Using AI in assignments: traffic light game

Using AI for...

Explaining keywords to check your understanding

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Answer explanation

Green light. This is an appropriate practice. It's fine to get explanations of keywords from AI to check your understanding. However, don’t forget that AI tools work by predicting text so may generate some inaccurate information.

Using AI for...

Paraphrasing source text

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Answer explanation

• Yellow light. This is an 'at risk' practice because it means you risk not learning about your topic or not understanding the sources you are reading. Generally, it's acceptable to check a few words but not to get AI tools to paraphrase more than that, as there is a risk you will not be the author of your text.

Using AI for...

Checking punctuation

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Answer explanation

• Green light. Checking punctuation by using an AI tool is appropriate practice. There is no risk in getting an AI tool to ensure your punctuation is correct as this is an appropriate form of proofreading.

Note: checking grammar is also an appropriate practice.

Using AI for...

Submitting text generated by AI as your own work

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Answer explanation

• Red light. This is an inappropriate practice. Text generated by AI is not your own work. You need to be the author of the work you submit.

Using AI for...

 Reducing your word count before submission

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Answer explanation

• Yellow light. This is an 'at risk' practice. Using AI tools to reduce your word count could result in significant editing by AI tools which would mean the risk of you losing your voice and control of the text (and also not having full authorship of your work). However, for a small amount of text reduction and editing, it could be acceptable.

Using AI for...

Initial planning of your structure

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Answer explanation

• Green light. This is an appropriate practice. It's fine to get AI tools to help you plan your structure before you start writing. However, be aware of the risk that it may suggest a different structure to the actual task. Make sure you follow assignment instructions.

Using AI for...

Generating (creating from scratch) your reference list

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Answer explanation

• Red light. This is an inappropriate practice. Asking an AI tool to generate your reference list means you are not doing research to find, select and use sources yourself. There is also a risk that the references generated by AI are not real, so it could mean you are presenting falsified research, which is an academic conduct breach. An additional risk is that the sources found by AI are not relevant to your assignment. You can use referencing software to help you with formatting references, but you must not use an AI tool to generate the references for you. Always do your own research!

Using AI for...

Providing a conclusion to your work

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Answer explanation

• Red light. This is an inappropriate practice. You should not use AI tools to provide a conclusion to your work. Your conclusion is an important part of your assignment where you should present your summary of your research and demonstrate your understanding and interpretation of your topic. If you use AI to write the conclusion, you will not be able to demonstrate this. You will also lose full authorship of your work.

Using AI for...

Providing some synonyms

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Answer explanation

• Green light. This is an appropriate practice. It's fine to ask AI tools to provide some synonyms for words; it is something you could also do with a dictionary. However, remember that sometimes AI tools generate inaccurate information.

Using AI for...

Carrying out your research

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Answer explanation

• Red light. This is an inappropriate practice. You must not use AI tools to carry out your own research. You need to do your own research as part of your own learning on the topic. There is also a risk that AI tools may generate inaccurate or biased information.