While it is unusual for faculty to update a course syllabus mid-semester, the unprecedented impacts of ChatGPT and AI technology have many looking for ways to provide more guidance for their students. In this post, I’d like to share different versions of what syllabi statements on ChatGPT and AI-generated material can look like.  

These can take different approaches. Here are some examples:

Example 1: 

Here is one such example co-created by the CSU Composition Program:

A Note on AI: This class is specifically a space for learning and practicing invaluable writing and researching processes that cannot be replicated by generative artificial intelligence (AI). While the ever-changing (and exciting!) new developments with AI will find their place in our workforces and personal lives, in the realm of education, this kind of technology can counteract learning. This is because the use of AI diminishes opportunities to learn from our experiences and from each other, to play with our creative freedoms, to problem-solve, and to contribute our ideas in authentic ways. In a nutshell, college is a place for learning, and this AI simply cannot do that learning for us. Academic integrity plays a vital role in the learning that takes place in CO 150, and submitting work as your own that was generated by AI is plagiarism. For all of these reasons, any work written, developed, created, or inspired by generative artificial intelligence does not lend itself to our learning goals and is a breach of ethical engagement and CSU’s academic integrity policy. 

Note that this statement sets the expectation that any use on graded work/ work for credit will be considered a violation of the academic misconduct policy. Also, I really love how this statement shares its reasoning and approaches it with a positive tone and care for the student. 

Example 2:

This statement may unfold in this manner:

Generally speaking, you are not authorized to use artificial intelligence engines, software, or artwork generating programs (or similar) to produce work for this class EXCEPT on assignments that I have identified and for which you will have received significant guidance on appropriate use of such technologies. I will provide more information about the specific assignment when the time is appropriate in the course. You may not, however, construe this limited use as permission to use these technologies in any other facet of this course. 

In this statement, the instructor makes it clear that only certain uses will be acceptable and that the student can expect future communication and instruction in those cases. In that scenario, the student has a reasonable expectation that the instructor will use signaling language when the work is assigned and that there will be significant guidance at that time about how to use the technology. 

Example 3:

This statement may unfold in this manner: 

From this point forward, I will assume that all written work has been co-authored or entirely written by ChatGPT.  I will grade such writing as I normally would and your grade will be a reflection of your ability to harness these new technologies as you prepare for your future in a workforce that will increasingly require your proficiency with AI-assisted work. 

This is based on a real statement I saw in early February 2023. I felt many emotions while reading it. While this author might be right about AI technology’s future in the workplace eventually, not preparing students to communicate effectively according to the current standards of our disciplines is widely seen as an abdication of our responsibility to them. There is something very human in this response to ChatGPT, though, and I sympathize with faculty who feel exhausted at the prospect of having to combat yet another technology with the potential to undermine higher education. 

Last Thoughts

As you can imagine, the right syllabus statement for your course can fall anywhere in between these examples. However,  it is important that they remain consistent with university and department policy on assessing student work. Finally, the most important part of including a statement is that it provides clarity to your students about your expectations. Hopefully, it can also be the starting point for an evolving conversation.