Academic Honesty and Student Code of Conduct

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools are becoming increasingly common. However, it is important that students understand instructors’ expectations and guidelines about them. In some cases, using Gen AI can be considered cheating.

Quick Links

Always ask your instructor if you can use Gen AI and check each course outline and assignment instructions. Just because Gen AI is allowed in one course does not mean it is allowed in every course.

Connect early and often with free tutoring and resources available at LA&PS and at York. Students say they are more likely to use Gen AI when running out of time or when under pressure.

Student Views on Gen AI

What have students said about Gen AI? Students shared that while they appreciate what Gen AI can help them do, they are also concerned about academic honesty and accuracy. They shared the following concerns and advice:

Students recognized that using Gen AI in their courses could be cheating.

Students are concerned about regularly using Gen AI. They worry about losing or not developing their critical thinking and creative skills.

Students noticed that Gen AI can often generate biased or harmful content and inaccurate information.

Students are worried about becoming dependent on Gen AI and missing opportunities to engage with their classes and peers.

GenAI at York: Policies and Practices

York University prohibits the use of text, image or video generative AI without the permission or knowledge of your course instructor. Do not use GenAI without understanding your course policy about use of GenAI. When in doubt, always talk to your course instructor or TA to better understand the courses’ GenAI guidelines.

If you are considering using ChatGPT to translate your coursework, you are taking the risk of committing a breach of the Academic Conduct Policy. It would be cheating since you would be submitting work that is not fully your own. We recommend you not to use it for translation purposes. Instead, reach out to English language support available to you as a York student through the ESL Open Learning Centre.

When your course instructor permits use of Gen AI for an assignment, you are expected to critically engage with the tool and cite it before submitting your final work. Refer to the ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools’ section of the Library Citation guide in addition to any instructions or guidelines provided by your instructor.

If used as a collaborator, Gen AI could be helpful as an additional resource to support you in your academic journey (e.g., using it to create a study schedule). But when it comes to using Gen AI for completing assessments, it is up to the course instructor to decide whether AI tools are permitted. Ask your instructor if they permit the use of AI, and if yes, refer to the instructions on how to use it to ensure your use aligns with course policies and supports your learning in the course.

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What are some main concerns about Gen AI?

Ethical	It is not always clear where Gen AI sources information and as a result it can generate harmful or biased content. Other ethical considerations surrounding Gen AI in education include interacting with it transparently for your coursework. This means reviewing course policies related to Gen AI and keeping records of how you have used Gen AI for any submitted work. Where possible, cite or reference Gen AI in your work.
Data Privacy	As use of AI and occurrences of data breaches increase, there are concerns around usage of and access to your personal data. Once you input personal information or other intellectual property into a Gen AI tool, do you know where it is stored or how it can be used in future?
Environmental	Continuously developing and maintaining the vast computing power needed by Gen AI tools takes an environmental toll in the form of carbon emissions and e-waste. Understanding the immense carbon footprint for Gen AI tools may encourage using them more sparingly.
Information Accuracy	Gen AI tools draw from existing information and data sets, which means they can generate inaccurate translations, misinterpret concepts and give you harmful or biased information. Always double-check information shared by Gen AI.

Understanding Course Policies and Gen AI Use

When used in line with course policies, Gen AI could be helpful as an additional resource to support you in your academic journey. It can help with creating a study schedule, understanding subject area terminology, and sharing tips on how to brainstorm. It’s important, however, that students like you take steps to ensure that you are only using Gen AI tools honestly within the guidelines set by your course instructor when it comes to coursework.

How can you know if Gen AI is permitted in your course? It is important to understand when and if Gen AI use is permitted in each of your courses as policies can be different across courses. The best ways to find information about course policies and Gen AI is by reading the course outline and asking your instructor or TA. If you’re unsure about how or if you can use Gen AI in your coursework, please use the resources below:

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Gen AI Yes/No Flowchart

Do you know if Gen AI use is allowed for an assignment? Use this flowchart to help find the answer.

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Gen AI Checklist

Your assignment description says you can use Gen AI, but what does that mean? This checklist can help guide you in completing your assessments while keeping academic honesty in mind.

Have questions about Gen AI and coursework? Reach out to your instructor or TA to clarify the Gen AI policy in each course. It’s important that students take responsibility for understanding course policies and asking about them if unsure.

Questions?

We encourage you to reach out to an Academic Honesty Coordinator!
Connect with us by emailing lapshonesty@yorku.ca.