Academic Integrity
Generative AI and Academic Misconduct
It is important to use AI generated content responsibly and ethically.
While Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, have great potential to improve our lives and save time, their use to generate academic content for coursework without citation or when not permitted can be considered an act of academic misconduct (cheating) because it is not your own work.
Depending on the expected outcomes of the work assigned to you during your time at AC you may find the use of Generative AI tools to be: prohibited, permitted or permitted only for specific tasks, or unrestricted.
The following notices may appear in your Brightspace course or as part of your assignment’s instructions.
Prohibited
- The educational value of this course lies not only in the mastery of course content but also in the process of engaging first with the material. The work you do in this course is intended to strengthen original though, critical thinking, and individual problem-solving skills. The use of generative AI to complete course work compromises the learning process and the achievement of course learning requirements. If the use of Generative AI is prohibited for your course, any use may constitute academic misconduct.
Some Use Permitted
- Students may use generative AI in this course in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the instructor for each assessment. When permitted, Generative AI use must be cited or acknowledged as appropriate. If its use is prohibited, any use may constitute academic misconduct.
Unrestricted Use
- Students may use generative AI throughout this course in whatever way enhances their learning. When permitted, Generative AI use must be cited or acknowledged as appropriate. If its use is prohibited, any use may constitute academic misconduct.
If you are still unsure or if your professor has not indicated when and if generative AI is permitted in your course, please contact them directly before proceeding.
Algonquin’s Academic Integrity Policy and Generative AI
Under Algonquin College Policy AA48 – Academic Integrity, “Academic work submitted by learners is evaluated on the assumption that the work presented by the learner is their own.” Responsible use of generative AI is encouraged; however, students are expected to follow course and assignment instructions regarding its use and to cite or otherwise acknowledge generative AI content. Undocumented generative AI use is not permitted in academic work.
Policy AA48 defines Unauthorized Content Generation (UCG) as the production of academic work, in whole or in part, for academic credit, progression, or award using unapproved or undeclared human or technological assistance. Use of AI-generated content that is not authorized, disclosed, or cited in accordance with course and assignment requirements may constitute Unauthorized Content Generation (UCG) and may be addressed as academic misconduct under Policy AA48.
To learn more about Academic Integrity/Plagiarism please visit the resources on our Plagiarism website https://algonquincollege.libguides.com/research/plagiarism
Student’s handouts for use of AI https://www.algonquincollege.com/academic-integrity/student-supports/