As artificial intelligence continues to become normalized and more accessible, universities have implemented policies for the use of AI in academic work. While many surrounding universities have different takes on AI usage, much of Wright State University's student’s acceptable AI usage is dependent on the professor.
WSU's AI restrictions
For a student experiencing end-of-semester burnout with large amounts of coursework and little time, common artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can be tempting.
AI, as defined by WSU, consists of any type of software that can create, write or rewrite any form of content. As AI has entered the popular sphere and can be used by everyday people, the issue of students using AI to complete assignments and turn in unauthentic work has been addressed by nearly every university.
The negatives of the tool have been addressed countless times in the context of academic institutions. Often, professors worry that use of AI will prevent a student from properly learning and digesting course material needed for that career field.
“The use of generative AI of any kind in these assignments poses a risk that such work, its purposes and ultimately any academic benefit it could provide the student, may be undermined and will be graded accordingly,” WSU’s AI policy stated.
The general policy for WSU professors and students is that using generative AI tools to complete coursework that relies on skills such as personal expression, research or reflection is prohibited.
Professors with coursework that relies on the above skills are expected to enforce the universities policy to students enrolled in such courses.
“We faculty members were told by the dean's office to include a prohibitive statement in our syllabi that addresses the forbidden use of AI,” Mary Rucker, WSU professor of communications, stated.
However, there is a lot of freedom given to professors, as AI tools have a variety of features that have the ability to enhance a students’ work without restricting learning and engagement with content. The university allows professors to establish protocols in courses, making it so that professors can allow AI tools to be used, if appropriate for the course.
WSU’s AI policy, while prohibiting AI tools for coursework, ultimately does give freedom to professors on the topic, making policy not very cohesive.
AI detection and punishments
The AI discussion at WSU remains one that contains differing opinions from faculty depending on what major a student is studying.
Some professors allow AI tools to be used in certain courses, and others even encourage the use of the tool.
Some encourage AI tools as a way of brainstorming and even critiquing drafts. Others that do not allow any use of AI have to be able to detect suspicious work to ensure the work is authentic. Valerie Shalin, Provost Faculty Fellow for Campus AI Literacy, discussed this.
"We do have an application, called Turnitin, which compares student work with AI-generated work on the same topic. This provides professors with some quantitative evidence regarding the potential for AI generated content in the student work,” Shalin said.
Shalin noted that Turnitin is not always accurate, and these allegations are to be followed up with a face-to-face interview.
As for punishment, unethical creation of work can be presented to the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel for proper punishment. Others find that the long-term effects of using AI for work are much more powerful.
“Reliance on generative AI will not help them become resilient in the future job market, which is an important outcome from a university education. We can think of this vulnerability as the ultimate life-long punishment,” Shalin said.
Neighboring university policies
In comparison to other big-name universities in Ohio, WSU’s policy on the use of generative AI tools does not place much value on AI in learning environments.
Ohio State University’s policy reads similar to WSU, with providing statements for professors to use that limit usage of AI, while also giving professors the ultimate say on AI use.
The University of Cincinnati places value on AI tools, even having approved AI tools listed on the university’s website. These are tools that have been approved to meet the university’s standards and enhance learning without students becoming reliant on it.
“The University of Cincinnati is committed to empowering its students, faculty, and staff with cutting-edge AI tools and resources that enhance learning, research, and innovation,” UC stated.
Many hold the opinion that forbidding AI use on assignments will not stop students from using the tool, and that it would be more beneficial to provide students with AI tools that enhance learning.
It is unknown what the future of AI at WSU will entail, but the technology is continuing to break into academic spheres, and change the way that students are learning.
