’s AI guidelines when using AI tools, and keep people at the center of your process. Closely monitor the inputs and outputs for Copilot.
- UAB provides approved AI tools that can write code, but it does not define a separate university-wide student policy for programming assignments beyond the general course-syllabus and academic-integrity rules
- For research computing environments, AI-powered coding tools must comply with UAB AI and IT policies, cloud-based AI tools cannot be used with sensitive or restricted data without formal approval, and GitHub Copilot is not approved on Cheaha
A free, secure AI chat assistant that can help with such tasks as searching for information, summarizing text, generating images and writing code.
All use of AI-powered tools, whether inside IDEs or via web interfaces, must comply with UAB’s AI Guidelines and other IT Policies.
Do not use any cloud-based AI service (where data is sent to external servers) with sensitive or restricted data unless you’ve received formal approval.
GitHub Copilot is currently not approved for use on Cheaha.
Research
- For graduate capstone projects, theses, and dissertations, AI use in research writing is governed by program-level guidelines that may define permissible use within UAB’s overarching principles
- Graduate student AI use must be disclosed and approved by the committee and program director, and AI-generated content incorporated into theses or dissertations must be reviewed and validated by the student before inclusion
• Each graduate program at UAB may establish and maintain guidelines on the permissible use of AI in
both research and writing of graduate capstone projects, theses, and dissertations.
• AI use must be disclosed by the graduate student and approved by the capstone/thesis/dissertation
committee and program director.
• The disclosure will include the various ways AI tools have been used in conducting the research
and/or writing the capstone project, thesis, or dissertation.
(List specific tools used) have been used to assist with the writing of this thesis/dissertation. All AI-generated
content was reviewed and validated for relevance, appropriateness, and accuracy before incorporation into
the final manuscript to maintain scholarly integrity of this research.
- UAB allows graduate programs to set discipline-specific guidelines on permissible AI use in research, including thesis and dissertation work
- The graduate research disclosure example expressly contemplates AI for tasks such as data visualization and statistical analysis, but any such use must be disclosed, approved, and human-reviewed for accuracy before inclusion in the final manuscript
• Each graduate program at UAB may establish and maintain guidelines on the permissible use of AI in
both research and writing of graduate capstone projects, theses, and dissertations.
• AI use must be disclosed by the graduate student and approved by the capstone/thesis/dissertation
committee and program director.
Artificial Intelligence (hereafter AI) tools have been utilized in this thesis/dissertation. (List specific tools
used) have been used to (describe specific uses, e.g., create data visualization, conduct statistical analysis).
All AI-generated
content was reviewed and validated for relevance, appropriateness, and accuracy before incorporation into
the final manuscript to maintain scholarly integrity of this research.
- UAB addresses AI in research ethics and integrity for graduate research and IRB preparation
- Graduate faculty are expected to verify the authenticity and originality of mentees’ work, UAB does not currently authorize AI detection tools for graduate theses and dissertations, and UAB is piloting an AI IRB review tool in a closed UAB-controlled environment to assist investigators before submission
• Graduate faculty will work closely with their mentees to verify the authenticity and originality of their
research and writing.
• As of the writing of these guidelines, UAB does not authorize the use of any AI detection tools.
Therefore, graduate thesis and dissertation manuscripts should not be uploaded to any of those tools.
UAB is piloting a new AI IRB Document Review Tool designed to help investigators identify common issues in their IRB applications before submission. The tool operates within a closed, UAB controlled environment, ensuring that all uploaded files remain secure and do not leave the UAB environment.
Academic Integrity
- UAB requires transparency when AI is used in academic work
- Students must disclose AI use when it is permitted, instructors may require complete and accurate documentation of AI use for assignments, and graduate students must disclose AI use in theses and dissertations with details of how the tools were used; when AI-generated material is allowed, sources beyond common knowledge must be attributed
Students should not use generative AI in academic work unless it is clearly stated that AI use is approved in the course syllabus and may only then be used within the limits stated in the course syllabus. Use of AI must be disclosed.
• Require complete and accurate documentation of how AI is employed to
complete assignments.
• AI use must be disclosed by the graduate student and approved by the capstone/thesis/dissertation
committee and program director.
• The disclosure will include the various ways AI tools have been used in conducting the research
and/or writing the capstone project, thesis, or dissertation.
1. That all sources used in preparation, that go beyond common knowledge, are
attributed. (Common knowledge is what a knowledgeable reader can assess
without requiring confirmation from a source).
- UAB states that, at the time of the graduate research guidelines, it does not authorize AI detection tools, and graduate manuscripts should not be uploaded to them
- If AI-generated material is used contrary to requirements or with false attribution or accuracy claims, that is treated as deceit and academic misconduct subject to the Academic Integrity Code; academic misconduct allegations are handled through instructor discussion and formal reporting procedures
• As of the writing of these guidelines, UAB does not authorize the use of any AI detection tools.
Therefore, graduate thesis and dissertation manuscripts should not be uploaded to any of those tools.
If these statements are untrue, whether by intent or negligence, it is considered deceit
and a violation of UAB’s shared commitment to truth and academic integrity. Such
behavior constitutes academic misconduct and is subject to review according to UAB’s
Academic Integrity Code.
