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Artificial Intelligence

Overview

Artificial intelligence (AI) is “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior” (Merriam-Webster opens in a new window). AI advancements have transformed our lives, including how we teach and learn. Consider some examples of AI-assisted technology in education today, including calculators, automated grading tools, text editors, transcription programs, and assistive technology. You may even remember the first iterations of some of these technologies and the conversations about the benefits and challenges that followed.

AI Software

CSUF has put together a list of AI-oriented software products that have been vetted by the university, and are either free, available for individual purchase, or paid for by the university for your use in your research and classrooms.

AI Software Listing

Generative AI

One type of AI is Generative AI, which can create new content from data rather than merely analyze existing data. Generative AI often uses Large Language Models (LLMs) opens in a new window, which are trained on huge amounts of text, code, and other data. Many of these applications function as AI-powered chatbots—in other words, users submit a prompt, and content is generated in real-time in response to that prompt.

Overview, Generative AI, and the ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Systems information adapted from Ohio State University, Teaching & Learning Resource Center opens in a new window.

ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Systems

One of the more widely known and discussed generative AI systems is ChatGPT. Developed by tech company OpenAI, it uses predictive technology to create various kinds of written products, such as essays, code, poems, and letters. It can also chat with images and voice, and create images from text descriptions. ChatGPT is trained on large amounts of data and uses reinforcement learning to improve over time.

ChatGPT is not the only generative AI system. There are many others, and new ones are constantly being developed. Educators may be primarily focused on AI’s ability to generate text. Still, it is worth noting that ChatGPT and many other AI applications can also create code, images, music, and other media.

Some additional examples of generative AI applications include:

Faculty and students should access Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot using their CSUF login credentials. You may want to use the Gemini screensteps opens in a new window or Copilot screensteps opens in a new window to guide you.

Transparency in Syllabi for Student Learning and AI Use

These are considerations you might want to address in crafting your AI policy:

  • Under what circumstances AI use is permitted or forbidden
  • How students should cite or credit AI
  • A notice about using AI ethically and responsibly (consider providing a warning about the technology’s tendency toward hallucination opens in a new window, i.e., creation of false information)
  • Discussion of the need to use AI as a tool to learn, not just to produce content
  • A description of how you will authenticate student work where relevant, as required by UPS 300.004 PDF file type.

Explore Example Syllabi Language

Below are examples of syllabi language, ranging from general to more specific. Feel free to modify any of these or create your own to suit your course's needs.

Adapted by Dr. Shelli Wynants from Source: Oregon State AI Icon Project opens in a new window

No Generative AI Use Policy

orange circle with x in it

For this course, students must be the author of all work. The use of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is not permitted. Use of these tools will be considered a violation of the CSUF Academic Dishonesty Policies opens in a new window and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Guidance for Faculty on AI Use in Assignments

As educators, it's essential to be aware that many tools students use daily incorporate AI features, which can sometimes be overlooked. Common examples include:

  • Grammarly: An AI-powered writing assistant that helps with grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions.
  • Canva: A graphic design platform that uses AI for design suggestions and automation.
  • Microsoft Word and PowerPoint: These applications utilize AI for spell-checking, grammar corrections, and design assistance.

When creating assignments, consider specifying whether the use of such AI tools is allowed or prohibited. This clarity helps ensure that students understand what tools are acceptable for each task.

Example Directions for Assignments:
 
  • Allowed Use: "For this assignment, you may use AI tools like Grammarly for grammar checks or Canva for design elements."
  • Prohibited Use: "Please do not use AI tools like ChatGPT for generating text or Microsoft Copilot for drafting content."

Minor Use of Generative AI

orange circle one quarter filled

For this course, students must be the author of all work. You may use AI in some minor ways. For example, unless otherwise specified in the assignment, you may use AI to [faculty insert examples of what is acceptable. For example: generate ideas, polish or edit text you have drafted, create an outline of an essay, modify or design presentation slides, review content, quiz yourself, or for other studying purposes]. You may NOT use AI to [faculty insert examples of what is not allowed. For example: for any purpose while taking a quiz or test, generate content that is directly used in an assignment (such as code, text, images, or other media), solve problems from assignments, write a first draft of a paper or essay, write all or part of a discussion post, or analyze data.] Always review individual assignments for specific instructions. [faculty insert optional statement: If you are using language generated by an AI app, you must properly attribute that use by putting that language in quotation marks and adding a citation just like you would when you copy language from human authors.]

Use of Generative AI by Assignment

orange circle with half filled in

In this course, students are permitted to integrate AI into some of the substantive work of the course. Review individual assignments to determine permissible uses. Unless otherwise noted, you should be able to demonstrate how you contributed to an assignment. [Faculty add specific requirements for AI use. For example: you are required to keep drafts of assignments and generative AI logs that demonstrate how you used AI and what portion of an assignment’s content was generated by AI].

CSUF's Using AI Technology Guidelines

CSUF is committed to supporting teaching, learning, research, and service. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) has the power to facilitate and disrupt each of these areas. The use of GAI tools requires a reflective approach, including consideration of biases and inaccuracies in AI output, as well as ethical use of these technologies. The University community should investigate where and when generative AI might be appropriate for achieving their objectives and should be transparent about its use. Guidelines have been developed for the campus community.

ETHICAL Principles AI Framework for Higher Education

The ETHICAL Principles AI Framework for Higher Education opens in a new window PDF file type is designed to provide a flexible and adaptable foundation for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across diverse academic contexts. This framework recognizes the rapidly evolving nature of AI technologies and the varying needs of different departments, colleges, and institutions.

Our goal is to offer a set of guiding principles that can be readily interpreted and applied to individual circumstances, ensuring relevance and utility as AI continues to advance. The framework intentionally avoids rigid definitions, allowing users to contextualize and adapt these principles to their unique environments, academic settings, and as technologies change.

AI Continuum

The AI continuum presented below may also assist you in thinking about crafting your AI policy. You can also utlized this AI Continuum Infographic opens in a new window.

Note: If you allow AI use in your course, remind students about the rules for AI use on every assignment. The rules may vary depending on the assignment, so ensure students know what is allowed and what is not.

Adapted by Dr. Shelli Wynants from Source: Perkins, Furze, Roe, and Mac Vaugh, 2023 PDF file type


NO 
AI

AI must not be used at any point during the assessment.

The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance. This level expects students to rely solely on their knowledge, understanding, and skills.

AI-ASSISTED IDEA GENERATION AND STRUCTURING

No AI content is allowed in the final submission.

AI can be used in the assessment for brainstorming, creating structures, and generating ideas for improving work.


AI-ASSISTED 
EDITING

AI can be used for editing writing only

(You may want to require original work with no AI content to be provided in an appendix or have students acknowledge the AI tool used, such as Grammarly).

AI can be used to improve the clarity or quality of student-created work to improve the final output, but no new content can be created using AI.

AI TASK COMPLETION,
HUMAN
EVALUATION

AI will be used to complete specified tasks in assessment. 
Any AI-created content must be cited.

AI is used to complete certain task elements, with students discussing or commenting on the AI-generated content. This level requires critical engagement with AI-generated content and the evaluation of its output.


FULL
AI

AI may be used throughout the assessment to support the student’s own work.

(You may or may not require citation of AI-generated content)

AI should be used as a “co-pilot” or “assistant” to meet the assessment requirements, allowing for a collaborative approach with AI and enhancing creativity.

Explore With Us

To explore ways to modify your classes for the presence of AI, try the WAC LIAISONS program's asynchronous workshops.

CSUF AI Initiative Repository

Additional AI Resources