The ethics around AI (and genAI in particular) are complex and multifaceted. As AI is a tool being developed by humans, it is not inherently ethical or unethical. AI, however, acts out human intention. Therefore, AI can be trained, developed and used ethically (or unethically).

Many questions may arise in the creation and use of genAI:

Can I trust this technology?
Can I trust that the generated output is accurate?
Is AI a responsible technology?
Will it keep my input and data private?
What are the environmental implications and impact of using AI?
How does or will AI affect our lives and society; will it benefit or harm us?

There is no simple answer or solution to these questions. It is important to understand that there are various viewpoints on AI ethics and that they are shaped by unique perspectives and experiences, as is your own viewpoint. If you want to delve deeper into the ethical issues around AI, read the Legal, ethical and social issues with AI.

Use genAI responsibly in your studies

AI tools can serve as valuable aids in your learning, but AI should never replace your learning and the development of your skill set. It is essential that you engage with your unit content to develop your critical thinking skills.

Acceptable use:

If you use AI tools in your studies, your use must be 'permitted and admitted'.
Use can vary depending on which course you are enrolled in and the parameters of the particular individual or group assessment that you are completing.
If your unit coordinator sets limits on how you can use AI tools, be sure to stay within those limits.

Use genAI ethically in your studies

Being a student at SUT, you are expected to follow ethical principles, such as accountability, honesty, transparency, privacy and reliability (as outlined in the Swinburne Student Charter). Similarly, using genAI ethically requires you to observe these principles. You can find more guidance on AI ethics by consulting the Australian Government's list of 8 AI ethics principles.

The following short list of genAI best practices may help you in better understanding some of the challenges, risks and affordances of using genAI tools in your studies.

Best practices for using genAI

Don't trust AI-generated information:
- Evaluate outputs: always critically evaluate the content generated by AI for accuracy, relevance and originality. Be aware that AI can produce plausible but incorrect information (hallucinations) and may reflect outdated data.
- Check the accuracy: investigate how accurate outputs are with multiple reliable sources. Use academic journals, trusted websites and authoritative books to cross-check facts and data provided by AI tools.
Academic integrity:
- Avoid academic dishonesty: familiarise yourself with Swinburne's academic integrity policy. Ensure that you do not use AI in ways that violate these policies, such as submitting AI-generated work as your own without proper attribution.
- Acknowledge AI use: if your unit convenor allows genAI use, acknowledge the use of AI tools in your work or assessments by following the library referencing guides.
Bias and fairness:
- Check for bias: AI-generated content can reflect systemic biases. Always review the content for any biases related to race, gender, politics or other cultural aspects. Strive to present a balanced and fair perspective in your work.
Privacy and security:
- Protect personal information: avoid putting any personal or sensitive information into AI systems, as some tools may use this data for training purposes (i.e. ChatGPT).
- Follow security best practices: be cautious of potential security risks, such as phishing emails and deepfakes, which may be more sophisticated due to AI advancements.
Ethical use:
- Respect copyright and IP: do not use genAI to circumvent paywalls or to copy and share material in ways that infringe on copyright or terms of use. Always respect intellectual property rights.
- Consider environmental impact: be mindful of the environmental impact of AI. GenAI requires significant energy and water resources. Use AI responsibly and consider the broader implications of its use.

By following these best practices, you can effectively and ethically integrate genAI into your academic work (if permitted) whilst maintaining integrity and creativity.

You are accountable for your work. If you are not sure if you are permitted to use AI tools for your assessment or other purposes, please ask your unit convenor.

Examples of genAI use

Here are a few ideas about how you can enhance your learning experience (if use of genAI is permitted).

Research support
Learning support
Language support
Career support

Topic exploration:

Brainstorm ideas.

AI tools may be used to suggest relevant sources for your research topic and summarise key points from academic papers and books before you examine them in greater depth.

NOTE: Don't blindly trust the AI outputs. They may be wrong.

Clarifying concepts:

AI may help you understand complex concepts or technical jargon by breaking it down into simpler terms.

Test your knowledge:

AI tools may be able to generate quizzes and flash cards to support your exam preparations.

NOTE: Don't ask AI tools to complete your assessment tasks. You are accountable for your work.

Proofreading:

AI (such as the MS Word AI Editor tool) can help you refine your language by suggesting alternative grammar and punctuation.

Language practice:

Get help with language exercises, translations and conversation practice.

NOTE: Don't blindly trust the AI outputs. They may be wrong.

Career tips:

Get ideas about writing resumes, preparing for interviews and exploring career options in your field.

NOTE: Don't share sensitive information. Your conversations (e.g. with ChatGPT) are not confidential. At a later date, the AI tool may publish (or re-purpose) the information that you provided.

Generative AI - Index