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Using Information Responsibly for Your Assignments: AI in Education

This guide introduces the important concepts and library resources to help you to use information responsibly for your assignment and academic research.

Foreword

Midjourney, Inc.. (2023). Midjourney (Version 5.2) [Generative art model].  https://www.midjourney.com/

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that can help us teach and learn in new ways. One type of AI called "Generative AI" is especially exciting because it can be used to generate content. The University thinks it's important for teachers and students to learn about AI and to use it responsibly and wisely so we can use it to improve our education, learning and careers.

"AI is a double-edged sword; we should use but not abuse it, use it as a research but not cheating tool, and most importantly, use AI to think with you, but not for you." (CUHK, 2023) 

The University has published a guideline regarding using Generative AI in Education: "Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Teaching, Learning and Assessments - A Guide for Students", stating clearly how the University may integrate AI tools in its teaching and learning while upholding academic honesty, integrity and quality. 

As a general principle, unless specifically permitted, students are expected to complete all coursework, formative and summative assessments independently without the use of AI tools or other forms of unauthorized assistance. Otherwise, the case should be handled in accordance with the University’s Procedures for Handling Cases of Academic Dishonesty if a student is found to have used AI tool in the assignment/assessment.

Cautions for Using Generative AI

Like any other technology, Generative AI has its advantages and disadvantages when used in the context of university study and research. Here are some key problems and disadvantages that should be taken into consideration:

  • Originality & Biases: Generative AI is trained on large datasets. It is not capable of "creating" original ideas. Biases may reflect those present in the training data and can be perpetuated and amplified in the content generated.
  • Accuracy & Reliability: Generative AI can produce content that appears coherent and well-written, but the AI-generated information might not always be accurate or reliable.
  • Plagiarism & Academic Honesty: Generative AI can be misused to generate content in assignments and research, potentially leading to higher instances of plagiarism and compromising academic integrity.
  • Copyright: The copyright or intellectual property rights of the output generated by generative AI is not always clear.
  • Overreliance on AI-generated Content: Students and researchers are recommended to use scholarly sources in scholarly journals, primary sources and other essential research materials for their work.

To learn more about the guidelines and best practices for using AI tools, please refer to this library guide. 

When is it safe to use ChatGPT?

Citing AI-generated text

You can find detailed instructions and examples for citing ChatGPT in APA style in the blog titled "How to cite ChatGPT". 

A quick overview of suggestions mentioned in the article for citing AI-generated text : 

 

It is recommended to cite GenAI content as software or algorithm's output in APA format. Below are examples of how to do both in-text citations and references: 

In-text citation format:

  • Parenthetical citation: (Company, Year).   e.g. (OpenAI, 2023).
  • Narrative citation:  Company (Year)    e.g. OpenAI (2023)

 

You can also supplement your writing with an Appendix that included the entire "chat" and add a description in the in-text citation.

 

Reference format: 

  • Company. (Year). AI Name (version) [Descriptor]. URL
  • E.g. OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 25 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

 

You can find detailed instructions and examples for citing ChatGPT in MLA style in the blog titled "How do I cite Generative AI in MLA Style". 

Suggestions mentioned in the article for citing AI-generated text : 

 

Users are recommended to cite GenAI content using the MLA template of core elements as to provide writers flexibility in citation for any new types of sources. Below are examples of how to do both in-text citations and references: 

 

In-text citation:

It is advised not to consider the AI tool as an author, so the initial words of the prompts should be part of the in-text citation rather than attributing the AI company. 

  • ...("The beginning words of the prompt used"). e.g. ("Introduce RAG technique") 

 

Reference:

  • "Prompt used" prompt, Name of AI tool, version, Company/Developer, Date, URL
  • E.g. "Introduce RAG technique uses in GenAI tools in two sentences" prompt. OpenAI, 24 Sep 2024, https://poe.com/ 

You can find detailed instructions and examples for citing ChatGPT in IEEE style in the blog titled "Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Generated Text". 

Important statements mentioned in the article for citing AI-generated text : 

"The use of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in an article (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code) shall be disclosed in the acknowledgments section of any article submitted to an IEEE publication. The AI system used shall be identified, and specific sections of the article that use AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level at which the AI system was used to generate the content.

The use of AI systems for editing and grammar enhancement is common practice and, as such, is generally outside the intent of the above policy. In this case, disclosure as noted above is recommended."

 

Users are recommended to cite GenAI content as Software in IEEE style. Below are examples of how to do both in-text citations and references: 

 

In-text citation:

  • IEEE uses numbered referencing system for in-text citation. e.g. [1]

 

Reference:

  • Name of AI tool(version of year), Publisher Name. Accessed: Date. [Type of Medium]. Available: URL
  • E.g. [1] ChatGPT(2023), OpenAI. Accessed: 24 Aug 2024. [Online]. Available: https://poe.com/  

AI Text-detection Tools

The influx of AI not only brings many influences to academia but also brings challenges to cope with the changes. Identifying AI-written text has been one of the important points of discussion in academia. However, no tools can tell apart AI and human writing precisely.  Just for reference, you can check your assignment with these tools if you want.

VeriGuide AI Writing Detector Original.ai GPTZero

AI in Education Survey Results

Good Reads (Journals)

Nature Machine Intelligence

Top Journal with 23.8 in 2022 JIF

International Journal of Computer Vision

Top Journal with 19.5 in 2022 JIF

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence

Top Journal with 14.4 in 2022 JIF

The Artificial intelligence review

The Artificial intelligence review

Top Journal with 12.0 in 2022 JIF

Good Reads (e-Books)

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