Faculty - Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - NMU AI Literacy Initiative

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into academic work, it's essential to address the potential risks associated with its misuse. While AI can significantly enhance the quality of student work, it also raises concerns about academic integrity, particularly in terms of plagiarism and the ethical use of AI tools. This page explores the importance of maintaining academic integrity, guidelines for ethical AI usage, and the tools available for detecting plagiarism and preventing misuse.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) has provided many sample syllabus statements for instructor use. These are listed by category below. Each category represents a different level of acceptance regarding student use of AI in a course, from not at all to generally permitted (with citation). Furthermore, several sample statements have been added to each category, each one representing a different emphasis for the instructor’s decision regarding AI usage. You may also  include a link to the NMU Student Handbook located here: https://nmu.edu/policies/1070 . This handbook includes NMU’s policies regarding Academic Dishonesty.

1. Understanding AI and Academic Integrity

AI's role in academia must align with ethical standards, ensuring that students and faculty use these tools responsibly. This AI Assessment Scale and the information below is meant to help faculty members decide how much AI use is allowed in their courses. 

• AI as a Tool, Not a Shortcut:
  • AI should be used to enhance the learning experience, not as a substitute for independent thinking and effort. Encouraging students to use AI for research assistance, idea generation, or drafting support can foster learning, but over-reliance on AI to complete assignments is a breach of academic integrity.
  • Clear policies on AI usage in assignments and assessments should be communicated to students to ensure transparency and avoid unintended violations.
• AI Misuse:
  • AI-generated content that is presented as original work, without proper citation or acknowledgment, constitutes plagiarism. Faculty must educate students on the distinction between using AI as a tool for research and using it to complete assignments without personal input.
  • It's important to highlight the ethical implications of AI-assisted plagiarism, such as misrepresentation of personal abilities and undermining the value of academic qualifications.
• Encouraging Transparency:
  • Students should be encouraged to cite AI tools used in their work. Acknowledging AI contributions ensures that students maintain academic integrity while using these tools. Faculty can provide guidelines on how to cite AI-generated content properly, ensuring transparency in their work.

3. Educating Students on Proper AI Use

Clear policies and guidelines are crucial in guiding students on how to responsibly use AI:

• AI Usage Guidelines:
  • Faculty should incorporate AI ethics discussions into their curricula, explaining acceptable uses of AI in academic work and the importance of originality in assignments.
  • Assignments should include clear instructions on the permissible use of AI, such as whether students are allowed to use AI tools for research or drafting but not for the final submission.
• Encouraging Critical Thinking:
  • AI can assist with research or drafting but should not replace students' intellectual contributions. Encourage students to engage critically with AI-generated content and to use it as a tool to refine their own ideas rather than as a substitute for independent work.

4. Addressing Concerns Around AI and Academic Dishonesty

Faculty should be prepared to handle cases where students misuse AI, either intentionally or unintentionally:

• Establishing Clear Expectations:
  • Faculty should set clear expectations about academic integrity and AI's role in the classroom. This includes defining what constitutes acceptable use and making students aware of the consequences of academic dishonesty.
  • Policies should also outline the procedures for reporting suspected misuse of AI tools and the consequences of violating academic integrity rules.
• Handling Violations:
  • In cases where AI misuse is suspected, faculty should conduct a fair investigation, ensuring that the student has an opportunity to explain their work. If AI misuse is confirmed, appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken according to university policies.

5. AI and Ethics in Academic Research

For faculty, understanding the ethical implications of AI in academic research is equally important:

• AI in Research Integrity:
  • Faculty should be cautious about the use of AI for data analysis, modeling, or even drafting research papers. While AI can accelerate research, it must be used transparently, with all sources and methodologies clearly documented.
  • AI-generated data or analysis must be validated to avoid errors or biases in research findings, especially when AI tools are used to process large datasets or generate models.
• AI in Peer Review:
  • AI tools are increasingly being used in academic peer review to evaluate the quality of submitted manuscripts. Faculty should ensure that these tools are used ethically, with an understanding that AI-based systems might still lack nuanced judgment and contextual knowledge.

6. Encouraging Ethical AI Use in the Classroom

To maintain academic integrity, faculty can implement practices that encourage ethical use of AI:

• AI Ethics Discussions:
  • Incorporate discussions about AI ethics into course content, teaching students about the ethical use of technology, AI's limitations, and its impact on academic work.
  • Use case studies and examples to show how AI can enhance learning when used appropriately but may hinder intellectual development when misused.
• Promoting Digital Literacy:
  • Faculty can integrate digital literacy and AI ethics into broader educational objectives, helping students understand the broader implications of AI on society, academia, and professional work.