Contents
- What is AI?
- Does the University of Glasgow permit the use of AI?
- How do I know which scenario applies?
- How do I reference use of GenAI in my work?
- What happens if I'm suspected of misusing AI in a submission?
- What are the consequences of inappropriate use of AI in research and writing
- How to avoid accusations of academic misconduct when using AI tools
What is AI?
‘AI tools’ are tools and resources that, through machine learning, can mimic and replicate human behaviours. Tools that produce human-like responses are referred to as ‘generative AI’.
There are many AI platforms that are widely available, including ChatGPT, Google Bard and CoPilot. However, this area is expanding rapidly and the term ‘AI tools’ can refer to a much broader range of resources.
Does the University of Glasgow permit the use of AI?
The University understands and accepts that AI tools are increasingly used both in academic environments and the workplace. As such, the aim is to teach students about appropriate and effective use of AI so that these tools are used ethically, critically and transparently.
At the same time, it’s important that all students are aware that using AI without acknowledgment is considered academic misconduct.
The University takes a two-scenario approach when it comes to the use of AI tools in assessments:
Scenario 1: in supervised assessments such as exams, in-class tests or invigilated practical assessments, you cannot use GenAI unless your assessment brief expressly allows it.
Scenario 2: in unsupervised assessments such as essays, coursework or dissertations, you can use GenAI, but you must acknowledge it. If use of GenAI is not mentioned in your course documentation, this default position applies.
Regardless of the scenario, submitting AI-generated content as if it is your own work is considered academic misconduct. Therefore, it is essential that any use of AI is declared and cited appropriately.
How do I know which scenario applies?
This will be set out in your course documentation, so it’s important you read that carefully. Assessment guidelines will also have information on this. If you’ve read through these documents and you still aren’t sure whether GenAI use is permitted, you can speak with staff in your School, such as your tutor or course coordinator.
If you need further guidance, you can book an appointment with a member of the Student Learning Development Team.
How do I reference use of GenAI in my work?
The University doesn’t have a single method for referencing GenAI, so you will need to check your course documents to confirm the best approach. The referencing style that you have been directed to use will also affect how you should cite AI.
You should generally submit a statement as part of your submission to make it clear to the marker that GenAI has been used and in what way. The University has produced a basic template to help you do this.
What happens if I'm suspected of misusing AI in a submission?
If your School suspects you've misused AI in an essay, dissertation, exam or other piece of work, your case will be investigated either by your School or the Senate Assessors for Student Conduct.
1. School-level investigation
For undergratuate students at Level 1 or 2 who have been accused of academic misconduct for the first time, cases will typically be dealt with by your School. You will usually be asked to attend a meeting to discuss this in more detail, and your School will be responsible for applying any penalty.
2. Investigation by the Senate Assessors for Student Conduct
For students studying at Honours or postgraduate level, or students at Level 1 or 2 who have received a second allegation of academic misconduct, investigations will typically be handled by the Senate Assessors for Student Conduct. This is a more formal process which the advisers at the SRC can guide you through, so please reach out to discuss your case.
Exploratory Interview
In most cases, you'll first be asked to attend a meeting with staff at your School called an Exploratory Interview. The purpose of this meeting is to establish if the work you've submitted was actually written by you.
You'll often be asked specific questions about your work and will be expected to show that you have a strong understanding of this. You will likely be asked questions about how you researched and drafted the work, if you used GenAI when doing this and, if so, how you used it. Your School won't normally provide you with detailed information about the allegations in advance and you won't be expected to produce evidence at this stage. All you're required to do is be prepared to discuss your work in detail.
After the Exploratory Interview
If your School still has concerns about the authorship of your work after the Exploratory Interview, your case will be forwarded to the Senate Assessors for further investigation. It can take several weeks to receive further updates on your case, which can be stressful. If you feel you'd like additional support at this time, you can contact the University's Counselling Service.
