Artificial Intelligence guidance for students
Artificial Intelligence guidance for students
We recognise the growing capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and that these tools are becoming a common part of everyday life. These are fascinating tools which have the power to change the way we think and work. However, as an academic institution, we need to ensure they are used responsibly. We’ve created this AI guidance for students to help you understand BNU’s position on AI tools and their use.
Understanding different AI tools
To use AI responsibly, you should first understand the different types of tools available. BNU define them in two main categories:
1. Assistive AI Tools: These tools refine your own work without creating new content. Think of traditional spell checkers, basic grammar correctors, or citation managers. Their use is generally acceptable and doesn't typically require acknowledgement.
2. Generative AI Tools: These tools create new content (text, ideas, images, code) in response to a prompt. This category includes everything from ChatGPT to the advanced features in the paid version of Grammarly. Their use is permissible only within the guidelines below and must always be acknowledged in your work in the reference list.
It's important to know that some tools contain both Assistive and Generative features. For example, the paid version of Grammarly may offer to rewrite or generate entire sentences. As outlined already, using a tool to check your spelling or basic grammar is an assistive use. However, using the same tool to rewrite, rephrase, or create new sentences is a generative use. You are responsible for knowing which feature you are using, and any generative use must be acknowledged in your references section.
How to consider the uses of Artificial Intelligence in essay planning and research.
Making the most of Artificial Intelligence in your study planning.
Appropriate use of AI
Generative AI can be used appropriately as a tool to support you in creating your own work. Examples of appropriate use include:
- Brainstorming and refining your initial ideas and research questions.
- Organising your thoughts and creating a structured plan for your assignment.
- Refining your own writing by checking grammar and improving the clarity of your expression. You must ensure this process does not alter the original meaning of your work or introduce ideas that are not your own.
- Summarising complex sources or topics to support your initial understanding, before you engage with and fact-check the original material.
- Generating study questions about a topic to help you revise and test your own knowledge.
All use of Generative AI must be acknowledged in your references section.
Practical Examples: Drawing the Line
The information below provides examples of the boundary between using and acknowledging Generative AI as a helpful tool and misuse of Generative AI that may constitute academic misconduct.
Appropriate Use (Using AI as a tool) – must be acknowledged in references section:
Prompt: "I'm writing a report on the UK's ageing population. What are some key social and economic challenges I could research?" This is acceptable because you are exploring a field to find a focus for your own research and analysis.
Unacceptable Use (AI doing the work for you):
Prompt: "Give me three main arguments for a report on the challenges of the UK's ageing population, with a topic sentence for each." This is unacceptable because you are asking the AI to perform the critical thinking task of creating the core arguments for your report.
Appropriate Use (Using AI as a tool) – must be acknowledged in references section:
Prompt: "Here are my main points for a presentation: [Point A, Point B, Point C]. Can you suggest a logical flow to present them in?" This is acceptable because you have already created your own ideas and are using AI to help with organisation.
Unacceptable Use (AI doing the work for you):
Prompt: "Create a detailed plan for a presentation on the history of nursing in the NHS, including timings and key visuals." This is unacceptable because the AI is generating the entire structure and content of the presentation, which is a key academic skill.
Appropriate Use (Using AI as a tool) – must be acknowledged in references section:
Prompt: "Please review this paragraph I wrote and suggest how I can make it sound more professional." [Paste your own paragraph]. This is acceptable because you are using AI as an advanced grammar and style checker on your own original writing.
Unacceptable Use (AI doing the work for you):
Prompt: "Here are some bullet points: [- point A, - point B]. Please write a full paragraph that combines them." This is unacceptable because you are asking the AI to perform the academic task of synthesising ideas into a coherent paragraph.
Appropriate Use (Using AI as a tool) – must be acknowledged in references section:
Prompt: "Can you summarise the key findings of this complex research article I've pasted? I want to make sure I understand it before I cite it." This is acceptable because you are using AI to aid your comprehension of a source that you will then go on to analyse and cite yourself.
Unacceptable Use (AI doing the work for you):
Action: You ask an AI to summarise a research article and then use that summary in your assignment as if it is your own understanding, without reading the original source. This is unacceptable academic practice (and plagiarism) because you are misrepresenting your engagement with the source material.
Appropriate Use (Using AI as a tool) – must be acknowledged in references section:
Prompt: "I've written this piece of computer code and it has a bug. Can you help me find the error?" This is acceptable because you are using AI to troubleshoot your own work, much like a spell checker.
Unacceptable Use (AI doing the work for you):
Prompt: "Write a piece of code that accomplishes [specific task]." This is unacceptable because the AI is generating the assessed work itself, which must be your own creation.
Core Principles of Authorship and Integrity
Any work you submit for marks must be your own creation. This is the core principle of academic integrity. It means you cannot ask an AI to create paragraphs of text or create other content for you that you are awarded marks and academic credit for, even with edits. This is similar to presenting ideas and work of others, known as plagiarism. The final analysis, arguments, and interpretation of sources must come from you.
All elements of your work that are assessed as part of the module that intends to show you have achieved the learning outcomes of the module (e.g., a piece of art, a musical score, or a piece of code) must be created by you and not be generated by AI.
How to Acknowledge and Reference AI
You must be transparent about how you have used Generative AI. While you don't need to cite AI for basic assistive uses (like spelling checks), you must provide a reference if it helped you via the use of generative AI in your work. Examples of this include brainstorming ideas, summarising a source, reworking your grammar and structure, or assisting your plan. Always follow the specific format required by 'Cite Them Right'.
Example:
In-text citation: When prompted by the author, the generative AI model provided a summary of Keynesian economics (AI model, 2025).
Reference list: Name of AI Provider (2025) Response to [Your Name], Day Month.
Guidance for Your Subject Area
The role and professional use of AI tools vary significantly between different subjects. In some fields, using specific AI tools is becoming a key professional skill, while in others, it is more restricted. Your course team will provide guidance on how AI is used in your specific profession and any subject-specific rules for its use in your assignments. Always check your module handbook and ask your module leader if you are unsure what is permitted.
AI and Academic Misconduct
Using a Generative AI tool to create part or all your assessed work is a form of academic misconduct. Using Generative AI in this way is like plagiarism of someone else’s work, asking someone to create the work for you or using an essay mill. Use of Generative AI must be acknowledged in your reference list and should remain within the guidelines outlined here. All submitted work is subject to academic integrity checks, and any suspected misconduct will be investigated under the university's formal procedures. This can result in serious penalties.
The University may also investigate previously submitted work for academic integrity even after you have graduated. If academic misconduct is found, it could result in your degree being revoked. It is therefore essential that you have confidence in all your submitted work as being your own creation.
Not all countries allow the use of Generative AI software. Make sure you're aware of the law and the potential consequences of violating it, such as disciplinary action or even criminal charges. In 2021, the UK government introduced new laws that make it illegal to commission someone else to write work for you that you then submit as your own in higher education. This includes using essay mills or similar services to obtain work. Always ensure that the work you submit is your own and that you haven't tasked someone, or something, else to write it for you including AI.
Need help or advice?
If you have any questions or concerns about the use of AI, we recommend you speak to your module leader, course leader, personal tutor or Student Learning Achievement (SLA@bnu.ac.uk). Your wellbeing is the most important thing and if you are concerned or feeling stressed, please speak to someone in our Student Hub. For more information please see this guide to explore which team is best placed to answer your query or concern and how to contact them.
