Setting Expectations and AI Policy
1. Clearly Define Acceptable AI Usage
Begin by specifying which AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, AI-driven research assistants) are permitted for assignments, projects, or examinations, and clearly state how they should—or should not—be used. For example, you may explicitly allow AI for preliminary research, brainstorming, or improving clarity in writing, while restricting its use for original critical analysis or assessments designed to measure personal mastery.
Sample syllabus language:
"In this course, AI tools such as ChatGPT may be used for initial idea generation and clarifying concepts; however, direct use of AI-generated content as your own analytical or creative work is strictly prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the instructor."
2. Address Academic Integrity and Attribution
Clearly explain to students that the use of AI tools must be transparently acknowledged. Establish guidelines for citing AI-generated ideas or content to maintain academic integrity and clarify standards for original work. Offer students explicit examples of correct citation formats for AI-generated content.
Sample syllabus language:
"Any ideas, concepts, or text developed with the assistance of an AI tool must be clearly cited in your submissions. Failure to attribute AI-generated content appropriately will be considered plagiarism and may result in academic penalties."
3. Communicate Ethical Considerations and Responsibility
Highlight ethical responsibilities related to AI use, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and avoidance of bias or misrepresentation. Encourage students to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with AI, reflecting on how AI use aligns with professional and academic ethical standards.
Sample syllabus language:
"As part of our commitment to ethical learning, students are expected to critically reflect on the ethical implications of using AI. Discussions around bias, representation, privacy, and fairness associated with AI will be integral to course dialogue and assignments."
4. Clarify Consequences for Misuse
Clearly outline the consequences for violating the course’s AI policy, aligning them with the institution’s broader academic integrity policies. Transparency about these consequences helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures equitable enforcement of expectations.
Sample syllabus language:
"Misuse of AI tools—such as unauthorized use on assessments, failure to cite appropriately, or submission of fully AI-generated work as your own—will be treated as violations of academic integrity policies, potentially leading to disciplinary action as outlined in the University’s Code of Conduct."
5. Foster Open Communication
Encourage students to communicate openly with you about any uncertainty regarding AI policies. Creating a welcoming environment for dialogue reduces confusion and supports student success.
Sample syllabus language:
"If you are unsure whether the use of an AI tool aligns with course guidelines, please reach out to me directly for clarification. Open communication helps ensure you understand expectations and remain academically successful."
By explicitly outlining these policies and expectations, you help students engage meaningfully, ethically, and responsibly with AI, setting a clear foundation for academic success and integrity in your course.
First-Day AI Conversation
Be clear with your students about how AI will be used in your classroom. Point to your specific AI syllabus policy and answer any questions that may come up during the discussion. You may want to provide specific examples of what may or may not be considered acceptable practices. For example, consider how you will handle instances of students using Grammarly or other such tools that may seem like gray areas. Explain to your students that you may be using an AI checker like Turnitin to determine if their work is original and express to them the importance of using AI as a tool rather than as a substitute for their own thinking. Lastly, be ready to have this conversation not only on the first day of class but also as a reminder throughout the rest of the term.
NOTE: AI checkers like Turnitin are not 100% reliable. If you are getting repeatedly high plagiarism scores or you strongly suspect students are cheating, please come and see the CAT staff and we can assist you in rethinking the assessment structure so the learning outcomes are met, but cheating is less likely.
Academic Conduct
FIU’s Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) office is charged with handling all university cases of academic misconduct based on the Student Conduct and Honor Code. This includes instances of cheating or plagiarism based on how a student may have used AI (or automated tools) in the classroom. SCAI differentiates between the two:
Cheating — the unauthorized access or use of any materials, information, study aids, automated tools, or assistance from another person on any academic assignment or exercise.
Plagiarism — the submission of any work authored by another person or automated tool without proper acknowledgment of the source, whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form.
The burden of proof is on the university for all academic misconduct cases. This means that FIU faculty are required to report all misconduct instances to SCAI. SCAI is responsible for determining whether a reported case of cheating or plagiarism with AI has occurred, and they make this determination based on the reporting professor’s AI syllabus policy.
Additional Suggested Syllabus Language
The Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) at Florida International University provide the following approaches and examples to creating an AI syllabus policy. Each of these approaches and examples can be taken as is or combined into something more comprehensive. Note: the Course and Discipline Specific Language examples are quite extensive.