Artificial Intelligence

UNC Charlotte is committed to the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence to enhance academic and administrative endeavors. Our vision is to create an institutional environment where faculty, staff and students can engage with AI technologies to enhance teaching, learning, research and operations, while upholding the highest standards of responsibility and integrity.

To support academic integrity and meaningful learning, faculty should clearly communicate what kind of AI use is permitted in their courses or in particular academic exercises or assessments. Transparent guidance helps students:

Understand expectations and avoid unintentional misconduct.
Focus on learning outcomes and understand when and how AI can be a tool versus when independent work is essential to learning objectives.
Develop professional judgment about responsible and ethical AI use.
Protect privacy and data by using tools safely and in compliance with institutional policies.

As a best practice, faculty members should notify students, in writing, about how and when AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, etc.) may be used in their assignments, exams, and other course work.

Setting Expectations

Thoughtful integration of AI tools can enhance learning, but it also requires transparency and guidance to ensure students understand what is appropriate in your course and what is not. When considering AI use in your course, avoid banning a specific tool outright. Instead, focus on the behaviors and practices that may be problematic for learning and academic integrity. This approach helps students understand why certain uses are inappropriate and helps you remain adaptable as new technologies emerge.

Why Not Ban a Tool?

New AI tools emerge constantly. Banning one tool today may not address future tools.
Students benefit from learning how to use AI ethically and critically, rather than avoiding it entirely.
Focusing on behaviors ensures your expectations remain relevant and adaptable.

Tool‑only bans may feel clear, but they often create confusion, loopholes, and extra enforcement work. Policies that focus on student responsibility for thinking and writing communicate expectations more clearly and hold up better over time.

Tool-Based Prohibition (Less Effective Example)	Why isn’t this as effective?	Behavior-Based Language (More Effective Example )	Why Behavior-Based Language more effective?
You are not allowed to use *Grammarly* for writing assignments.	There are multiple tools that have similar functions as Grammarly. If you only prohibit a specific tool, you may create unintentional loopholes. Does this apply to spellcheck/grammar check? What about browser extensions? What about using it “just to check”? What about other AI tools?	This course prioritizes the development of your personal writing and editing abilities. Mastering grammar, sentence structure, and tone on your own is a key to becoming a confident and independent writer. To help you develop strong writing and editing skills, the use of AI tools (such as Grammarly, ChatGPT, etc) is prohibited, unless you obtain written permission prior to use.	Focuses on the skill being developed rather than policing a tool. Clarifies the learning outcome (editing and revision).
Do not use *ChatGPT* to help you answer reading questions.	This tells students what not to do, but not why. As a result, it can feel arbitrary or overly restrictive.	Comprehension, analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and evaluation are powerful skills that will serve you well beyond this course. To help you build these abilities, AI tools (such as CoPilot and ChatGPT) are prohibited for summarizing, interpreting, or explaining readings. Your independent effort in these tasks strengthens your ability to think critically and engage meaningfully with the material. Any exceptions for AI tool use requires prior written approval.	Emphasizes the cognitive process students are expected to practice—comprehension, analysis, and interpretation.
AI tools like *QuillBot* are banned from use in this class.	Targets specific tools, not the underlying problem. Invites loopholes and encourages transactional thinking like “Is this allowed or not?” Establishes a fear-based rule versus establishing why the restriction matters.	You are expected to develop your own ideas and express them in your own words. Using external services or technologies to rewrite, paraphrase, or generate your work shifts essential thinking and writing tasks away from you and *bypasses the skill development expected in writing and communication.* Tools like Grammarly, Quillbot, ChatGPT and other AI tools are prohibited, unless you obtain written permission prior to use.	Avoids naming tools, instead targeting the problematic behavior—outsourcing cognitive effort—and explains the academic impact.
Students may not use *Gemini* or other AI platforms to generate discussion posts.	Enforcement depends on proving tool use. Prohibition without context can create tool-spotting and boundary testing: “What if I only use it for an outline?” “What counts as “generate”?”	Your discussion posts should reflect your own thinking and engagement with course material. *Using AI to generate or draft posts undermines the learning community and your development as a thinker.* Tools like Gemini, ChatGPT and other AI tools are prohibited, unless you obtain written permission prior to use.	Reframes the issue as a matter of academic integrity and community contribution, not tool restriction.
Use of *AI tools* is not allowed unless given permission.	Permission becomes the focus instead of the learning objectives of the course.	In this course, certain tasks are designed for you to complete without outside assistance (including AI) *so you can develop core skills*. When AI use is allowed, it will be clearly indicated.	Provides clarity and flexibility, while reinforcing intentionality behind restrictions and expectations.

