Artificial Intelligence

All UT Tyler faculty must specify the extent to which students are permitted to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their courses. Please include the provided Artificial Intelligence Syllabus language.

Download AI Syllabus Language

As an instructor, you might use AI to help you with:

• Content Creation: AI can assist instructors in creating course materials, presentations, and even generating discussion topics based on the syllabus, objectives and current events in the field.
• Time Management: AI-powered scheduling tools can assist instructors in managing their teaching schedules, office hours, and meetings, allowing them to allocate more time to teaching and mentoring.
• Data-Driven Insights: AI can provide valuable insights into students' performance trends, enabling you to make informed decisions about curriculum adjustments, teaching strategies and identify areas where students might be struggling.
• Innovative Teaching Tools: AI-driven simulations, virtual laboratories, and interactive content can make complex topics more engaging and accessible to students.
• Automatic Transcription: AI can transcribe lectures and discussions, making it easier for students to review class materials and helping instructors create accessible content.
• Feedback Generation: AI can provide automated feedback on assignments, highlighting areas where students excel and areas that need improvement. Instructors can then focus on providing more in-depth feedback on complex aspects.

For more specific information about allowed and prohibited AI usage at UT Tyler, read our AI Guide.

AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly common in student work, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Here’s how you can help students use AI responsibly while fostering academic integrity.

1. Educate Students About Academic Integrity

• Define Expectations: Clearly explain what constitutes plagiarism, including the use of AI tools without attribution.
• Policy Transparency: Outline how students can use AI appropriately in your course, including guidelines for citation.

 
2. Teach Proper Citation Practices

• AI Citation: Provide examples of how to cite AI tools if students use them, ensuring transparency in their work.
• Encourage Originality: Stress the importance of developing their ideas and voice rather than over-relying on AI.

3. Encourage Responsible AI Usage

• Set Boundaries: Clearly state which parts of assignments can or cannot involve AI tools.
• Promote Analysis Over Copying: Encourage students to use AI for idea generation but require them to critically analyze and synthesize information.

4. Use Plagiarism Detection Tools Proactively

• Educate First: Use tools like Turnitin or Grammarly as teaching aids, allowing students to identify and fix unintentional plagiarism.
• Discuss Results: Provide feedback to help students understand and address issues rather than penalizing them outright.

5. Provide Constructive Feedback

• Focus on Growth: Guide students on how to improve their writing, research, and critical thinking skills.
• Model Integrity: Demonstrate how responsible use of technology enhances learning rather than shortcuts it.

6. Foster Critical Thinking

• Challenge Students: Assign tasks that require them to go beyond surface-level information, using their own insights and analysis.
• Promote Inquiry: Encourage students to question and verify the outputs of AI tools rather than accepting them at face value.

By creating a classroom culture that values critical thinking, originality, and transparency, you can help students navigate the challenges and opportunities AI presents while upholding academic integrity.

As an student, you might use AI to help you with:

• Enhance Your Research
  Use AI tools to summarize articles, find credible sources, and gather information efficiently, but always verify the accuracy and reliability of the results.
• Personalize Your Learning
  Leverage AI to identify your strengths and weaknesses, create customized study plans, and practice at your own pace.
• Generate Study Guides
  Input your class notes or textbook content into AI tools to create summaries, flashcards, or outlines for better retention.
• Improve Writing Skills
  Use AI writing assistants to proofread, check grammar, and suggest improvements for clarity and tone, but ensure your work remains original and authentic.
• Stay Organized
  Utilize AI task managers and calendar tools to prioritize assignments, set reminders, and break projects into manageable steps.
• Seek Homework Help Wisely
  AI can provide explanations and examples for difficult concepts, but avoid using it to complete assignments for you. It’s a tool for learning, not a shortcut.
• Practice Ethical Use
  Follow your institution’s guidelines for AI use, and always cite AI-generated content where appropriate to maintain academic integrity.
• Prepare for Exams
  Use AI-powered practice tests and quizzes to assess your knowledge and identify areas where you need more focus.
• Learn New Skills
  Explore AI platforms for learning coding, languages, or other subjects with interactive lessons and real-time feedback.
• Stay Critical
  While AI is a powerful tool, it’s not infallible. Critically evaluate its outputs and use your own judgment to ensure quality and relevance.

For more specific information about allowed and prohibited AI usage at UT Tyler, read our AI Guide.

As AI tools like ChatGPT become more popular, they can be valuable resources for learning and creativity. However, using them responsibly is crucial to maintaining academic integrity and growing as a student.

1. Understand What Academic Integrity Means

• Your Responsibility: Academic integrity means submitting original work that reflects your understanding and effort.
• AI’s Role: AI can assist with brainstorming or refining ideas but should not replace your critical thinking or writing.

2. Learn How to Properly Cite Sources

• Credit All Sources: Always cite any ideas, text, or content from others, including AI-generated content if allowed by your institution.
• Transparency Matters: Let your professors know when and how you’ve used AI. It builds trust and avoids misunderstandings.

 
3. Use AI Tools Responsibly

• Collaborator, Not Author: Use AI to help brainstorm or organize thoughts, but always write in your own words.
• Double-Check: AI can generate errors. Always verify facts and ideas it provides to ensure they’re accurate and relevant.

 
4. Develop Critical Thinking Skills

• Analyze and Synthesize: Don’t just collect information, analyze it and connect it to your own insights.
• Challenge Yourself: Push beyond what AI offers. Your unique perspective is the most valuable part of your work.

 
5. Learn From Feedback

• Growth Mindset: Take constructive feedback from instructors seriously, it helps improve your writing and research skills.
• Iterate: Academic success is about learning and growing, not perfection on the first try.