STEP THREE: Take full responsibility

You are the author

While GAI-assisted work is becoming increasingly common in academic and professional settings, GAI tools are not co-authors or collaborators. This means that all responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the work submitted ultimately falls on you, the human author. You are responsible for designing effective prompts; for fact-checking, revising, and editing AI outputs; for identifying and rectifying biases; and for documenting the use of GAI when required. If you choose to use GAI tools in your academic work, make sure to:

• Invest in your own AI literacy: The ability to assess GAI-generated material is becoming more and more important, so building critical AI literacy should be a key part of your professional preparation.
• Understand what outputs you’re looking for: Advanced prompting can go a long way towards improving the quality of GAI outputs, but first you need to understand what makes for a quality output in your field. Future experts need to focus on gaining the foundational knowledge and skills needed to engage with GAI and avoid over-reliance on GAI support.
• Factcheck and troubleshoot: Judging the quality of GAI outputs can be challenging because their flaws are often invisible to non-experts (e.g., code might look functional but contains bugs and security vulnerabilities; essays might be grammatically correct but lack insight and interest). If you don’t know how to judge the quality of GAI outputs used in your academic or professional assignments, make sure to consult vetted expert sources (including your professors). 

Ask Yourself:

• Am I taking full ownership of the work I’m submitting?
• Am I able to ensure my work is informed, fair, and accurate?
• Am I developing the skills I need to assess AI-generated work?

Know the rules

Drexel instructors are empowered to set their own GAI policies for every course. This makes sense because, as you saw in the previous sections, the usefulness of GAI tools will depend on the goals of each course, and even each individual assignment. To make sure you are in compliance, make sure to:

• Check the syllabus/ask your instructor: If you are not sure about allowed/disallowed uses of GAI on a specific task, consult the syllabus or ask your instructor for clarification. You will need to get into the habit of paying attention to GAI policies and seeking clarification if needed, especially that the rules may differ significantly between courses.
• Understand the “why”: Make sure you also understand why your instructor is allowing/disallowing GAI use on particular assignments and how using GAI tools might help you develop important skills and expertise in your field–or prevent you from developing them.
• Know the consequences: 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 expectations for how students should approach GAI use in their coursework. Using GAI in violation of course rules will count as academic misconduct. 
• Document GAI use when required: Being transparent about GAI use (for example by adding citations, outputs, or reflections) helps your instructor better understand your process and help you grow. For help with citation formats, see Drexel Library’s AI citation resources as well as Section VI-B of the Drexel policy PO 103: Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I understand the GAI guidelines for this course and/or assignment, including the how and the why?
• Have I documented my use of GAI clearly when required?
• Am I being honest about the role GAI played in my work?

Think (and talk) about it

Using GAI shapes the way we approach tasks, solve problems, and express ideas. Algorithms are changing the way we work, think, and feel. We are gaining new skills but also losing skills we had before. People are experiencing many contradictory feelings about these changes, from excitement and hope to guilt and fear. Wherever you stand, invest some time in reflection and conversation about the changes happening all around you:

• Reflect: You might be asked to reflect on GAI use in your classes, but even if you’re not required to do so, it’s a good idea to think about how GAI is affecting your academic and social habits. Reflecting on how GAI tools supported (or didn’t support) your goals can help you make better decisions about using (or not using) them for future projects. Making time for ethical reflection can also help you clarify how your engagements with this new technology align with your core values.
• Stay informed and use your judgement: New GAI upgrades are appearing all the time; companies are targeting students with aggressive marketing campaigns for products that promise shortcuts to academic success. You will need to use your judgement to determine whether, when, and how to use GAI tools in your educational and professional journey.
• Talk about it: GAI is a relatively new technology, and even experts (including your instructors) are still figuring out its benefits, harms, and applications. This is a great opportunity for you to participate in a real-time conversation about the future of your field, the university, and society in general. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Ask Yourself:

• How is GAI shaping my academic habits?
• How is GAI shaping the way I think, feel, and interact with others?
• Am I thinking about what it means to be an informed and ethical user of GAI in my field?