Body
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including supported tools such as Copilot and Adobe AI tools, are rapidly evolving and increasingly present in educational and professional contexts. In alignment with our university’s mission to prepare students for life, work, and citizenship in the twenty-first century, we recognize the importance of engaging with emerging technologies in thoughtful, responsible, and ethical ways.
As AI tools become more integrated into academic and professional environments, students will likely encounter and experiment with these technologies in and beyond the classroom. To promote transparency and support academic integrity, all faculty are encouraged to clearly communicate their expectations around student use of AI in coursework.
Below are four sample syllabus statements, each reflecting a different stance on AI use, from fully restricted to actively encouraged. Faculty are welcome to adapt these statements to fit their discipline, course objectives, and personal teaching philosophy.
For additional resources or support in navigating AI in teaching and learning, faculty may contact SCSU Online. We continue to update our knowledge base to reflect new developments, address common questions, and integrate evolving best practices.
Question
What is an example statement I can add to my syllabus about artificial intelligence use?
Answer
The below examples may be modified to fit your course syllabus:
❌ AI Use Not Permitted in This Course
The focus of this course is to cultivate your independent thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is not permitted for any aspect of your coursework, including supported tools such as Copilot and Adobe AI tools. AI is not permitted for brainstorming, drafting, summarizing, editing, or generating course-related content of any kind. The learning intentions of this course are dependent on you building foundational experiences prior to AI use. Using AI tools at this point is inconsistent with that learning process and is considered a violation of our institution’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Suspected use of AI technologies will be addressed through a private conversation which may result in advancing through the university Academic Integrity procedures. If you are unsure whether a particular use of technology is appropriate, please ask before proceeding.
🔴 Cautious Use of AI (Limited/Restricted)
While supported AI tools such as Copilot and Adobe AI tools are available, they are not intended for academic use in this course unless explicitly permitted. If there are assignments in this course where AI-use is permitted, it will be clearly communicated. You are expected to complete assignments, projects, and discussions using your own original thought and academic effort.
If there is reason to believe that AI was used inappropriately, we will initiate a conversation consistent with our Academic Integrity Policy, similar to our process for addressing plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration.
Please reach out if you are uncertain about what constitutes the appropriate use of technology. You are responsible for understanding and upholding the Academic Integrity expectations of this course and institution.
🟡 Exploratory Use of AI (Supportive but Limited)
Supported tools such as Copilot and Adobe AI tools may be used in this course for limited academic tasks such as idea generation, outlining, or early-stage revisions. However, all submitted work must reflect your own understanding, voice, and academic reasoning.
AI tools should serve as a support, not a replacement, for your thinking. Submitting work that is primarily AI-generated without acknowledgment is a breach of our Academic Integrity Policy.
If you use AI tools as part of your process, you must be transparent about how they were used (e.g., “Used Copilot to draft bullet points; expanded and revised with personal analysis”). When in doubt, ask for clarification before submitting your work.
Please consult the Academic Integrity Policy for more information and let’s maintain an open dialogue about ethical and responsible technology use.
🟢 Encouraged Use of AI (Integrated and Critical)
This course encourages thoughtful, ethical use of AI tools to enhance your learning and creativity. Supported tools such as Copilot and Adobe AI tools may be used to assist with academic tasks, including brainstorming, media generation, and content development, as long as your engagement with the material remains clear and meaningful.
You are expected to critically reflect on when and how AI is used, and to clearly document that use (e.g., “Visual concept generated with Adobe AI tools and refined based on peer feedback”). Your final work must demonstrate your understanding and academic contribution.
Misrepresenting AI-assisted work as fully your own is a violation of our Academic Integrity Policy. We will discuss how to responsibly integrate these tools into your learning. If questions arise, I encourage you to ask and explore them with me and your peers.