Teaching & Learning
- Use of generative AI in coursework is at instructor discretion unless a course or assignment explicitly permits it
- Faculty guidance also recommends telling students what kinds of AI use are and are not permitted for an assignment
- The academic integrity policy treats use of unauthorized assistance, including generative AI, as cheating when faculty members have not expressly allowed it
Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices or means in any academic exercise. This includes unauthorized use of a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT or Copilot in any academic exercise, when use of the tool has not been expressly permitted by the instructor.
If there is no statement in your syllabus, class notes, or assignment that indicates using a generative AI tool is OK, then it is considered to be unauthorized assistance.
Faculty should communicate the use and implementation of AI in their classrooms. It should be specified to students if using an AI tool to complete coursework, assessment, and class preparation is permitted or prohibited.
- Use of generative AI during exams and other assessments is prohibited unless the instructor has expressly permitted it
- The university guidance specifically includes assessments within faculty decisions about whether AI is allowed or prohibited
Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices or means in any academic exercise. This includes unauthorized use of a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT or Copilot in any academic exercise, when use of the tool has not been expressly permitted by the instructor.
Faculty should communicate the use and implementation of AI in their classrooms. It should be specified to students if using an AI tool to complete coursework, assessment, and class preparation is permitted or prohibited.
- The university encourages educational use of AI for learning support, including brainstorming, concept explanation, tutoring, practice, and study support
- Students are told they may use generative AI as a study companion and to enhance learning, but they must follow instructor rules when work is for a course and should not enter restricted information
Here are some examples of appropriate use cases for generative AI:
Learning and skill development: Using AI for educational support, like tutoring or language practice, or other things to help build your own knowledge and skills.
How can students use AI?
Generative AI is an increasingly common tool in education. It can help students brainstorm ideas, explain difficult concepts, create practice exercises, and offer one way to support learning. Students may choose to use generative AI as a study companion, but they should use it carefully.
You can use AI to ask questions and explore ideas. It can act like a tutor, help summarize information, or explain something in a different way. These kinds of uses may support learning, but it is important to remember that AI can make mistakes and should not replace course materials or instructor guidance.
Before using AI for class-related work, check your instructor's policy or the assignment instructions. If the instructor has not explicitly permitted AI use, then using it may count as unauthorized assistance.
- Generative AI tools for coding are allowed only when the instructor has expressly permitted their use for the academic exercise
- The university names Copilot as an example of a generative AI tool covered by the academic integrity rule, so coding assistance is governed by the same instructor-authorization standard as other coursework
Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices or means in any academic exercise. This includes unauthorized use of a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT or Copilot in any academic exercise, when use of the tool has not been expressly permitted by the instructor.
If there is no statement in your syllabus, class notes, or assignment that indicates using a generative AI tool is OK, then it is considered to be unauthorized assistance.
Research
- The university permits AI use for data analysis and information management when it complies with privacy, confidentiality, and data-classification requirements
- Public and internal data may be used with approved precautions, but regulated or restricted data such as FERPA, HIPAA, and other high-risk information must not be entered into AI tools unless specifically approved by authorized university offices
Here are some examples of appropriate use cases for generative AI:
Information management and analysis: Using AI to summarize public documents, identify patterns in non-sensitive data, or draft reports based on approved content.
Use a safe tool and limit what you share. Different tools offer different levels of data protection. Generative AI tools approved by Wright State should be used for Internal Data, and should not be used for Restricted and Regulated Data unless authorized.
Restricted and Regulated Data: This includes any information protected by law or university policy, such as student records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA), personal financial details, legal records, and export-controlled research. This type of data should not be shared with generative AI tools unless specifically approved by the appropriate university office.
- Research-related AI use is governed by data protection and compliance requirements
- The university states that export-controlled research data and other restricted or regulated information must not be shared with generative AI tools unless specifically approved by the appropriate university office
Restricted and Regulated Data: This includes any information protected by law or university policy, such as student records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA), personal financial details, legal records, and export-controlled research. This type of data should not be shared with generative AI tools unless specifically approved by the appropriate university office.
Use a safe tool and limit what you share. Different tools offer different levels of data protection. Generative AI tools approved by Wright State should be used for Internal Data, and should not be used for Restricted and Regulated Data unless authorized.
Academic Integrity
- When AI use is allowed, students are expected to acknowledge it and follow the instructor's instructions for citation or disclosure
- The university guidance says students should be transparent about AI use and cite or describe it if required by the instructor or assignment
Be transparent about your use. If AI use is allowed in a course, follow your instructor's directions. You may be expected to cite or describe how you used AI.
