The new University guidance shows you what you can, shouldn't and mustn't do when it comes to generative AI (GenAI).
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human thought processes by computers. AI has been around for a while. It powers the predictive text on your phone, spell checks your Word document or recommends items for your online shop. AI can be a useful tool.
Generative AI (GenAI) is a more recent development. With your prompts, tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can process large amounts of data and create content. However, it is important to use these tools effectively and ethically, and to recognise their limitations. GenAI cannot think or create anything original. Those skills are up to you.
GenAI is not neutral. Just like any other source of information, it can be biased, inaccurate or discriminatory. It can be difficult to see where GenAI gets its information from, so it can be hard to evaluate the results you are given. It can also use the works of others without acknowledgement or permission. For example, this Perplexity.ai generated text names sources, but doesn’t cite them in the answer. In academic work, that’s plagiarism.
GenAI text could be helpful in explaining the basics of a topic and suggesting good search keywords. It is not something you can directly cite, and it is unlikely to lead you to good quality sources to read and reference.
GenAI outputs can be poor quality. You will find inaccurate information and fake references to sources that do not exist. You should fact check the information GenAI gives you.
The University recognises the potential for GenAI to enhance your learning. It can help you with a range of tasks, from brainstorming ideas to summarising texts or suggesting a structure for your assignments. However, it is important to use it critically and responsibly. Always make sure it adds to your learning and does not replace it. The work you submit must be your own. If you are unsure whether you are using GenAI appropriately, please speak to your module tutor.
It is possible to use GenAI to search for information using natural language rather than keywords. However, as with keywords, it is best to be precise. Vague prompts lead to vague answers.
AI cannot search most academic journal articles or ebooks as they are behind paywalls so GenAI search results can be poor quality. For example, this search on Perplexity.ai gives Wikipedia and a range of tech and marketing companies rather than any academic information:
It is unlikely any of these sources would be good citations in an assignment. Many GenAI tools do not show what they are searching, so it is impossible to judge the quality.
As with any search, you need to evaluate the information you find. Is it relevant to your assignment? Is it accurate? Who wrote it? Why? How old is it? These questions are even more important and can be difficult to answer if you search using an GenAI tool. Library Services’ evaluating sources page will tell you more.
Whether you use GenAI or not, in academic work you need to be transparent. This means showing how you reached your conclusions. Library Services’ literature searching strategy is a good place to start.
You should also keep your essay plans and drafts, and record your search processes. To record your search processes you could try:
If permitted, GenAI might be a good place to start your research as it can give you an initial overview and help explain complex topics. However, your searching and planning should not begin and end with AI. You will need to use the themes and keywords you’ve found in GenAI to look at a range of information. You will need to read books and ebooks to broaden your understanding of your topic. You may need to search more widely on the internet to find documentation to back up your arguments. You will need to find and read journal articles to analyse the research underpinning your subject area. Try:
For more guidance, read Finding sources and What is Library Search?
If you use GenAI tools as part of the process of creating an assessment, it is important that you acknowledge their use. You should include this acknowledgement after your reference list.
Make it clear:
I used Perplexity.ai
I used it to generate a summary of a journal article
I used ChatGPT
I used it to generate keywords and synonyms to improve my literature search
If is unlikely that you would directly quote or paraphrase GenAI. If you do, you will need to reference it. Cite Them Right has examples, with the citation similar to the format for personal correspondence:
ChatGPT (2023) ChatGPT response to Fred Brown, 25 September.
Perplexity.ai (2023) Perplexity response to Jane Jones, 12 October.
Many GenAI tools are free, but an increasing number require payment and quality and availability can be variable. You should not be required to subscribe to an AI tool as part of your course.
riticise/ challenge the information GenAI gives you
cknowledge use of GenAI
ecord your search processes
xpand your research beyond GenAI
The use of GenAI tools is only part of the competency you need to show as a student. Employers want students to be able to use these tools, but not depend on them.