The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (or GenAI) is present in all teaching modalities and levels. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot, and Grammarly are embedded into our everyday software and everyday lives. The same can be said for our students, who have been making decisions about when, how, and why they use GenAI tools to support (or replace) their learning since late 2022.

This reality means that every syllabus in every course requires clear academic integrity and AI use statements. This is especially important for those teaching at an institution that has not yet established AI use policies for their campus or for those teaching at institution that has opted to leave AI use decisions at the program or course level.

When it comes to AI, vague or missing syllabus language creates space for student misconceptions, unintentional misconduct, imbalanced enforcement, and potential conflict. A clear syllabus statement about AI reduces that confusion and anxiety and establishes shared norms before problems arise.

Your syllabus is an opportunity to:

Explain why certain uses of AI align (or conflict) with your learning goals
Make your values about authorship, agency, transparency, and learning visible
Acknowledge gray areas surrounding AI and invite students to ask questions

Design principles for an effective AI syllabus policy

The following principles can help you craft new syllabus policy language or adapt existing language to best support your students as you navigate the use of Generative AI in your course.

Your AI course policy should explicitly reference:

Institutional academic integrity and AI policies
Relevant disciplinary or professional ethical standards regarding Generative AI

This tells your students that course expectations are grounded in shared expectations and not your personal preferences. Any course-level AI and/or academic integrity policy should align with institutional guidance provided by your campus. If your institution provides required or recommended syllabus language for AI use, your course policies should adopt and adapt that approved language.

Students need clear examples of what AI use is and is not permitted. Ideally, your examples will tie directly into aspects of your course. The more specific you are, the less likely students will rely on their gut instinct or interpret your examples incorrectly.

Effective policies frame AI as a way to support students as they learn, not as a shortcut! Strong policies also remind students that generative AI requires active user judgement and transparent use. Emphasize the importance of responsible disclosure rather than policing or detecting. This helps students see themselves as partners in maintaining the spirit of academic integrity in your course.

Your AI policy is a chance to remind students that they will always be fully responsible for all aspects of their submitted work. Using AI does not transfer their accountability or authorship to someone else (or something else). This mirrors expectations they will encounter in their various professional fields.

AI tools and norms are constantly evolving, so your policy should acknowledge the existing uncertainty around these tools. Take a moment to invite student questions about use and encourage proactive communication when they are unsure about disclosure. If you are planning to provide additional assignment-level guidance, be sure to signal that for students in your larger policy as well.

Sample syllabus language and resources

You do not need to start from scratch when crafting a policy. While you should always plan to adopt and adapt language from your particular campus, feel free to review other examples across a range of approaches (permissive, moderately permissive, and restrictive) and disciplines:

Syllabi Policies for AI Generative Tools: This resource is created by Lance Eaton to share and assist other educators in the development of their own AI policies.
Annotated, abridged syllabus policy examples: Daniel Stanford’s annotated, abridged copy of the AI syllabus policy repository established by Lance Eaton.