Communiqué for Faculty on Generative AI Tools
Office of Education | 4 July 2023
The emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies and tools that can generate content including written text, software code and images (e.g., ChatGPT, DALLE2, Midjourney), has generated much interest in higher education while concerns have also been raised about possible misuse, plagiarism, stifling creatively/originality and etc.
SUTD’s stance on Generative AI Tools is as follows: the use of Generative AI tools is acceptable when used ethically and responsibly to enhance teaching and learning.
SUTD educators have embraced these new technologies and are already applying Generative AI tools in their respective courses to transform teaching, learning, and assessment in innovative ways while being cognizant of the need to:
-
prepare students to use these tools ethically and critically; and
-
enable students to acquire critical technical knowledge, skills and core competencies needed in their domains.
While noting that courses in different domains/ disciplines may require different approaches on the selection and use of Generative AI tools, the general guidelines / advisories listed below aim to help SUTD faculty address the challenges of teaching as these tools continue to evolve.
- The use of Generative AI tools is allowed in situations where it can enhance and augment learning and help students to achieve higher level thinking.
-
SUTD educators should carefully assess the capabilities and limitations of Generative AI tools in the context of their courses and determine if using them would assist in meeting the learning objectives or measurable outcomes more effectively while not impeding students from acquiring the critical technical knowledge or core competencies they will need in their domains.
-
SUTD educators should continually review and re-design class assignments and assessments with the purpose of enabling students to demonstrate capacity for critical thinking, innovation, and originality as the Generative AI tools they use in their courses are also continually evolving.
-
SUTD educators should be explicit with students on whether the use of such Generative AI tools are permitted in their course and if so, they should educate students on:
-
how to use the tools ethically but not as a replacement for their own original / intellectual contributions
-
what constitutes unauthorised use of such tools and therefore academic misconduct
-
the need to acknowledge the use of Generative AI tools (how they were used etc.)
-
being aware of the limitations of Generative AI tools
-
being able to question the validity of the results produced by the AI tools
-
SUTD has clear and established rules on plagiarism, including breaches of academic integrity with the use of AI-assisted tools and apps. Students are bound by the tenets of the SUTD Honour Code* to always conduct themselves with integrity and accountability. The use of AI-assisted tools and apps for all SUTD courses whether in course work or projects (including UROP and Capstone) to generate content to pass off as one’s own work constitutes plagiarism and therefore a breach of academic integrity. Students who are found guilty of plagiarism will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Framework.
* Refer to policies on upholding academic integrity at MyPortal (via > Student Matters and Policies > Student Matters > University Policies > Academic Integrity / Student Discipline).
-
SUTD educators should establish mechanisms and rubrics to measure effective learning in courses where Generative AI tools are permitted e.g., conducting key assessments in closed-room settings, including an oral/demonstration component, etc.
-
While Generative AI detection tools (e.g., Turnitin AI Detector) can be used to initiate an internal investigation into suspected academic misconduct cases, it cannot be used as evidence against students. SUTD educators need to provide evidence other than those produced by Generative AI detection tools, before lodging the case with the Office of Student Administration.
-
SUTD educators and researchers need to be cautious with the data they share with Generative AI Tools as the providers of these tools may have the legal rights to collect your data and use it to their benefit. It is prohibited to share or input confidential information or data into Generative AI Tools which include:
-
personal data whether true or not about an individual which can be identified from the data and other information to which SUTD has or is likely to have access.
-
any information/data in whatever form which SUTD receives from third parties under obligations of confidentiality. Such confidentiality obligations may be set out in contracts such as non-disclosure agreements, collaboration agreements, funding agency’s grant terms etc.
-
any information/data in whatever form which is classified as ‘Confidential’ or ‘Restricted’ under the Data Classification Policy.
-
research data as defined under the Research Data Management Policy.
-
An AI Generative Content (AIGC) resource centre is being set up to provide advice, support, and generate awareness on how to use Generative AI tools appropriately for learning and teaching. Details will be announced in due course. In the meantime, to help support students to use Generative AI tools ethically and appropriately while understanding their benefits and limitations, an info-guide titled 'ChatGPT - An Introduction' is now available (view info-guide).
Concluding Statement
This is a living document which will be updated alongside developments in the field of Generative AI. Students will be encouraged to reach out to Faculty for more clarity on the use of generative AI tools in their courses and should be made aware of the benefits, pitfalls and policies governing the use of such AI tools.
Useful Resources/References