Student Use of Generative AI
As a renowned university in higher education, Michigan State University (MSU) was founded on the principle of pursuing knowledge. To support this search for truth, MSU faculty, academic staff, graduate teaching assistants and staff use educational resources such as texts, experiments, tools and technology to help students learn. Recently, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) surfaced as another learning tool.
Integrating AI into the educational landscape offers an opportunity to enhance MSU learning experiences. In alignment with the university values of collaboration, equity, excellence, integrity and respect, this document guides students on the ethical and responsible use of AI in learning environments, should you choose to use the tool. Please follow the policies provided by your instructors or course syllabuses before using AI on assignments or in your classes.
Principles for AI in Learning
- Intentional Integration: AI should enhance learning, not replace understanding or fundamental skills. It should serve as a tool for idea generation, brainstorming or drafting, not as a substitute for active learning and engagement.
- People-oriented Approach: Although AI is a helpful tool, students should ensure that interaction and engagement with classmates, peers, and instructors remain at the core of their learning experience.
- Transparency and Disclosure: Communicate clearly and specifically to instructors and classmates if/when you use AI for assignments, brainstorming, etc. per the instructors’ guidance and class expectations. Note that expectations regarding the use of AI will differ from course to course, so it is your responsibility to ensure you understand the expectations for each course.
- Think Critically: AI combines information from across the Internet, so just as you should be critical when doing a Google search, you must review the AI results to ensure accuracy. Assess AI-generated content critically and approach the information with intellectual curiosity and skepticism when appropriate. Generative AI is built on information that is both accurate and inaccurate (or actively untruthful), and current generative AI algorithms "hallucinate" and may provide information that is partially or completely false.
- Stay Informed: Not all AI programs are created equally and some tools provide better results than others. Some tools have challenges related to providing unbiased results. Stay current with AI advancements to understand evolving trends and ethical implications.
AI Limitations
- Treat AI outputs with caution as their internal processes are not transparent, and their data may contain biases or inaccuracies. Strive to be thoughtful and critically reflective of AI biases to ensure fairness and non-discrimination in all AI-driven endeavors.
Sourcing and Ethical Use of AI
- Before using any AI tool, ensure that you evaluate it carefully and know what is acceptable when using it. Never assume that a generative AI tool is “safe” or “private,” even if you pay for access or a company you think is reputable provides it, unless you are expressly told so by MSU IT.
- Be cautious using AI tools to process confidential or personal data. For more information on data use and generative AI at MSU, please review the Interim Guidance on Data Uses and Risks of Generative AI.
- Never enter the information or intellectual property (e.g., copyrighted materials, trademarks, patented technologies) of another person into a generative AI tool, unless you have their expressed written consent. Putting confidential, copyrighted or personal data into these tools puts you and others at risk of losing important information.
- Remember that many generative AI models may retain what you enter in the program to train their models, so only ask questions or enter information that you would be ok having become public.
- When in doubt, ask! Check with your instructors to ensure that your use of generative AI aligns with what is acceptable for your class or project, and always inform your classmates and confirm they agree with using it for group projects, etc.