These are some of the considerations you must make before using Generative AI in an ethical way.
Plagiarism means using someone else's work, words, or ideas without giving them credit. If you submit GenAI content for assessment, such as text, images, or ideas without mentioning where you got them from, that is plagiarism. This is a serious breach of academic integrity and can have severe consequences. However, if your assignment requires you to use GenAI, then it is essential that you clearly differentiate between the GenAI content and your own original work.
Using AI for an assignment without permission is also classified as cheating, as this can also be construed as not following the assignment instructions.
While GenAI tools provide information and content, it is not always accurate. Because these tools rely on patterns and examples from their training data, it can be prone to misinformation and limited answers. Additionally, when GenAI models don't know the answer, they will often make it up. This is called AI hallucination. Using AI responsibly means ensuring all information is accurate and reliable through critical evaluation and fact-checking.
Privacy and security are significant concerns when using GenAI. If you use these tools, you are sharing data that may include sensitive or personal information. This is because anything you feed into LLMs could be added to their training data. If you notice any concerns or security issues, report them immediately.
Bias in LLMs is present as these tools are trained on large datasets that contain already include existing prejudices. Furthermore, the individuals who contribute and process the data for these GenAI instruments can also influence the data. Because GenAI does not have the capability to reason or conduct research, it is accepted that these biases will exist. To maintain academic integrity, you should be aware of bias, critically evaluate your sources, and verify all AI output.
Ensuring that learning resources are accessible to all is essential for maintaining equal chances for university students. While numerous GenAI tools are available at no cost, a growing number are introducing subscription fees for access to their services. Additionally, tools such as ChatGPT present a basic version for free, yet charge for access to ‘premium’ capabilities. Such costs can become obstacles, putting those who cannot afford them at a disadvantage.
GenAI may lack transparency because they use data and algorithms to create output. A reliable source should be transparent and accountable. If a source is not, it raises serious ethical concerns. When a GenAI model is not transparent, you may not know how it collected its data or what data it was trained on. This means you can't tell if the process was ethical and respected privacy and consent. Because you can't tell how data was collected or what data the tool uses, it can be challenging to understand the limitations and biases of the system.
Before using GenAI tools, consider: