Departmental AI Policy

 

Many generative AI systems and large language models (LLM) are currently available for students, faculty, professionals, and the general public (ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot etc.). These tools use predictive technology to produce, revise, and edit written works of all types. The proliferation of AI systems is rapidly changing the landscape of teaching and learning and presents both challenges and opportunities in academia.

As a humanities department we prioritize critical thinking and the acquisition and application of strong reading, writing, and editing skills. Our instructors foster learning environments where students gain the tools and skills to critically evaluate information and events that shape past and present worlds.

While we recognize the value of AI in some contexts and disciplines, we also have profound concerns about the use of AI and its potential impact on student learning. Some of our main concerns are:

  1. Ethics: If not properly governed, Generative AI can, and does, produce false knowledge, invented facts, illogical thought processes, and fabricated sources. Moreover, the information these tools use to produce text is drawn from myriad online sources and as such can be biased and uphold traditions of patriarchy, white-supremacy, homophobia etc. AI tools produce seemingly authoritative text but do not ‘think’, ‘analyze’, or ‘know’ in the ways that humans can. Thus, AI generated texts can present problematic ideas and opinions as facts and perpetuate harmful biases.
  2. Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of Generative AI cannot be overstated, particularly due to server energy requirements. The 1.5 million AI servers to be shipped by NVIDIA before 2027 alone will have an estimated electricity usage of 85.4 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. For comparison, all of Nova Scotia uses only 11 terawatt-hours per annum. Thus, we strongly encourage all potential users to avoid Generative AI in part to avoid another heavy contributor to the deadly and ongoing effects of climate change.
  3. Academic Integrity: Although many students have adopted AI devices as learning aids, others have chosen to use it as a shortcut in the production of essays or other assignments; this is contrary to the entire purpose of the study of the humanities and social sciences. Presenting AI generated text as one’s own original work, ideas, and opinions is, in our view, a violation of the principles of Academic Integrity.
  4. Student Learning & Success: Unregulated and uncritical use of AI (e.g. auto- generating an essay) is counter the core values of a Liberal Arts education, which include critical thinking and the acquisition of knowledge through research and the difficult but rewarding process of producing original work. By producing and editing one’s own work and ideas, we believe that students become more fully alive to themselves, to the world around them, and to the production of knowledge that is unique to the human condition.

Our Departmental Policies to AI in the classroom

Currently there is no explicit or overarching policy regarding the use of AI tools at Acadia University. Students and instructors can expect to find a variety of different approaches and practices in courses and departments.

In the History & Classics Department we expect students to complete assignments that reflect their own work, ideas, and research and that are communicated in their own words. The use of unauthorized aids is an academic offence. Beyond that, each instructor has the freedom to craft AI policies particular to their course. Students can expect to see this information clearly articulated on the syllabus, on assignment instructions, and/or communicated verbally in class.

Some of the AI policies commonly adopted in our department include:

  1. a) The use of Generative AI Tools is NOT allowed for this assignment/course.

The use of generative text AI tools is strictly prohibited in all course assignments and tests unless explicitly stated otherwise by the instructor. This includes all AI writing assistants. Students are expected to submit work that reflects their own ideas and original engagement with readings and research. This course policy is designed to promote your learning and intellectual development and to help you reach course learning outcomes.

The use of generative AI tools in these circumstances is a violation of Acadia’s Academic Integrity policy.

Details of Acadia University’s policies on Academic Integrity can be found on pg. 40-43 of the Academic Calendar: https://registrar.acadiau.ca/AcademicCalendars.html

  1. b) Use of Generative AI Tools IS allowed for this assignment/course under specific circumstances.

Students may use generative text AI tools as they work through this assignment. This use must be documented in an appendix (separate page) that includes what tool(s) were used, how they were used, and how the results from the AI were incorporated into the submitted work. Any content produced by an AI tool must also be cited appropriately. Failure to cite the use of generative AI tools in these circumstances is a violation of Acadia’s Academic Integrity policy.

Details of Acadia University’s policies on Academic Integrity can be found on pg. 40-43 of the Academic Calendar: https://registrar.acadiau.ca/AcademicCalendars.html

A Chicago Style footnote referencing the use of ChatGPT or other similar AI tools follows these guidelines:

AI Tool Used, response to “prompt used,” Date accessed, Manufacturer/Web Host. Note if author has edited for style and/or content.

Example: ChatGPT, response to “Explain how to make pizza dough from common household ingredients,” March 7, 2024, OpenAI. Edited for style and content.

Procedures for AI Use that Violates Course & Assignment Policies

If a student is found to have, or is suspected of, violating the AI policy in a course or assignment instructors may pursue a variety of options including, but not limited to:

-Requesting a meeting with the student where the student will be asked to explain their use of AI and to determine a path forward with the instructor.

-Grading the assignment as though completed without AI. AI generated assignments usually produce sub-standard work that does not meet assignment requirements, lacks critical analysis and original thought, as such the final mark is likely to reflect this.

-Requiring the student to either re-do and re-submit the assignment without the use of AI or consent to the grade the instructor deems most appropriate for the initial submission, up to and including a zero.

-Reporting the student and the assignment to the Department Head or Dean of Arts as being in violation of the University’s Academic Integrity policy. In this case the Department Head or Dean, shall initiate an investigation. Where the investigation concludes that a violation has occurred, punishments range from a verbal warning to expulsion depending on the severity of the breach and the student’s record of past non-compliance with the Policy on Academic Integrity. Students shall have a right to appeal the conclusions of any investigation.