You should first discuss the suspected academic misconduct with the student(s) involved. The purpose of this preliminary meeting is to correct any errors or misunderstandings about the apparent academic misconduct. If you determine during this preliminary meeting that no academic misconduct occurred, the matter will then be closed, and no disciplinary record created. However, if after the preliminary meeting you believe that academic misconduct occurred, you should submit an online report.
Institutional & Administrative
- UAB permits faculty and staff to use approved AI tools for university purposes, with an emphasis on keeping humans at the center and monitoring outputs
- Instructors are specifically told they can use Copilot for learning design and communication tasks, and faculty are offered training resources such as the 'Using AI in the Classroom' series
The use of generative AI tools by UAB employees and students is governed by existing UAB policies and procedures.
Instructors can use Copilot to personalize learning, plan a lesson, brainstorm, tutor, communicate, and improve efficiency.
Keep in mind that you should follow UAB’s AI guidelines when using AI tools, and keep people at the center of your process. Closely monitor the inputs and outputs for Copilot.
* Using AI in the Classroom Series
- UAB requires use of university-approved AI tools for UAB purposes and routes new AI tools through an IT review/request process
- Users must not share restricted, proprietary, sensitive, or private data with unauthorized systems; all UAB data must be classified, and cloud-based AI services may not be used with sensitive or restricted data without formal approval
- UAB identifies approved tools including Copilot with Data Protection, Adobe Firefly, Zoom AI Companion, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Box AI, and Microsoft Azure, and notes that Copilot with Data Protection is a more secure alternative because queries are encrypted and not used to train the AI
For UAB purposes, use only University-approved AI tools.
UAB users of AI systems should not share restricted, proprietary, sensitive, or private data to unauthorized systems. UAB users will protect the confidentiality and integrity of UAB data when building or using AI systems.
UAB has approved AI tools for official use within UAB operations and is actively reviewing potential new tools. If UAB users are interested in acquiring new AI tools or new AI features within existing tools, they should work with their department leadership to submit a request through UAB IT.
For use of AI tools or systems for official UAB purposes, even if they are free of charge, please submit a request in the IT Service Portal.
All UAB data stored, processed, or transmitted must be classified in accordance with this rule. Based on classification; users are required to implement appropriate security controls.
Do not use any cloud-based AI service (where data is sent to external servers) with sensitive or restricted data unless you’ve received formal approval.
Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection is a UAB-approved AI chatbot for use on the web, in Windows and in Bing or Edge. Sign in with your BlazerID and password.
Copilot with Data Protection is a more secure alternative to consumer tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
When you log in with your BlazerID and password, you’ll see a green “protected” label in the upper righthand corner. When you are logged in, Microsoft encrypts your queries and does not use them to train its AI.
### Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection
### Adobe Firefly
### Microsoft Azure
### Zoom AI Companion
### Microsoft 365 Copilot
### Box AI
- UAB has a formal AI governance structure and institution-wide principles
- The university publishes core AI principles, has an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee under the President’s Risk Cabinet for oversight of AI-related risks, and has working-group recommendations that address teaching, research, acquisition, compliance, and responsible adoption of AI technologies
AI systems at UAB must serve a distinct purpose, focus on achieving our mission and vision, and allow us to innovate and strive for excellence across our mission.
AI systems used at UAB should place humans at the center of deployment; stakeholders and users must learn how to critically evaluate and use the tools, exercise decision making and judgment, and retain control over the use of AI.
Prior to deployment, AI systems at UAB should undergo risk assessment and mitigation to protect our community and intellectual property (see procurement process below).
The President’s Risk Cabinet provides executive-level oversight and governance of strategic, operational,
financial, compliance, and reputational risks associated with University activities. As such, the cabinet
oversees risk identification, assessment, and mitigation efforts related to the role of artificial intelligence in
UAB activities and operations.
The following recommendations are provided by the Provost’s AI Working Group for
members of the UAB community. These include guidelines for teachers and students,
researchers, and for use in the Academic Integrity Code. Suggestions are also provided
for acquisition of AI technologies and compliance with legal issues.
AI systems should be approved for use by a UAB vetting counsel with representation
from legal, compliance, finance, IT, and faculty/staff representation. The goal will be to
choose secure, useful, and cost-effective tools with minimal overlap in functionality.
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 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)'s AI Policies
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has defined AI policies in 12 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 100%.
UAB requires transparency when AI is used in academic work. Students must disclose AI use when it is permitted, instructors may require complete and accurate documentation of AI use for assignments, and graduate students must disclose AI use in theses and dissertations with details of how the tools were used; when AI-generated material is allowed, sources beyond common knowledge must be attributed.
UAB states that, at the time of the graduate research guidelines, it does not authorize AI detection tools, and graduate manuscripts should not be uploaded to them. If AI-generated material is used contrary to requirements or with false attribution or accuracy claims, that is treated as deceit and academic misconduct subject to the Academic Integrity Code; academic misconduct allegations are handled through instructor discussion and formal reporting procedures.
UAB requires use of university-approved AI tools for UAB purposes and routes new AI tools through an IT review/request process. Users must not share restricted, proprietary, sensitive, or private data with unauthorized systems; all UAB data must be classified, and cloud-based AI services may not be used with sensitive or restricted data without formal approval. UAB identifies approved tools including Copilot with Data Protection, Adobe Firefly, Zoom AI Companion, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Box AI, and Microsoft Azure, and notes that Copilot with Data Protection is a more secure alternative because queries are encrypted and not used to train the AI.