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Guide to Artificial Intelligence Use

Guide to Artificial Intelligence Use

 

 

Introduction

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, its use in academic and professional settings is becoming more prevalent. Alamance Community College (ACC) recognizes the benefits and challenges of AI technologies and aims to provide clear guidelines for their responsible and ethical use. This guide is adapted from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Generative AI framework and is intended to help students and faculty navigate AI use in academic work.

AI Usage Philosophy

At ACC, our guiding principle is: AI should help you think, not think for you.

  • AI tools can enhance learning, research, and productivity but should not replace critical thinking and personal effort.

  • Users must critically evaluate AI-generated content and be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of their work.

  • Any use of AI must be transparent and properly documented.

 

Definitions of AI Technologies

To better understand AI and its implications, the following categories and links provide more information:

Guidelines for Using AI in Academic Work

 

General Principles

  • AI-generated content must be cited appropriately.

  • Students and faculty are responsible for verifying AI-generated facts and sources.

  • The use of AI must be explicitly stated in assignments and research.

  • Confidential or personal data should never be entered into AI tools.

  • Students should refer to the acceptable use scale (example below) provided by their instructor to determine the level of AI usage allowed in their course or on a particular assignment

 


 

Specific Usage Guidelines

Assignments

  • Writing and Presentations – AI may assist with brainstorming and outlining but must not generate entire assignments. AI use must be documented.

  • Multimedia Projects – AI-generated images, audio, or video must be properly attributed.

  • Research – AI can help with topic brainstorming and source evaluation but cannot be used as a substitute for critical analysis.

  • Exams – AI use is prohibited unless explicitly allowed by the instructor.

  • Group Work – AI usage must follow the same guidelines as individual work.

 

 

Documentation of AI Use

Students and faculty must disclose AI usage in academic work using one of the following statements:

  • “I attest that this project did not use AI at any stage in its development.”

  • “I attest that this project made use of AI in the following ways: [describe specific use].”

Failure to comply with these guidelines may be considered an academic integrity violation.

 

Can I Use Al on this Assignment?

Generative Al Acceptable Use Scale

Generative Al refers to any of the thousands of Artificial Intelligence tools in which the model generates new content (text, images, audio, video, code,etc) This includes, but is not limited to, Large Language Modelsl LLMs such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini,etc, Image creators such as Dall-E3, Adobe Firefly, and any tools with built in generative Al capabilities such as Microsoft CoPilot, Google Duet, Canva, etc etc)

 

Level of Al Use

Full Description

Disclosure Requirements

0

NO AI Use

This assessment is completed entirely without Al assistance.
Al Must not be used at any point during the assessment.

This level ensured that student rely solely on their own knowledge, understanding, and skills.

No Al disclosure required.

May require an academic honesty pledge that AI was not used.

 

1

AI-Assisted Idea Generation and Structuring

No AI content is allowed in the final submission. AI can be used in the assessment for brainstorming, creatingstructures, and generating ideas for improving work.

AI disclosure statement must be included disclosing how Al was used. Link(s) to Al chat(s) must be submitted with final submission.

2

AI-Assisted Editing

No new content can be created using Al. Al can be used to make improvements to the clarity or quality of student created work to improve the final output.

Al disclosure statement must be included disclosing how Al was used. Link(s) to Al chat(s) must be submitted with final submission.

3

AI for Specified Task Completion

Al is used to complete certain elements of the task, as specified by the teacher. This level requires critical engagement with AI generated content and evaluating its output. You are responsible for providing human oversight and evaluation of all AI generated content.

All Al created content must be cited using proper MLA citation. Link(s) to AI chat(s) must be submitted with final submission.

4

Full AI Use with Human Oversight

You may use AI throughout your assessment to support your own work in any way you deem necessary. AI should be a 'co-pilot' to enhance human creativity. You are responsible for providing human oversight and evaluation of all AI generated content.

You must cite the use of Al using proper MLAor APA citation. Link(s) to Al chat(s) must be submitted with final submission.

 

Adapted by Vera Cubero for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) from the work of Dr. Leon Furze, Dr. Mike Perkins, Dr. Jasper Roe FHEA, & Dr. Jason Mcvaugh.

Conclusion

AI is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can enhance education and productivity. By following these guidelines, students and faculty at ACC can ensure ethical and effective AI use while maintaining academic integrity.