Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The recent emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot) is presenting a wide range of possible benefits, and challenges, in all aspects of education. This includes assessment.
We recognise that AI may be used by students at many different stages in their learning process, including preparing for assessments. Such use may be appropriate in certain circumstances. However, assessments are in place to help ensure that you have met the course and program learning outcomes, not to test what AI tools can do.
Acceptable use will vary between disciplines, courses, and even different assessments within a course. This could range from cases where the use of generative AI tools is an integral part of completing the assessment, right through to assessments where AI should not be used in any way.
- Work submitted for assessment must be your own original work.
- Follow the instructions of your course coordinator, and do not use generative artificial intelligence in any way that contradicts these instructions. If you are unsure, ask.
- From time to time, your course coordinator may want to discuss your construction of an assessment item with you. Please make sure that you retain drafts/versions of your progress prior to submission. See How do I turn on AutoSave? and View previous versions of a file for Microsoft products such as Excel, PowerPoint or Word.
- Acknowledgement is key. If you have used generative artificial intelligence in your assessment, make sure this use is correctly referenced.
- Artificial Intelligence detection software may be used to review any written work you submit.
- Make sure that you are familiar with expectations around academic integrity. Misuse of AI tools may be considered a breach of the University's Student Conduct Rule and could result in disciplinary action.
Acceptable Use
Not permitted
For some assessment tasks, your course coordinator may advise that you are not permitted to use any form of generative artificial intelligence. This includes, but is not limited to, AI writing assistants (such as Grammarly), content generators, or AI-based problem-solving tools.
Any use of artificial intelligence will be considered academic misconduct, and you may be subject to penalties.
Somewhat permitted
In some assessment tasks, your course coordinator may allow you to choose to use generative AI to aid in your assignment preparation. In such cases you should provide a transparent account of its use (through appropriate referencing).
Examples may include using generative AI for preliminary research, brainstorming, drafting and structuring, or editing purposes.
Expected
Some assessment tasks may require that you incorporate generative AI as a key component of your work. Your course coordinator will describe the tools that should (or should not be used) and how they should be used.
In such cases you should provide a transparent account of its use (through appropriate referencing).
Please also make sure that you are familiar with the following information:
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.