Coventry University describes academic misconduct as trying to get an unfair advantage in an assessment. This can include using artificial intelligence (AI) 

Some examples of AI are:

• Alexa
• GitHub
• Google Search
• Google Translate
• Grammarly
• Turnitin

The University will explain how it expects you to use AI in your module and assignment brief. Each assessment will use a red, amber, and green traffic light system to show what type of AI use is allowed.

• Green: AI is required to complete the module/assessment. Use critical thinking.

• Amber: AI use is allowed as specified by the module team.

• Red: No AI is allowed.

How do I use AI fairly and ethically?

Does it give you an unfair advantage?

 If you're being tested on how well you can write academic English, or debug code, you might not be able to use tools to help you with this, including those with AI

Are you copying and pasting from AI ?

The University advises against copying and pasting, as it is considered poor academic practice.

Have you referenced your sources?

You probably know that you need to reference the work and ideas of others, but did you know this includes content generated by AI?

Does the assessment check your analytical or critical thinking?

 AI can’t think for itself, it doesn’t have opinions or ethics like you do.

Good and bad uses of AI

A good use of AI might be:

• Getting inspiration
• Planning the structure of your work
• Data collection and analysis
• Summarising notes
• Translating small sections of your work
• Presenting data in graphs, charts or slides
• Proofreading

A bad use of AI might be:

• Hiding copied work
• Translating copied text to reduce similarity
• Copying and pasting AI-generated content without changes or citations
• Using AI detection tools, unless instructed

Using AI may seem to be a complicated issue but if you’re unsure whether you should be using it - you probably shouldn’t!

Limitations of AI

• AI can be helpful but relying too much on it might hinder the development of creativity, analysis, and research skills
• AI-generated content may be wrong
• AI may reinforce stereotypes
• AI might use information without referencing, crediting, or paying them for their work- this may include your work!

Remember:

If you're using AI and presenting it as your own work without acknowledgement, this is probably academic misconduct

If you use AI, acknowledge that you’ve used it and keep drafts of your work before and after using it

You can find out more about using AI safely here: https://www.yoursu.org/advice/academic/ai/

You can find more guidance from the University here: https://student.ai.coventry.domains/