Learn how to use AI responsibly, understand your college's policies, and access resources for navigating AI in your academic life.
Start here — understand what your school expects before using AI for coursework.
Understand Columbus State's AI policy and your responsibilities as a student.
Read PolicyUnderstand Ohio State's AI policy, considerations, and your academic responsibilities.
Read PolicyView IvyPanda's infographic for guidance on how to respond if you're falsely accused of using AI.
View Infographic"AI cannot think critically. You can't use it to do something it cannot do."
"Humans have to be the metacognition for the tool. You have to bring the structure. You have to bring the humanity. Otherwise it is a block of cold metal. You're the warmth in this."
— Dr. Michael J. Jabbour, Chief Innovation Officer, Microsoft EducationAI tools are increasingly capable, but capability is not the same as accountability, judgment in context, or lived human experience. While AI continues to advance in reasoning and analysis, there are qualities that remain genuinely and distinctively human:
AI is a powerful tool, but you are the one responsible for what you do with it. Employers will look for people who can direct, evaluate, and take ownership of AI-assisted work. The value you bring is not just what you can produce, but your judgment, your accountability, and your ability to know when AI is and is not appropriate.
Imagine that AI is your friend Joe. Is it OK to ask your friend Joe to do the following?
Courtesy of Ann Palazzo
Absolutely not.
No. You wouldn't send someone to attend a face-to-face class and speak for you, would you?
No. Revision is an essential part of the writing process and is where much of your intellectual growth occurs. You can't learn to do it unless you do it yourself.
Yes. This can help you identify strengths and weaknesses, similar to working with a tutor.
Yes, but it's best to have AI ask you questions so you remain in control of the creative process.
Yes, but always verify the sources to ensure they are real and accurate. AI is known to "hallucinate" citations.
After drafting on your own, you may use tools like Grammarly or Quillbot for grammar help. You can also ask AI questions about organization or evidence, as long as you're not asking it to add new ideas.
Example questions you might ask AI:
Yes. Be sure to note which tools you used, submit AI's responses, and include both your original and revised versions of your work after working with AI.
No. Do not submit writing generated by AI, even as part of a draft.
If you're ever uncertain, feel free to reach out to your instructor for guidance.
Only if you have express permission from your instructor. Otherwise, avoid using AI in classes where it isn't allowed.
My best advice for students is to remember that you are smarter than AI and your teachers would much rather read a genuine essay than AI-generated output. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, write your papers and essays using a tool like Google Docs that can track changes and save your drafts, and carefully follow the guidelines in your syllabus.