Navigating Academic Integrity: Citing and Ethical Considerations in the Age of ChatGPT

Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, there has been a lot of information circulating about both its potential risks and rewards for students in higher education. Students may be unclear about York’s academic integrity expectations for using AI-based tools such as ChatGPT. Additionally, students may fear that ChatGPT could undermine their learning by providing them with easy access to answers and solutions, which could then discourage independent thinking and problem-solving.

To address these concerns, this interactive workshop will clarify the university’s expectations regarding AI tools and demonstrate how they can be effectively incorporated into academic work and research while adhering to academic integrity guidelines. We will discuss some of the ethical considerations associated with using ChatGPT and other AI tools, including issues related to copyright, privacy, and bias. Strategies and tips for using these tools responsibly will be shared including the role of instructor guidance, fact-checking, critically evaluating or verifying AI outputs and citing generative AI tools. The goal of this workshop is to help students understand how AI can complement rather than undermine their learning, focusing on responsible use and alignment with academic standards.

Additionally, for workshops that explore how generative AI tools might be used for research purposes, a two-part workshop series is offered (see the library’s workshops web page for more information and to register). Topics include: an overview of these tools’ key strengths and weaknesses related to their relevance and appropriateness for academic research assignments and projects at university, and a demonstration of different tools.