Transparency in AI Use

As AI tools become more common in education and the workplace, clarity about their permitted use is essential. We encourage you to explain the “why” behind prohibition or use of a tool, and connect your expectations to your learning outcomes. As you consider your approach, UNC Charlotte offers suggested syllabus language and training opportunities for faculty to learn about AI tools.

Trust grows when educators demonstrate transparency about how they use AI tools and how these tools influence teaching and learning. Just as we expect students to be transparent in their use, educators should be open about how AI is involved in grading, evaluating, or shaping their courses.

Sample Faculty Disclosure Statements

Course Development

“In preparing course materials and assignments, I have used AI tools (such as [tool name]) to assist with tasks like generating ideas, checking grammar, and organizing content. These tools were used to support efficiency, not to replace my judgment or expertise. All content has been reviewed and adapted to ensure it aligns with the learning objectives of this course. I disclose this so you understand that AI can be a helpful resource when used responsibly and critically. In this class, we will also discuss appropriate ways for you to use AI tools in your own work.”
“I used AI tools (such as [tool name]) to help generate ideas, check grammar, and organize course materials. All content was reviewed and adapted to align with learning objectives. I share this to model responsible AI use, which we will also discuss in class.”

Grading or Evaluation:

“To support timely and consistent feedback, I use AI-assisted tools (such as [tool name]) during the grading process. These tools help identify patterns, check for clarity, and suggest areas for improvement. However, all grades and feedback are reviewed and finalized by me to ensure accuracy and alignment with course standards. I disclose this to maintain transparency and to emphasize that human judgment remains central to your evaluation.”
“I use AI-assisted tools to help provide timely and consistent feedback. All grades and comments are reviewed and finalized by me to ensure accuracy and alignment with course standards.”

Assignments/Exams

“This assignment was created with assistance from AI tools (such as [tool name]) for tasks like idea generation and grammar checks. All content was reviewed and adapted to ensure it meets course objectives.”
“AI tools (such as [tool name]) were used to assist in creating exam questions and formatting. All questions were reviewed and edited to ensure accuracy, fairness, and alignment with course objectives.”

We encourage you to engage in dialogue with your students about the role of AI in your discipline, how it is transforming your industry, driving innovation in your field, and the opportunities and challenges it presents. Share your insights and concerns, and invite students to explore the opportunities and challenges together. Together, you can build a learning environment that inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and responsible use of emerging technologies.

Sample Language

In addition to including a clear statement in your syllabus, it’s important to reinforce expectations throughout the course. Providing consistent language on Canvas, in announcements, and on graded and ungraded academic exercises helps students recognize expectations in context and at the point of application. This approach promotes transparency, reinforces shared expectations for academic integrity, and helps students understand and uphold those standards throughout the course. Examples are provided below, and Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution staff are available for consultation if you would like to discuss language specific to your course needs.

For Course Announcement or Page

Example: AI Tools are Permitted

This course encourages the ethical, transparent, and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grammarly, etc.) to support learning, critical thinking, and professional preparation. AI may assist with brainstorming, drafting, editing, and analysis, but it does not replace your judgment, originality, or responsibility for submitted work.

