Roskilde University has formulated a set of guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence in written submissions for exams. The purpose of these guidelines is to make it clear for students and instructors how students are allowed to use generative AI as a assistment tool in written submissions for exams. Read the new guidelines here.
Generative AI is undoubtedly an effective tool, even in the academic world. However, concerning fundamental academic principles such as transparency and reproducibility, there is a risk that it may hinder good academic practices. You should use generative AI thoughtfully, critically, and reflectively. Consider these pitfalls:
Incorrect information: A chatbot like ChatGPT is a language model that provides likely answers to prompts and questions, but they are not always accurate or outdated. It is also unclear where ChatGPT obtains its information.
Incomplete references: It is widely known that ChatGPT does not always generate correct references but rather probable or incomplete ones. This means that even if you request references from ChatGPT, it is always your responsibility to verify that the references are accurate and that the mentioned texts exist.
Bias in data and algorithms: Because the construction of language models is not precisely understood, it can be challenging to account for potential biases.
Data security: The free version of ChatGPT (3,5 version), for example, does not comply with GDPR rules, so you should not share sensitive data with ChatGPT.
Copyright: There is significant uncertainty regarding who holds the rights to material generated with AI and the legality of training generative AIs on copyrighted material. This means, among other things, that you should be cautious about copy-pasting text with copyrights into the chat. You can read more about this in: Custers, & Fosch-Villaronga, E. (2022). Generative AI and Intellectual Property Rights. In Law and Artificial Intelligence (Vol. 35). T.M.C. Asser Press. Link.
If you are allowed to use generative AI in a written submission, remember two important things: 1) to cite correctly, and 2) to declare how you have utilized generative AI.
You must clearly specify how you have used generative AI in your work, for example, as part of the methodology section or as a brief explanation at the end of your report. It is important that you can address your choice of helping tools such as ChatGPT, as it is part of the entire process of creating the assignment. Read our guidelines and suggestions for declaration of use.
The use of specific text created by generative AI requires citation, as with the use of any other sources from which one or more direct quotes are employed. Read more about citation of generative AI.
While AI offers numerous advantages, it's crucial to recognize that it comes with environmental costs. These include high energy consumption, the generation and storage of 'dark data' (unused data), increased CO2 emissions during peak periods, and the growing demand for electricity. To address these challenges, efforts can be made to reduce unnecessary usage of AI tools and to be mindful of their environmental impact.
Sources: børsen.dk and science.ku.dk