Artificial Intelligence
Pedagogy & Guidance

AI Guidance for Students

A guide to academic integrity and smart AI use for students during their university journey. 

AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Grammarly, and others can be powerful aids in your academic journey — but using them responsibly is essential. Drexel's Policy on Student Rights and Responsibilities for Use of AI (Section IV-C of the Drexel policy PO 103: Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence) outlines how students should approach AI use in their coursework.

Dragons' Guide to GAI

A three-step guide from Drexel’s Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) to help students make informed choices about using Generative AI in coursework in a way that prioritizes their learning, aligns with their values, and considers the well-being of our local and global community:

1. Understand GAI: Learn what Generative AI is and why it matters.
2. Think Critically: Decide if and how GAI supports your learning.
3. Take Responsibility: Follow Drexel’s policies and consider the broader impact.
Read tLC's student guide

What students need to know about AI: 

Follow Your Instructor’s Guidance

  • Every course may have different rules about AI use.
  • Always read or listen carefully to what your instructor says.
  • If you're unsure, ask before using AI tools.

Cite It Right

  • If your instructor allows AI, you may need to cite how and where you used it.
  • Follow their instructions.
  • If no citation style is given, use the one common in your field.
  • See Appendix B (Section VI-B of the Drexel policy PO 103: Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence) for help with citation formats.

You Are Still Responsible

  • AI can help, but you are accountable for what you submit.
  • AI might give false or biased info — always double-check.
  • Avoid submitting anything inappropriate or offensive. Violations may be reported to Student Conduct & Care.
  • Any misuse of AI tools may result in loss of access to AI services or other actions under University IT and acceptable‑use policies.

Before using AI tools, think about what you’re sharing. Do NOT enter private or restricted information, such as your student ID number, grades or instructor feedback, detailed education records, health or medical information, personal contact details, or confidential University or third‑party information. If you wouldn’t post it publicly or share it widely, don’t put it into an AI tool.

Smart AI Tips

Make AI Work for You

  • Use AI to support — not replace — your learning.
  • Check facts and sources.
  • Keep your unique voice and ideas.

  • Drexel‑provided AI tools are reviewed for privacy and security. Public AI tools may have different data practices, so review their terms carefully.

Remember:

AI Has Limits

  • AI can sound confident and still be wrong.
  • AI may oversimplify or misrepresent complex material.
  • You won’t always have access to AI tools—learning the material matters.
  • When in doubt, check outputs alongside other verified sources or ask a human!

A Do's and Don'ts List for Using AI as a Student

Use AI thoughtfully to support your learning—without replacing your thinking, responsibility, or academic integrity.

 

DO: Use AI to Support Your Learning

Use AI tools to help polish your writing and improve readability. Review suggestions carefully and make the final edits yourself.
AI can be especially helpful in the early stages of an assignment—generating ideas, outlining arguments, or organizing notes.
AI tools can assist with time management, task planning, note‑taking, and organization. Accessibility tools like text‑to‑speech may also support your learning.
Always check AI‑generated content for accuracy, bias, and relevance. Decide what to keep, revise, or discard.
AI policies vary by course. Always follow your instructor’s guidance and disclose AI use if required.

DON’T: Use AI to Replace Your Thinking or Responsibility

AI can’t think, reason, or make judgments for you. Your ideas, arguments, and conclusions must come from your own understanding.
Assignments requiring original analysis, reflection, or evaluation must reflect your own thinking—even if AI helped earlier.
In most cases, AI should not be used to produce final versions of assignments beyond proofreading.
AI tools often generate incorrect citations or misrepresent sources. Use trusted academic tools and check your references.
If your instructor requires disclosure, you must disclose AI use—even if the content has been heavily revised.