3 Responsible Use
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Apply important guidelines when using AI tools in an educational setting
- Understand different scenarios where AI should or should not be used
- Evaluate your own use of AI on an assignment
- Create citations for an AI tool in your work
3.1 Guidelines
AI can be a great tool to support and enhance your academic journey when used responsibly. Similar to the ethical concerns outlined above, the same ethical standards apply to education. Following the guidelines explained below will ensure that you are maintaining integrity and developing AI literacy.
3.2 When to use AI:
You can use AI to assist with a variety of tasks but you should always be critical.
✅ Low Risk Uses (Generally Acceptable)
- Generating study materials (e.g., flashcards, concept maps) for personal use
- Asking AI to explain or clarify confusing concepts
- Creating images or illustrations to support learning
- Designing slide decks or patient education handouts ( layout, design elements, images)
- Using AI for personal organization (e.g., scheduling, reminders)
⚠️ Use With Caution
- Using AI to proofread or edit your writing (always double-check for accuracy and tone)
- Asking AI to summarize a reading—be aware of potential bias!
- Using AI to generate outlines or brainstorm ideas (ensure your final work is original)
- Exploring alternative explanations of concepts or terms – AI wants to make you happy, it may make things up
- Copy and paste – always read & critically appraise all outputs, including any AI generated citations
💡 Always critically evaluate AI output and cite appropriately if required.
🚫 Do Not Use (Violates Academic Integrity)
- When AI use is prohibited by your professor, syllabus, or assignment
- To write essays, discussion posts, or any graded paper
- To complete quizzes, homework, or take-home exams
- As your starting point for research or assignments (begin with your own thinking)
- As a replacement for true peer-review or for any other task that is critical for your personal and professional growth
3.3 How to Give Credit to AI Tools in Your Academic Work
Always check your course syllabus or assignment guidelines first. If you’re unsure how to cite AI, ask your instructor.
Reference List Citations
Use this format when including a conversation with an AI in your references:
Tool Creator. (Year). Name of the specific tool (Version of the tool) [Description]. URL
Example: ChatGPT
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (April 13 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Example: Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft. (2025). Copilot (April 13 version) [AI assistant]. https://copilot.microsoft.com
If You Can Link the Conversation with AI
Use this style if your AI tool allows sharing a specific chat:
OpenAI. (2025, April 13). ChatGPT response to a query about APA citation [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com/share/67fc5b9c-db58-8005-b207-78c29ad41a5b
If You Cannot Link the Conversation with AI
Include the full transcript in an appendix (e.g., Appendix A) and cite it like this in-text:
(OpenAI, 2025; see Appendix A for the full transcript)
In-Text Citation Examples
- Basic:
(OpenAI, 2025) - With appendix reference:
(Microsoft, 2025; see Appendix A)
🔗 See the APA Style Guide for more clarification.
Citing AI in Research
If AI assisted your research, include a description in your methods. For example:
Researchers used ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025) to generate additional ideas for survey questions. The results were reviewed and refined by the research team prior to use. See Appendix A and B for finalized list of survey questions and full-text conversation with ChatGPT.
General Best Practices for AI Disclosure
- ✅ Name the tool you used (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot)
- ✅ Explain how you used it (e.g., brainstorming, editing, coding support)
- ✅ Describe how you transformed the output (e.g., fact-checked, reworded, validated)
- ✅ Include the full AI conversation when possible (in appendix or shared link)
🎓 Transparency supports academic integrity and helps your instructors understand your process.
3.4 Self-Assessment of Ethical AI Use:
If you are concerned about whether or not you used AI ethically on an assignment, take a minute to reflect on each of these areas
Transparency
✅ I have clearly stated whether I used AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Adobe Firefly.
✅ I explained how I used AI, including whether it supported idea generation, research, drafting, editing, or generating citations.
✅ I identified any AI-generated content included in the final submission.
Authorship
✅ The work submitted reflects my own thinking, voice, and understanding.
✅ I critically reviewed and edited any AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and alignment with the assignment.
✅ I did not rely on AI to bypass essential learning objectives or skill development.
Academic Integrity
- ✅ I followed the course or university guidelines regarding AI use.
- ✅ I double-checked all references and avoided using fabricated citations from AI tools.
- ✅ I ensured my use of AI is consistent with academic honesty and integrity expectations.
Responsible Use
- ✅ I avoided entering any private or sensitive information into AI tools.
- ✅ I considered how my use of AI aligns with occupational therapy ethics and values.
- ✅ I recognized that AI may introduce bias or inaccuracies and addressed these appropriately.
Critical Reflection
- ✅ I evaluated the usefulness and accuracy of the AI-generated content.
- ✅ I can explain my decision-making process regarding when and how I used AI.
- ✅ I used AI as a learning support, not a replacement for my own analysis and effort.
References
Liu, Y. L., Cao, M., Blodgett, S. L., Cheung, J. C. K., Olteanu, A., & Trischler, A. (2023). Responsible AI considerations in text summarization research: A review of current practices. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2311.11103
American Psychological Association. (2023, April 7). How to cite ChatGPT. APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt