Navigating College in the Era of AI

People feel very differently about AI: some use it daily, some avoid it entirely, and some object to it on ethical grounds. How you engage with AI is a personal decision, and nothing here is meant to push you toward using it. Because AI is shaping the world you study in, understanding it matters either way, and if you do use it, the ideas here can help you do so with academic integrity, without losing your own voice or your opportunity to learn.

Guiding Ideas to Keep in Mind

• 1

  Know and follow your instructors' expectations

  (YOUR INSTITUTION) does not set one campus-wide rule for student AI use. Instead, every course states its own policy in the syllabus, using one of four categories: Open, Conditional, Restricted, or Closed (explained below). Your instructor will also disclose how they use AI in the course. Expectations can differ by course, by assignment, and by discipline, so read each syllabus, check each assignment, and ask your instructor whenever you are unsure. Policies may change as the technology changes, so stay informed.

• 2

  Learn about AI

  Everyone's future professional and personal success will be influenced by AI systems. Learn how they work. Understand their strengths and weaknesses. Ask questions, be curious, try things, share what you know and learn from others.

• 3

  Do the right thing

  Act with integrity. Make sure the work you submit is truly your own, and if you do use AI, disclose and cite it properly. Deepen your critical thinking skills and your ability to evaluate AI-generated content and spot false information, bias, and fake images, video, or audio. At (YOUR INSTITUTION), unauthorized AI use is treated as a violation under the Academic Integrity Policy, and the (YOUR LIBRARY) Citation Guide shows you how to cite or disclose AI.

• 4

  Think beyond your major

  AI cuts across every discipline, so it helps to think beyond your own. Stay aware of how AI is being adopted in your field, and lend your voice to that conversation: question it, point out where it falls short, encourage better alternatives, and ask how it affects the people with the least power. Your perspective on what AI should and should not do in your field matters.

• 5

  Commit to lifelong learning

  We are only at the beginning of the AI revolution. New tools and AI uses will continually emerge. Always be on the lookout for what's next. Work collaboratively with your peers and mentors. Adopt a lifelong learning mindset.

• 6

  Prioritize privacy and security

  Always remember that AI systems are not private; you have limited or no control over how your data will be used. Use only reputable platforms, understand the terms of service and share as little information as possible about yourself or others. Check (YOUR CAMPUS AI GUIDANCE) for which tools are approved for use with your campus account.

• 7

  Cultivate your human abilities

  Deepen your empathy and social skills. Stay focused on building strong relationships and thriving in the non-digital world. Exercise your apps-free creativity. Keep your unique human talents sharp in an environment filled with AI interactions.

Ground Rules for Your Classes

Every class has a syllabus that tells you about the plan for learning and the instructor's expectations. In most courses, instructors will also include rules for using AI. Read the syllabus carefully, and if AI isn't mentioned, ask the instructor about it right away.

Expect that AI policies will vary between instructors, courses and even by projects and class assignments. Some faculty members will encourage or even require you to use AI, while others will prohibit it. Those decisions are based on the learning goals for the course. Keep track of the policies for each course and assignment so you don't get confused.

(ADD YOUR CAMPUS POLICY.) Many institutions ask each syllabus to state its AI policy. For example, some use one of four categories like these:

An instructor may set a different rule for a named assignment, so always check the assignment as well as the syllabus.

Before You Use an AI Tool

Work through these questions before, during, and after an assignment. You should be able to answer "yes" to each one. Tick them off as you go.