USE OF AI TOOLS POLICY

Purpose and Scope

This policy applies to all students at EBU, and outlines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used ethically and responsibly in academic work. It aims to foster digital literacy, uphold academic integrity, and support inclusive, innovative learning.

Core Principles

We recognise that AI tools are becoming increasingly embedded in educational and professional environments. At EBU, we value their potential to enhance learning, while also acknowledging their limitations and risks.

• Transparency: Students must clearly disclose any use of AI tools in their work, including which tools were used and how they contributed.
• Originality: Submitted work must reflect the student’s own thinking and effort. AI must not replace critical thought, analysis, or problem-solving.
• Accountability: Students are responsible for the content they submit, regardless of whether AI contributed to its creation.
• Ethical Use: AI tools must not be used to commit academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, misrepresentation, or unapproved assistance.
• Equity and Wellbeing: Students are encouraged to use AI in a way that supports learning, collaboration, and personal development, without replacing authentic engagement or creating undue pressure.

Acceptable Use of AI Tools

AI tools may be used in academic work under the following conditions:

• Idea Generation & Drafting: You may use AI tools to brainstorm, outline, or draft ideas. You must verify any AI-generated content using reputable sources.
• Editing & Feedback: AI may be used for grammar suggestions, summarisation, or editing, but the final work must be your own.
• Research Support: You may use AI to help with tasks like summarising literature or generating hypotheses, provided the use is acknowledged.

Acknowledgement Requirement:
If you use AI in your work (e.g., for summarising, editing, or generating content), include an acknowledgement such as:
“This work is my own. I used ChatGPT-4 (OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com/) to summarise my notes and check grammar in the final draft.”

The minimum acceptable acknowledgment must include:

• Name and version of the AI tool used (e.g., ChatGPT-4)
• The developer or company (e.g., OpenAI)
• URL to the platform used
• A one-sentence explanation of how it was used
• A confirmation that the submitted work is your own

Prohibited Use of AI Tools

Using AI in the following ways is strictly prohibited and constitutes academic misconduct:

• Submitting AI-generated work as your own without proper disclosure
• Using AI tools during exams or controlled assessments unless explicitly allowed
• Copying or paraphrasing large sections of AI-generated text
• Failing to verify, interpret, or contextualise AI-generated data or outputs
• Providing misleading or incomplete AI acknowledgements
• Using AI to generate false references, citations, or bibliographies

AI Use in Examinations and Assessments

Unless expressly permitted, the use of AI during formal exams, tests, or controlled coursework is not allowed. Students must demonstrate that their submissions reflect their own independent work and thinking. We reserve the right to use academic judgment, plagiarism detection tools, and AI-detection tools to assess the authenticity of student work.

Misuse and Consequences

Misuse of AI tools includes, but is not limited to:

• Using AI to bypass the learning process (“stealing the struggle”)
• Distributing AI-generated content that is harmful, discriminatory, or offensive
• Submitting assignments without appropriate AI disclosure

Violations of this policy will be treated as academic misconduct and may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Plagiarism and Code of Conduct policies.

Responsibilities

• Students must use AI responsibly, understand when disclosure is needed, and seek clarification from instructors if uncertain.
• Faculty and staff must guide students on the appropriate use of AI and clearly indicate whether AI use is permitted for each assignment.