Students

Student Use

At Charlotte, each professor determines permission to use AI for their course and sets course expectations. If you are unsure if AI is acceptable to use, check with your instructor. Remember: Even when you are allowed to use AI, you must always remain the primary author of your work.

If you are using a permitted AI resource, you should use it to enhance your work through fully engaging in conversation with AI. Using AI in this way is described in different disciplines as the AI-Human Loop, a concept that emphasizes the blend of human interaction with automated systems. When using AI for any purpose, integrate your personal knowledge and expertise. AI should enhance your understanding rather than be used t as a shortcut that could limit the learning and benefit students receive from their assignments. 

Collaborate with AI by:

  • Asking questions
  • Revising AI-generated text
  • Critiquing numerical output
  • Double-checking sources and facts

AI Checklist

Use the following checklist when deciding if and how to use AI for an assignment:

Before You Start

My professor permits the use of AI tools for this assignment.
I understand when and how to use AI for this assignment.
If there is any ambiguity about using a tool in a specific course or assignment I have asked my professor directly.

Doing the Work

I am using my own thoughts, words and tone.
I have verified and read sources generated by AI and properly cited any facts, statistics and quotes.
I have cited any primary sources that I found using AI.
I have critically analyzed AI output and identified any false, biased or harmful information.
I have documented where and how I used AI and cited it according to my professor’s expectations.
I have not entered any private, sensitive or protected data into an AI resource.

When the assignment is complete

I can explain my findings and demonstrate full understanding without the aid of AI.
I can prove what sources I used and how I verified the information.

Integrating AI in the Classroom

If AI is allowed for your class, here are some ideas about uses for generative AI:

  • Writing Assistance: Leverage AI at specific stages of your writing process to:
    • Brainstorm ideas
    • Organize content
    • Adjust style for your audience and purpose
    • Check clarity, grammar and citations
  • Creative Assistance: Use AI as an early step in your creative process.
    • AI can inspire your creativity in art, graphic design, music, performing arts and other expressions.
    • Always credit original creators.
  • Study Assistance: Use AI tools as a tutor partner.
    • Use AI to organize study notes and quizzes, and to test your understanding.
    • Critically evaluate the accuracy of these materials.
  • Research and Information Gathering: Synthesize and find information.
    • Ask AI to simplify complex concepts in an understandable way.
    • Locate sources and then verify AI output for credibility and relevance by reading original sources.
  • Data Analysis and Visualization: Simplify complex data.
    • Use AI to interpret data and create visualizations.
    • Ensure you can explain and justify the results. It’s important that you understand the data and how to process it to spot mistakes and explain outputs.

Risk, Errors, and Ethics of AI use

While generative AI can be an innovative and helpful tool, be aware of potential risks and ethical considerations. Limitations and ethical concerns include:

  • Bias In, Bias Out: Generative AI can perpetuate biases present in its training data.
  • Transparency of Algorithms: Lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes.
  • High Cost: Training and maintaining generative AI models is expensive.
  • Data Privacy: Risks of sensitive data being exposed or misused.
  • Intellectual Property: Challenges in protecting and respecting copyrights.
  • Misinformation: Potential for generating and spreading false information.
  • Environmental Impact: High energy consumption for training models.
  • Security Risks: Vulnerabilities to hacking and misuse. You should never put private or sensitive data into an AI resource.
  • Ethical Concerns: Issues around fairness, accountability and human oversight.

When does AI (artificial intelligence) become AI (academic integrity)? 

Students are integral members of the academic community, responsible for their academic work and abiding by the Code of Student Academic Integrity. As responsible members of the University community, students are expected to review and abide by expectations set forth by the faculty member regarding the use of artificial intelligence in course work, including reviewing the syllabus policy and/or notices on exams and assignments. If students are unsure if they are able to use artificial intelligence, they are expected to seek clarification from their faculty member regarding expectations related to academic work. 

AI Resources for Students