Once your case has progressed, the Student Conduct Team will send you an email which will have a copy of your work and other documents attached. Depending on the nature of the allegations, this may include a Turnitin report, copies of sources in question and a referral document from your School outlining the allegation.
Responding to Plagiarism Allegations
You'll first be asked to submit a written statement in response to the allegations, and in some cases the Student Conduct Team may also ask you to attend an interview with the Senate Assessors. This is an opportunity to explain how you produced your work, and for the Senate Assessors to discuss the allegations with you in more detail.
Our Plagiarism page has guidance on drafting a statement and attending an interview with the Senate Assessors.
What are the consequences of inappropriate use of AI in research and writing?
Any work that you submit to the University will be assessed and marked on the basis that it is the result of your own efforts. It is essential that any use of AI tools in your research or writing process are acknowledged and appropriately cited. If you submit work that isn’t your own – including work produced through AI - then you may be the subject of a plagiarism investigation. If you are found to have plagiarised and breached the University’s Code of Student Conduct this can have serious consequences and may impact your ability to progress or graduate from your course.
Depending on the extent of the alleged plagiarism and your level of study, this investigation will be carried out by your School or the Senate Assessors for Student Conduct. SRC Advice Centre staff can advise on which process is likely to be used in your case, they can also assist you with understanding exactly what you've been accused of and help you prepare for any meetings or hearings you might have with the University on this.
If your work is found to contain plagiarism, sanctions can include a reprimand and/or reduction in your mark for minor cases, but more serious cases can result in much harsher penalties. You could be refused credit for the affected work without the opportunity to resubmit, or be refused credit for the whole course. In the most serious cases, a referral can be made to the Senate Conduct Committee who have the power to issue even more severe sanctions, including expulsion.
How to avoid accusations of academic misconduct when using AI tools
The Plagiarism & Academic Integrity Code addresses misuse of GenAI. If you don't adhere to the Code, you are engaging in academic misconduct.
If you use GenAI, you should cite it.
You shouldn’t wholly rely on AI to produce references, resources or materials. Any content produced by AI is susceptible to inaccuracy and bias. AI tools routinely provide false information (called ‘hallucinations’) and cannot access all relevant data, such as paid-for resources that can be accessed through the library.
Avoid uploading full copies of your work, reports and essay questions into AI tools.
The University has produced good practice guidance for the use of AI and when it must be acknowledged.
If you’re keen to explore the use of AI tools in your work, arrange an appointment with SLD before you start to make sure you know how to use these tools appropriately.
Do
- Acknowledge the use of any form of AI in your coursework for all submissions.
- Question the validity and accuracy of any output, data, results, and information you receive from AI tools.
- Ensure that all your submissions are the result of your own thought, workings, analysis, and critique.
- Keep up to date with your course guidelines and information around academic integrity and AI. Pay particular attention to your marking criteria and ILOs; it is your responsibility to demonstrate how you meet these.
- Be aware of how research AI tools are advertised: they'll often promise time-management and efficiency benefits but will in practice break academic integrity rules.
Don’t
- Assume that all AI tools are equally effective, equally responsible, equally resourceful, and equally capable of being used with academic integrity. AI tools replicate biased results, and do not provide contextualised, evaluated or critiqued evaluation of information.
- Pay for AI services or tools; your courses will never require you to pay for external software.
- Use AI tools as a replacement for your own understanding, analysis, or summary of a topic.
- Rely on AI to produce references, resources, materials or any other forms of content. AI is liable to produce 'hallucinations' where it can make up false information and references.
- Upload full copies of your work, essay questions, reports, results, and discussion into any AI tool. AI tools should not be used to conduct research or investigation into a topic. If your lecturers want you to use AI for specific activities, they will provide guidance on what is allowed or expected, and what is not.
SLD have an extensive student guide to AI usage on their website here and have also created an online course "Generative AI for Students: Ethics & Academic Integrity" which you can enrol for here.