Before using a generative AI tool as part of your learning at McMaster University, please review the Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Teaching and Learning and be sure you have approval from your course instructor to be using generative AI for your learning. Even if your instructor has approved the use of generative AI in your course, you will want to consider:
- What value might generative AI bring to this task? What benefit to my learning is it offering?
- What are some of the risks or negative impacts of using generative AI for this task?
- What impact might using generative AI have on my learning?
- If I couldn’t use generative AI for this task would I know how to do it on my own?
- How should I document and disclose when I have used generative AI? What level of use (e.g. brainstorming, drafting, copy editing, coding) warrants disclosure of use?
- If I am using generative AI for group work, how do I ensure everyone involved in the work I am doing understands how we will use (or not use) generative AI?
Frequently Asked Questions
Use of generative artificial intelligence by students in ways not described in the course outline may be cause for a violation of the academic integrity policy. Likewise, the submission for course credit of uncited or unacknowledged work not created by the student(s) who submitted it violates academic integrity (See McMaster Policy on Academic Integrity). Be sure you are allowed to use generative AI in your course before you use it.
Do not upload or share confidential, personal, personal health or proprietary information with a generative AI tool unless a data security and risk assessment and a privacy and algorithmic assessment have been completed for the specific tool. You should review the privacy policy and user agreement of generative AI tools and consult with the Privacy Office, Information Security, or the Office of Legal Services to address any questions or concerns about privacy policies or terms and conditions found in user agreements. Subscribing to notification processes for tool updates can be a helpful way to stay informed about significant changes to user agreements. Learn more by completing your privacy training and information security training.
Citation and disclosure practices will vary by context. Check with your course instructor for what is expected in your course. You can also refer to McMaster Library’s Generative AI citation guide for ideas.
You can contact macgenai@mcmaster.ca with any questions about the use of generative AI at McMaster.