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Adding AI to Cheating and Plagiarism Policy

Kent State revises its cheating and plagiarism policy to include generative artificial intelligence to guide faculty and students

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a reality for many industries and individuals. We use it for fun, in business and in the classroom. The question of how to use it appropriately drove some new revisions to 黑料网鈥檚 administrative policies.

A revision of the Administrative Policy 3342-3-01.8 Regarding Cheating and Plagiarism adds language surrounding content generated by internet-based generative artificial intelligence (GAI) programs for both cheating and plagiarism.

The university鈥檚 definition of generative artificial intelligence is 鈥渁ny internet-based generative artificial intelligence programs that make use of large language model algorithms to make something new.鈥

Tools used for auto-complete, minor text predictions, and/or grammar, spelling and punctuation suggestions, commonly found in most word-processing applications, are not considered generative artificial intelligence.

The policy was changed to add the 鈥済enerative artificial intelligence鈥 language, to clarify its meaning and to indicate that any use beyond what is permitted by instructors is considered a violation of academic integrity.

Jennifer Marcinkiewicz, Ph.D., director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and an associate professor of biological sciences, hopes that faculty will be transparent and clear on the expectations and permissions of the use of generative artificial intelligence.

鈥淚t鈥檚 never in our intention to try to trick the students into doing something or not make them aware,鈥 Marcinkiewicz said.  

As with most things, what is allowed in the classroom is up to the instructors. The choice to let students use artificial intelligence for assignments or in class is up to each class and its instructor.

For instance, the definition of 鈥渃heating鈥 in the policy was updated to include work generated by AI, 鈥渆xcept as expressly permitted by the instructor鈥 in relation to examinations, tests and quizzes as well as other assigned coursework.

The university definition of plagiarism was revised to 鈥渕eans to take and present as one鈥檚 own a material portion of the ideas or words of another person, persons, or GAI and present it as one鈥檚 own idea or work.鈥

鈥淲e鈥檙e certainly in favor of faculty doing that and being just as clear and transparent with students as they possibly can so that they can communicate to their students,鈥 Marcinkiewicz said.

The Kent State Board of Trustees was made aware of these changes during its quarterly meeting on March 6.

The Center for Teaching and Learning has developed additional resources that educate professors on AI and will continue to create and update university resources for students.  

鈥淲e are working very hard at developing new language to include this whole big new area of artificial intelligence. It鈥檚 a work in progress,鈥 Marcinkiewicz said.  

The University Policy Register serves as a compilation of the official university, administrative, and operational policies of Kent State. The policy register provides the university community with a source of reliable information and a foundation on which decisions can be made.

All revised sections of the policy will be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel and the President鈥檚 Cabinet and will go into effect on Aug. 19.  

Review generative artificial intelligence syllabus language examples.

POSTED: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:22 AM
Updated: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 04:22 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Samira Brown, Flash Communications
PHOTO CREDIT:
Banner images created by Image Creator from Microsoft Designer