How do I set and communicate an AI policy?

concept image of a compass pointing to the word 'integrity'

What is the University of Missouri System’s policy on student AI use?

As per the Standard of Conduct, the University of Missouri System has decided to leave to each individual faculty member or their departments the decision of whether students can use generative AI in their coursework. The default policy is that if an instructor does not clearly allow the use of generative AI, it is forbidden. With this policy, the University of Missouri System has decided that each individual instructor is best equipped to judge and decide what role generative AI should play in students’ learning, if any. Please consult AI syllabus information to learn more.

What are the different kinds of policies I could adopt and implement on AI use in my course?

A helpful analogy to use when developing your AI policy is a stoplight.

  • Red light: Students must “stop” when it comes to AI use. They cannot and should not use this technology to any extent or for any purpose. They should do their learning and thinking without turning to AI.
  • Yellow light: Students must “proceed with caution” when it comes to AI use. They can use this technology in certain contexts and for certain purposes. They can use generative AI to support their learning and thinking, but only somewhat and under specific conditions you have set.
  • Green light: Students can “go” when it comes to AI use. They can use this technology throughout their learning and with any assessment if they so wish. Something to emphasize, even if you do take a “green light” approach, is that students should remain a “human in the loop,” reviewing and taking ownership of their work, given concerns about the accuracy and biases of these tools.

How do I decide on and communicate policies, expectations and guidelines regarding student AI use in my courses?

Consider your own teaching context: You should always begin with your learning objectives when considering what policy to adopt and use in your course. What policies involving generative AI would ensure students achieve the set learning outcomes and objectives? Another question to consider is: How would using generative AI help students build 21st century skills, such as creativity and communication, while still being realistic and offering opportunities for students to learn new technologies? The AI assessment scale is a helpful framework for thinking about the extent to which you would like to let students use this technology in their learning and with assessments.

Once you have decided on an AI policy, you will need to:

  • Introduce it at the beginning of the semester.
  • Return to it throughout the semester.

Introducing an AI policy

Whatever policy is adopted, you might like to at least integrate the following two items into your teaching early in the semester across each course you teach. Implementing these will give students clear guidelines regarding the use of generative AI in their studies for the rest of the semester:

  • Syllabus statements: The syllabus for a class should include a section discussing generative AI and indicate any standards or guidelines for both appropriate and inappropriate use thereof. As a matter of fact, if you teach at Mizzou, you are required to include a syllabus statement on AI use! Including such a section will ensure students understand what the instructor allows and expects in terms of AI use. It is essential to identify and describe the contexts (when, where, how, why and for what) students can use generative AI in the course, if any.
  • A discussion early in the course: In addition to developing a syllabus statement, instructors could engage students in a conversation about generative AI. Rather than lecturing them, invite them to share how they could most effectively use generative AI while maintaining responsibility for and actively participating in their learning. You might find yourself surprised by how students respond!

Something that you may like to do is use the discussion with students to generate the syllabus statement. In other words, you could collaborate with students in each course you teach to develop the expectations and policies surrounding the use of generative AI. Involving students in the process of developing the AI policy will build goodwill and encourage compliance!

Below, please find some examples of AI syllabus statements:

Reiterating an AI policy

You might have already introduced and set your policy at the start of the course, but your students will appreciate and benefit from your reiteration of it throughout the course. Why is this? Your students might need to navigate several different AI policies across the classes they are taking, something that might overwhelm and confuse them. Needless to say, it would become challenging to keep track of these different policies on top of everything else! It is also possible that you might allow AI more on certain assessments and less on others.

Therefore, please consider reiterating and reinforcing your policy when introducing new assessments, as appropriate. In addition, you might like to invite students to participate in a discussion about how AI could play a unique, appropriate and ethical role with each individual assessment, if students can use this technology.

Please watch the video below to learn more about deciding on and communicating your AI policy.

How can I ensure students comply with the AI policies I have set?

The bad news

It is impossible to ensure that students will comply with the policy you have set, at least in asynchronous online courses. Proctoring solutions might mitigate the use of this technology, but some might debate and question the use of surveillance technologies to preserve academic integrity.

The good news

Please remember that some of the best practices in teaching and learning can help with mitigating the temptation to use AI. With effective instruction and well-designed assessments, you can prevent the risk of students feeling inclined to use these tools in inappropriate ways. In the video below, you will learn more about various strategies you can use to ensure academic integrity, whatever policy you have chosen.

To learn more about strategies to sustain and promote academic integrity, please consider enrolling in and completing the “Academic integrity in the age of AI” sprint, available from your campus.