AI Policy for CMSE 802#
Table of Contents#
Introduction#
As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines for its use in this course. AI tools, such as large language models and specialized engineering software, have become increasingly accessible and powerful. While these tools offer significant potential to enhance your learning experience, they also present challenges that need to be carefully considered.
The purpose of this AI policy is to provide you with a framework for understanding both the benefits and potential drawbacks of using AI in your coursework. Our goal is to help you leverage AI as a tool for learning and innovation while ensuring that you develop the fundamental skills and knowledge essential for your future career.
It’s important to note that this policy applies specifically to this class and should be considered in conjunction with Michigan State University’s broader guidance on generative AI use. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with MSU’s policy, which can be found here. The university’s policy provides valuable insights into the ethical use of AI across all academic disciplines and may cover additional aspects not addressed in this class-specific policy. Both policies should guide your use of AI tools throughout your academic journey at MSU.
This document outlines:
The potential drawbacks of over-relying on AI in your learning process
The benefits that AI can bring to your educational experience when used appropriately
Specific guidelines for how AI tools may be used in this course
As you read through this policy, remember that the primary objective of this course is to help you develop your skills, critical thinking abilities, and deep understanding of the subject matter. AI should be viewed as a tool to augment your learning, not replace it.
We encourage you to approach the use of AI in this course thoughtfully and ethically. If you have any questions about how to appropriately use AI tools for a specific assignment or project, please don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
Drawbacks of AI Use in Learning#
Undermining Core Learning Objectives and Essential Skill Development#
This course is designed to cultivate fundamental competencies that require hands-on practice and deep engagement to master. The use of AI tools to complete assignments or projects can significantly impair your learning process.
Relying on AI for problem-solving deprives you of critical thought processes integral to learning. While AI might provide quick answers, it cannot replace the valuable experience of working through challenges, making mistakes, and developing a deep understanding of underlying principles. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing the analytical skills and systematic problem-solving approaches essential in your future career, regardless of your chosen field.
Overuse of AI tools can lead to superficial understanding and underdeveloped critical skills. Instead of engaging deeply with the material, you may find yourself unable to apply knowledge to novel situations or explain the reasoning behind solutions. Skills such as logical thinking, creative problem-solving, and the ability to break down complex problems – all crucial for your long-term success in any profession – may not develop fully.
As future professionals, you need to cultivate the ability to understand, create, and innovate independently. Over-reliance on AI could hamper your capacity for original thought and problem-solving, which are highly valued in all professional settings.
Consider: If AI performs core tasks for you, what substantive skills will you gain from this class? How will this impact your long-term professional development? Remember, the goal is not just to complete assignments, but to build a strong foundation for your future career.
Academic Integrity Concerns#
The use of AI in academic settings raises significant ethical and integrity issues that you need to be aware of:
Ethical Data Use and Attribution: AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are built on vast datasets that often include information collected without explicit permission from the original creators. When you use these tools, you are inadvertently benefiting from and perpetuating potentially unethical data practices. Moreover, AI models don’t provide proper citations, making it challenging for you to trace the origins of the information or verify its accuracy. This lack of attribution conflicts with fundamental principles of academic rigor and integrity.
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty: Using AI-generated content without proper disclosure is a form of plagiarism, as you would be presenting ideas and text created by AI as your own work. This extends beyond just written content to code, calculations, and other forms of academic output. Your use of AI without appropriate disclosure, or in ways not permitted by course policies, compromises the learning environment and the fairness of assessments for you and your peers.
These concerns highlight the need for you to carefully consider and clearly communicate your use of AI tools in your academic work. As you navigate the use of AI in your studies, always prioritize ethical practices, honest attribution, and genuine learning. Remember, the ultimate aim is for you to develop the skills and knowledge that will serve as the foundation for your engineering career.
Benefits of AI Use in Learning#
When used appropriately and ethically, AI tools can offer several advantages to your learning process:
Enhanced Problem-Solving and Iteration#
AI can serve as a powerful tool to augment your problem-solving capabilities, allowing you to tackle more complex challenges. It can accelerate your design and prototyping process, enabling rapid iteration and exploration of multiple solutions. This can lead to a broader understanding of the problem space and more innovative approaches to challenges in your field of study.
Professional Skill Development#
Proficiency in AI tools is increasingly valuable across many industries. Learning to use these tools effectively prepares you for your future career by mimicking real-world professional environments. AI can also increase your productivity by automating routine tasks, allowing you to focus more on higher-order thinking, creative problem-solving, and the application of key principles in your field. This shift in focus can lead to a deeper engagement with core concepts and practices.
Personalized Learning#
AI-powered educational tools can provide you with tailored feedback and adaptive learning experiences. These tools can help you identify your individual strengths and weaknesses, offering customized practice problems, explanations, and learning paths. This personalized approach can enhance your understanding of complex engineering concepts and improve your learning outcomes by addressing your specific needs.
When leveraging these benefits, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between AI assistance and your independent skill development. The goal is to use AI as a tool to enhance your learning and productivity, not as a replacement for developing fundamental engineering skills and knowledge.
Guidelines for AI Use in This Course#
Like everything in life, you need to find a balance between the positive and negative aspects of AI use in your academic work. AI tools are allowed in this class, and when used appropriately, they can enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your future career. However, it’s crucial to understand and follow these guidelines:
Work produced solely and entirely by AI will be considered insufficient and receive a non-passing grade.
Your assignments and projects should demonstrate a blend of AI assistance and your own critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of the course material.
The goal is for your work to be a product of collaboration between you and AI tools, with your own personal input, analysis, and insights clearly evident.
When using AI tools, you must provide proper attribution. This includes clearly indicating which parts of your work were assisted by AI and providing a citation for each AI tool used. A proper citation should include:
The name of the AI tool
The version of the tool used
The date you used the tool For example: “This section was generated with assistance from ChatGPT (version 3.5), accessed on [Date].”
Always consider any output from AI tools as potentially inaccurate. You are responsible for thoroughly checking, verifying, and validating the correctness of any AI-generated content you use in your work.
When using AI tools for coding assignments, you must:
Understand and be able to explain every line of code, even if AI-assisted
Comment your code to indicate which parts were AI-generated
Be prepared to modify or extend the AI-generated code independently
For data analysis and visualization tasks:
Use AI as a starting point, but customize and interpret results yourself
Ensure that you can explain the methodology and reasoning behind any AI-suggested analysis
In group projects:
Clearly communicate with your team members about AI use
Ensure that AI assistance doesn’t replace collaborative learning and problem-solving within the group
For written assignments:
Use AI for brainstorming or to overcome writer’s block, but ensure the final product reflects your own voice and understanding
Be prepared to elaborate on or defend any AI-assisted content in discussions or presentations
Regularly reflect on your use of AI tools:
Consider how they’re impacting your learning and skill development
Be mindful of potential over-reliance and adjust your usage accordingly
If you’re unsure about the appropriate use of AI for a specific task, consult with your instructor before proceeding.
Remember, the goal is to use AI as a tool to enhance your learning experience while developing crucial skills and knowledge relevant to your field of study. By following these guidelines, you can harness the benefits of AI while maintaining academic integrity and ensuring your educational growth.
This AI policy document was prepared with the assistance of Claude 3.5 Sonnet on August 21, 2024.