Generative AI tools (Gemini, CoPilot, ChatGPT and more)

Using GenAI tools as a student

Check your syllabus to learn about GenAI use in your course

• Each class or project might have different rules or expectations on AI use. Each instructor gets to decide how they are using or not using these tools in their classes. Check each syllabus for your instructor's guidelines.
• If you are unsure of what GenAI use is allowed, it is your responsibility to ask your instructor or professor about it. Here are some examples of how it might be in the syllabus. 
• When permitted, you can use AI tools for help but not to do the work for you, unless your instructor says it’s okay to use GenAI in a specific way.

Acknowledge and cite your AI content and use

• Keep track of how you are using GenAI tools and draft an AI statement or acknowledgement for your project - describing how you have used Generative AI in the process of creating your paper or assignment.
• If you are using an AI-generated text, images, or other media, be sure to cite it as a "source" so your readers/instructors know the origins of the material. 
• Follow your instructor's rules for citing or acknowledging AI use in your course. If you’re uncertain, ask your instructor about it. APA, MLA, and other citation styles now have guidelines and examples for citing generative AI work.

When using GenAI in your coursework

• Ensure all work submitted is your own, with your unique voice and ideas. 
• Share with caution: Any information you share with an AI tool is no longer private and may be used in ways you can’t control.
• Use UMN licensed tools (e.g. you login with your UMN email) like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. They include some data protections but never share sensitive, personal or confidential information about yourself, others or your organization with AI systems.

GenAI and academic integrity

• Since there are many ways to use a generative AI tool -- the answer on whether using it is considered scholastic dishonesty is it DEPENDS.
• Using (like copying and pasting) texts or code that is created by a GenAI tool, directly in an assignment or Canvas post, for example, would be considered plagiarism and is covered under the UMN Student Conduct Code on Scholastic Dishonesty.
• Plagiarism is defined in the Conduct Code as, "representing the words, creative work, or ideas of another person as one’s own without providing proper documentation of source." Those some students might point out that words created by a GenAI tool isn't a person -- these arguments miss the intent of the policy. 
• Your instructor will determine whether it is a violation of scholastic dishonesty. If you aren't sure, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR for clarity.
• Visit Academic Integrity at the University of Minnesota to learn more. You will learn strategies for attribution, acknowledgement and citation of sources that can be applied to GenAI sources. 

When should I cite GenAI tools as a source?

• If you are doing research ABOUT Generative AI or other tools and using it is the topic and want to include example, you should cite the output like any other source or evidence (e.g. in APA or MLA style)
• If you are using GenAI to help analyze texts or using it as a tool, include information on how you are using it in your assignment.
• If you are using a GenAI tool to help with background research, to create outlines, select keywords, etc. -- you should likely check with your instructor about their class policies.
• GenAI output isn't considered a credible source for academic research and writing because of the way the technology works (algorithmically giving you the next best word).

Generative AI tools often create citations for articles and sources that don't exist. These are called hallucinations - a common limitation of GenAI output. 

While these tools might give you a citation for an article by an author(s) that usually writes about your topic, or even identify a journal that publishes on your topic, but the title, pages numbers, and dates are fictional. These tools make a "best guess" as to the article titles and sources that you want in your research.

Yet -- they might give you actual real article citations, too. So you need to check. You can try to see if the articles are real by searching in Libraries Search on our home page or in Google Scholar or Google.

Generative AI tools are more effective for tasks like:

• brainstorming and getting creative topic ideas
• editing and constructive criticism of your writing
• explaining concepts at multiple difficulty levels
• summarizing long texts

• other writing and text-related tasks.

Generative AI tools are not designed to be a search engine. Use Libraries Search, Google Scholar, or databases for your discipline instead for more effective, reliable, and relevant results.