If you are unsure whether AI is allowed, ask. It is always better to clarify expectations than to make assumptions.
- Unauthorized AI use is handled through the university's academic misconduct process as cheating
- A February 2024 faculty report states AI-detection tools should not be used as the sole basis for an academic misconduct accusation, because detection results are not reliable enough on their own
Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices or means in any academic exercise. This includes unauthorized use of a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT or Copilot in any academic exercise, when use of the tool has not been expressly permitted by the instructor.
Academic misconduct allegations against a student are filed by an instructor with the filing officer for the college or school offering the course.
At this time, it is inappropriate to use an AI detection service as evidence or basis to issue allegations of AI plagiarism.
The inability of these tools to make distinctions among human-written, AI-revised, and AI-generated content makes them problematic to use as grounds for a student conduct complaint without substantial corroborating evidence.
Institutional & Administrative
- Faculty are encouraged to communicate clear course-level AI rules and to make intentional decisions about whether and how students may use AI
- The faculty guidance also advises instructors to address AI use in syllabus and assignment language and to set expectations for permitted or prohibited use in coursework, assessment, and class preparation
Faculty should communicate the use and implementation of AI in their classrooms. It should be specified to students if using an AI tool to complete coursework, assessment, and class preparation is permitted or prohibited.
Faculty should think carefully and strategically before deciding if or how they want to implement AI in the classroom.
In your syllabus and assignment descriptions, articulate your expectations for student use of AI in the class. Clarify when AI use is allowed or prohibited and why.
Design meaningful learning experiences by deciding when and how students may use AI tools for assignments, class preparation, or participation.
- The university has a data-classification framework for AI use and requires users to match AI use to the sensitivity of the data
- Public data may generally be used, internal data should be used only with Wright State-approved tools, and restricted or regulated data must not be entered into generative AI tools unless authorized by the appropriate university office
Wright State classifies institutional data into three categories to help determine what can and cannot be used with generative AI tools.
Public Data: Information that is publicly available and poses no risk if shared. This data can generally be used with generative AI tools.
Internal Data: Information intended for use within the university that is not publicly available. This may include internal reports, planning documents, or routine business communications. This type of data should only be used with approved generative AI tools.
Restricted and Regulated Data: This includes any information protected by law or university policy, such as student records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA), personal financial details, legal records, and export-controlled research. This type of data should not be shared with generative AI tools unless specifically approved by the appropriate university office.
Use a safe tool and limit what you share. Different tools offer different levels of data protection. Generative AI tools approved by Wright State should be used for Internal Data, and should not be used for Restricted and Regulated Data unless authorized.
- Wright State has an institutional AI governance and strategy structure through a university AI Task Force and a report of recommendations
- The task force was charged with recommending AI use and implementation, and its guidance emphasizes AI literacy, classroom policy communication, privacy and security, ethical use, and ongoing review of AI-related changes
The Wright State University AI Task Force was charged by President Edwards with making recommendations for the use and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Wright State University.
The task force identified the following set of recommendations for students, faculty, and the institution to facilitate use of AI at Wright State University.
Wright State should adopt a holistic and evolving approach to AI literacy. All incoming and returning students should have access to foundational instruction in what AI is, how it works, and how it may be used ethically and effectively. AI literacy should also be integrated into First-Year Seminar courses and learning support structures such as tutoring centers and workshops.
The university should support ongoing evaluation of AI-related changes in teaching, student support, and institutional use. Faculty, staff, and students should be invited to share experiences and concerns so that policies and practices can continue to evolve in informed and responsive ways.
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 Wright State University's AI Policies
Wright State University has defined AI policies in 11 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 92%.
When AI use is allowed, students are expected to acknowledge it and follow the instructor's instructions for citation or disclosure. The university guidance says students should be transparent about AI use and cite or describe it if required by the instructor or assignment.
Unauthorized AI use is handled through the university's academic misconduct process as cheating. A February 2024 faculty report states AI-detection tools should not be used as the sole basis for an academic misconduct accusation, because detection results are not reliable enough on their own.
The university has a data-classification framework for AI use and requires users to match AI use to the sensitivity of the data. Public data may generally be used, internal data should be used only with Wright State-approved tools, and restricted or regulated data must not be entered into generative AI tools unless authorized by the appropriate university office.