A Draft New AI Policy for my College Class

When ChatGPT was first launched in November 2022, I told my class, “I don’t understand this technology yet. Please don’t use it for now.” I knew I needed some time to understand how this changes the way I teach my writing-heavy university classes. A little more than a year later, I have my first attempt at an approach. Below is a draft of my new policy. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Draft AI Policy, December 8th, 2023

• Use of spelling and grammar checkers are encouraged.
• Use of generative AI is discouraged (except when explicitly asked to do so), but not prohibited.

If you choose to use generative AI, you must do so responsibly. Please consider the following risks:

• Reduced learning. The purpose of academic writing assignments is to help you learn the material. You should be aware that using generative AI typically lessens the amount you learn from the assignment. This includes both reduced content learning, and reduced learning about how to write independently. This reduced learning may diminish what you get from the course, and may impact your grade later in your performance on exams.
• Factual errors. AI may introduce factual errors. If your work contains factual errors, we will deduct points for each error (typically 5 or 10 points per error) or may give a zero on the assignment, at the instructor’s discretion.
• Bias. AI may introduce unfair biases, for example against certain groups. You are responsible for any biases in work you submit.
• Fake references. AI may provide fake references. Citing a paper is asserting that it exists, you have read part or all of it, and that it supports the point being made. If you have a reference for a paper that does not exist in your bibliography, you will receive a zero on the assignment and be reported for a violation of academic integrity.
• Poor style. AI sometimes writes in an awkward or clichéd style. The quality of your writing is part of your grade, and we will deduct points for poor writing style.

Because the use of generative AI is new, we may need to update this policy over the course of the semester. If this occurs, you will be given a copy of the new policy and the date that it goes into effect. You will be given an ungraded Canvas quiz asking you to affirm that you have carefully read the revised policy.