Your grade will be based on the quality of the work you turn in, whether or not you use AI tools. It’s your responsibility to make sure your work is accurate, original, and meets the standards for this course. Students are not required to use AI; however, if you use AI at any point, you must include an AI Disclosure explaining what tools you used and how you used them. It is strongly recommended that you use software that has an “approved” rating from UNC Charlotte’s Office of OneIT.

Example: AI Tools are Prohibited

One of the primary learning outcomes of this course is to help students build strong foundational skills in the subject matter. While AI tools can provide quick answers and streamline tasks, relying on them at this stage can undermine the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical proficiency. The goal is not speed, but mastery. Completing work independently will strengthen your understanding of essential concepts needed for advanced courses and professional practice. Therefore, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to generative AI platforms, is strictly prohibited for all assignments, projects, and assessments in this course unless explicitly permitted for a specific activity.

For Assignment/Exam Statements

Example: AI allowed with Disclosure on Assignment/Exam

You are permitted, but not required, to use AI tools (such as Copilot or Gemini) to support your learning and productivity on this assignment. However, transparency is required, and failure to disclose AI use may be considered a violation of the Code of Student Academic Integrity. As you approach this [assignment/exam], please note:

Your grade will be based on the quality of the work you submit, whether or not you use AI tools.
- If you use AI, please make sure you keep a full copy of all your interactions (e.g. prompts, tool used, how you used it, etc.) to provide as a part of your response.
You are responsible for ensuring your work is accurate, original, and meets the standards for this course. This includes accurately citing sources, including AI use (if applicable) in APA citation style.
AI use is optional. To ensure transparency, you are required you to disclose your use of AI tools.

Example: AI Prohibited on Assignment/Exam

The use of AI tools (such as ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, etc.) is not permitted on this assignment. All ideas, wording, analysis, and images must be your own unless otherwise cited from another source. Using AI-generated content (e.g., ChatGPT responses) is not allowed because this assignment is meant to capture your personal thoughts and insight on the assigned reading, help you practice independent reasoning, and demonstrate your critical thinking. Using AI generated content means it is no longer your authentic reflection, which undermines the assignment’s intent.

Example AI Disclosure Instructions/Statement

One of the key learning objectives for this assignment is to help you develop the ability to determine when and how to appropriately use AI tools in your academic work. AI tools can be a powerful resource, but using them responsibly requires critical thinking and ethical judgement. For this assignment, you have the choice to use or not use AI tools. Regardless of your decision, you must include a disclosure statement that reflects your decision.

If you used any form of AI tool (such as Copilot, Grammarly, or similar) to assist with your assignment, project, or research, you are required to clearly disclose this usage in your submission. Your answer should reflect your actual use and demonstrate thoughtful engagement with the tools. You are required to disclose the following:

List of tool(s) you used (e.g., Copilot, Grammarly, etc.).
What tasks they helped with (e.g., brainstorming, summarizing sources, creating citations, defining key terms, generating images, revising drafts, etc.).
Prompts or Instructions you provided (list all prompts/instructions used).
Extent of use (e.g. “AI suggested phrasing of 3 sentences; all ideas and analysis are mine).
How you ensured accuracy, originality and integrity in your final submission.

Example AI Disclosure Statements:

Option 1: “I acknowledge that I used artificial intelligence (AI) to complete this [assignment]. I used [tools] to [describe the specific purpose/task]. To do so, I used the following prompts/instructions: [List all prompts/instructions used]. I used the information provided by AI to [extent of use]. To ensure accuracy, originality and integrity, I [list what you did].”

Option 2: “Although I did not use AI to complete any portion of this [assignment/exam], I could have used AI to complete [list task(s)]. I entered the prompt/instruction “[list at least one prompt/instruction]” into [list tool(s)] and it provided the following response: “[list response].” In reviewing the response provided by AI, I found the response to be [reflect on accuracy/strengths, or concerns/weaknesses of the answer provided by AI].”

Option 3: “I chose not to use AI for any part of this [assignment/exam] because [explain why you decided not to use it]. I believe this was the appropriate decision for this [assignment/exam] because [explain what made this choice unique to this assignment/exam].”