AI for Students Guide: Using Generative AI

As a student, you are responsible for ensuring that your use of generative AI is accurate, ethical, and appropriate. Here are the Library's recommendations:

• Follow the specific AI policies set by your instructor, department, and the University (see the St. Kate's policy in the right-hand column).

• Use generative AI tools as an aid, not as a replacement for learning. If you depend on a Gen AI tool to do the work for you, you will miss out on opportunities to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

• Read the terms of use for the AI tool. This could be general guidelines or policies, FAQs, etc. In some cases, it will tell you what the limitations of the tool are for a user. You'll usually need to create an account by providing an email address or phone number. Be sure you understand how the tool will use your personal data, and what you will give up in exchange for your use of the tool. 

• Use the sources provided by the AI tool rather than using the AI-generated text (you can prompt the tool to provide sources), and then...

• Check the facts! Always verify AI-generated information for credibility (see our tips). You are responsible for the accuracy of any content produced by an AI tool. 

• Be transparent about your use of AI. Be prepared to show how you've used AI in your research and writing process by following your faculty's instructions on how to document it. No guidance provided? See our recommendations.

• Do not include any personal, private, or proprietary information in your prompts, even if you have opted out of your data being used by an AI tool. The information could be used to train the model, and could be inadvertently conveyed to others.

• Be aware that AI has been integrated into many of the programs and devices you use, such as Google, Canva, Microsoft, social media, your smartphone, etc. You don't want to unintentionally use AI if it is prohibited in your coursework.

The recent advances and availability of generative AI technologies present new challenges and opportunities for the St. Catherine University community. Perspectives on the use of generative AI in coursework at St. Kate's vary from faculty to faculty, and department to department. You may find that it is allowable in one of your classes but not in others, for one assignment but not for all. As this is a rapidly changing technology, university, department, and individual course policies will change over time.

Your faculty should provide guidance about the use of generative AI in your coursework either through a syllabi statement, class discussion, or other course communication. If you are unclear about whether or not it is appropriate to use it, ask your instructor! Be sure you understand how it may or may not be used in your academic work. 

It's important for all students to know what the St. Catherine University Academic Dishonesty Policy states about this technology:

"Using generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) on assignments without permission, in improper ways, or without citation or affirmation is considered a violation of the St. Catherine University academic integrity policy."