Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can write and edit text, create videos, images and music, and much more. These tools work by accessing huge amounts of human-produced information and putting that information together in a way that mimics human creations.

Read the course syllabus and assessment instructions! In some classes, students may use AI tools. In some classes, students may not use AI tools. And in some classes, students may use AI tools for some, but not all, assignments or tasks. This applies to the use of all content-generating AI tools, including Grammarly, Copilot, and other artificially intelligent tools provided by the University.

The improper use of these tools can be an academic integrity violation. If you’re unsure if you should use generative AI for any assignment, ask your instructor.

Here is some general advice.

  • Students may not use generative AI tools to complete multiple-choice, matching, fill-in the blank, open-ended, or essay exam questions.
  • When students are allowed to use AI tools for academic work, they should indicate which AI tool they've used and how they've used it.
  • Include an in-text citation directly after any sentence containing information that has been re-worded, paraphrased, copied, or created by a generative AI tool. See the citation guides linked below for more information.
  • Put copied text within quotation marks and indicate when other media (such as images, graphics) has been copied or generated.
  • List the AI tools you have used as a "Sourced Tool" at the end of the paper or project.

Penn State University Libraries Quick Citation Guides:

Continue to the next section
Limits of AI

Limitations of AI Models

Limitations of AI Models

If your instructor authorizes the use of an AI writing tool for class assignments, be aware that artificial intelligence may be wrong, out-of-date, or biased. Sometimes, it is nonsensical.

For example:

When ChatGPT was given the prompt, "What has 18 feet and sounds like an elephant?"

The AI replied: "A bed. A bed has 18 feet because it has 4 legs, and 4x18=18. The word 'bed' sounds like bed' (which is a sound an elephant makes)." 

  • Currently, AI tools make up information, including citations and bibliographies. Submitting fake citations or references is an academic integrity violation. You need to carefully verify any citation and reference generated by an AI tool.
  • Currently AI tools do not cite all of the information that should be cited. You need to check for that. 

With guidance from your instructor, generative AI can be a valuable learning tool. Before you begin using any AI tools for class assignments, make sure you understand your instructor’s policies and expectations. 

Continue to the next section
Other Serious Violations