Use AI responsibly

This page explains what’s allowed, how to acknowledge AI use, how to protect your privacy, and how to verify AI-supported work before you submit.

What’s allowed How to disclose AI use Ethics checklist

Tip: Keep a short AI use log while you work (date, tool, what you did, what changed). It makes disclosure easy and protects your marks.

What’s allowed? (quick guide)

Always check your assignment brief. Policies differ by task and module.

Green — usually allowed

Brainstorming topics and outlines
Explaining concepts in your own words
Checking grammar and clarity
Creating revision questions from your notes

Amber — ask first

Summarising readings you cannot share (copyright/confidential)
Rewriting paragraphs for you
Producing reference lists (risk of fabricated citations)
Uploading personal data or other students’ work

Red — not allowed

Submitting AI‑generated text or images as your own ideas
Faking or padding citations/DOIs
Using AI during closed assessments without permission
Automating tasks the brief asks you to do yourself

Assignment AI levels (check your brief)

Many modules specify how AI may be used for each assessment. Here’s a student‑friendly summary:

Level 1

No AI

No AI at any stage. E.g., closed exams.

Level 2

Planning only

Brainstorm/outline OK; no AI text in final work.

Level 3

Editing only

AI can improve clarity/grammar; ideas are yours.

Level 4

AI + analysis

AI produces parts; you critique/justify and cite.

Level 5

Collaborate

AI is a co‑pilot throughout; disclose usage.

Level 6

Local extension

A module may require AI use as part of the assessment. Use must be evidenced, reflected on and assessed according to that brief.

Always check your assignment brief. If unsure, ask your lecturer before using AI.

How to acknowledge AI use

If AI helped you plan, edit or generate parts of your work, note it briefly. Keep a log while you work, then add a sentence to your introduction, methodology, or acknowledgements.

Short disclosure (generic)

I used an AI assistant (ChatGPT) to help brainstorm an outline and improve clarity. All ideas, analysis and final wording are my own. I verified facts and checked all references.

Method-style disclosure (Level 4–6)

We used NotebookLM to query course readings and produce initial summaries. We cross-checked claims against the original sources and wrote our own synthesis. Draft sections were refined with Grammarly. Prompts and iterations are logged in Appendix A.

AI use log template (copy into your notes)

Date | Tool | Purpose | Prompt/Action | What changed | Checks
—|—|—|—|—|—
2025‑10‑07 | ChatGPT | Brainstorm outline | “Suggest 5 angles on …” | Picked #3; added my examples | Facts checked in readings
2025‑10‑08 | Grammarly | Edit | “Clarity + active voice” | Shorter sentences; no content changes | Reran Turnitin draft

Protect your data

Choose the smallest exposure that fits the job. A more private tool can reduce data risk, but it does not make AI output accurate or automatically permitted for an assessment.

Do not upload unless clearly allowed

Remove names, IDs, emails, and any personal/health data
Do not upload other students' work, feedback or private messages
Do not upload placement, employer, client or workplace material
Do not upload unpublished, confidential, embargoed or copyrighted material unless you have permission
Do not upload assessment briefs or data if your module says the work must be completed without AI

Good habits

Prefer institution-approved tools for anything beyond public, low-risk material
Check whether chat history, training, retention and sharing settings are turned on
Use private or local tools for practice if privacy matters, but still verify the output
Verify facts and citations — do not paste AI references blindly
Keep an AI use log; save key prompts and iterations
When unsure, ask your module leader and disclose

VALID-AI: before it goes near your assignment

Use this quick checklist for anything AI helped you produce, summarise or improve.

Verify sources

Check that every citation exists and says what the output claims.

Assess authority

Prioritise your module readings, library sources, primary material and official data.

Look for bias

Ask what voices, methods, places or perspectives are missing.

Identify limits

Separate evidence, interpretation and speculation before you use anything.

Document use

Record the tool, date, prompt, sources provided, changes made and checks completed.

Quick ethics checklist

Sense‑check a tool or workflow before you use it.

Think wider than the assignment

Bias & discrimination

Models can mirror historical bias. Cross‑check and bring multiple perspectives.

Privacy & surveillance

Know what data is collected and where it goes.

Truth & plagiarism

Avoid passing off AI work as your own; cite tools where appropriate.

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