AI tools continue to reshape the higher education landscape. To promote academic integrity in their use, consider strategies that emphasize transparency, clarity, and open communication about how students engage with AI in your courses. 

Establishing AI Policies 

Students are navigating multiple sets of AI expectations across their courses. This juggling act can lead to unintentional violations—often not from malicious intent, but through a misunderstanding of expectations in a course. Clear, course-specific AI policies help students understand expectations and focus their attention on learning. You might:  

• Develop an AI Syllabus Statement (see AI Course Policy Examples and GenAI Syllabus Statement Tool), sharing the benefits and limitations of AI in your course and context. 

• Create assignment-specific guidelines with concrete examples of appropriate vs. inappropriate AI use (see Enhancing Assignments with AI Transparency).  

This layered approach supports varied learning objectives—for example, prohibiting AI during assessments while encouraging it for collaborative brainstorming.  

Communicating Your “Why” in Class 

• In class, communicate your course AI policy early in the semester and throughout the semester, especially as assignment deadlines loom.  

• Students value knowing the ‘why’ behind your decisions; clarify how your policy supports the course learning goals.  

• Encourage questions (see Having the AI Conversation). 

Clarifying AI Expectations in Course Assignments  

• Communicate the purpose and learning objectives of each assignment. Through your AI Statement, help students appreciate what they would miss by not completing the work as assigned. Outline assignment steps and evaluation criteria. (See Transparent Assignment Design Template)  

• If AI use is permitted, explain how students should document and cite their AI use (See Documenting and Citing AI). Specify which AI tools can be used (See GenAI Tools at UVA). UVA-licensed tools provide additional security, accessibility, and privacy protections and are highly recommended. 

• Discuss and demonstrate AI tools’ strengths and limitations. Students need to understand that AI output may include misleading, biased, or false content, including fabricated sources. Consider addressing ethical implications, privacy and data security, and intellectual property concerns. (See Ethical Considerations in AI) 

Fostering Integrity 

AI tools continue to challenge and reshape expectations in higher education, especially around academic integrity. While these shifts can be complex, research consistently underscores the importance of communication, transparency, and clarity. The practices suggested here help to build trust and guide ethical student engagement.  

Resources 

For support in course design, assignment design, and AI exploration, contact 

• A&S Learning Design & Technology  

• Center for Teaching Excellence  

• UVA AI Guides Program  

Honor at UVA is a resource for academic integrity violation concerns.