AI Ethics & Responsible Use

Understanding the ethical implications and responsible practices when using AI in academic and professional contexts

Academic Integrity with AI

At The Ohio State University, we promote transparent and responsible AI use rather than prohibition. This approach prepares students for professional environments where AI tools are commonplace.

✓ Do These Things

  • Always disclose when you've used AI assistance
  • Share conversation links when required
  • Use AI to enhance your understanding, not replace it
  • Learn from the AI's explanations and methods
  • Verify AI-generated information with reliable sources
  • Ask AI to explain its reasoning
  • Use AI to brainstorm and explore ideas

✗ Avoid These Practices

  • Submitting AI-generated work as your own
  • Hiding your use of AI tools
  • Copying AI responses without understanding
  • Using AI to complete entire assignments
  • Accepting AI outputs without verification
  • Sharing sensitive or personal information
  • Violating course-specific AI policies

⚠️ Important Reminder

Always check your course syllabus and ask your instructor about specific AI use policies. Requirements may vary between courses and assignments.

Core Ethical Principles

Transparency

Be open about your AI use. This builds trust, allows for proper evaluation of your work, and helps others learn from your methods.

Responsibility

You remain accountable for the content you submit. AI assistance doesn't transfer responsibility for accuracy or appropriateness.

Learning-Focused

Use AI to enhance learning, not replace it. The goal is to understand concepts better, not to avoid the learning process.

Respect for Others

Consider how your AI use affects classmates, instructors, and the broader academic community. Maintain fairness and respect.

Privacy Protection

Never share personal information, proprietary data, or sensitive content with AI systems. Protect your privacy and that of others.

Critical Thinking

Always evaluate AI outputs critically. Understand that AI can make mistakes, have biases, or provide incomplete information.

Understanding AI Limitations

Common AI Issues to Be Aware Of:

Hallucinations

AI can generate false information that sounds convincing. Always verify facts, especially for important claims or data.

Bias

AI systems can reflect biases present in their training data. Be aware of potential cultural, gender, or other biases in responses.

Knowledge Cutoffs

AI models have training cutoff dates and may not know about recent events or developments in your field.

Context Limitations

AI may misunderstand context or nuance, especially in complex academic or professional scenarios.

Remember: AI is a tool to enhance your thinking, not replace it. Your judgment, creativity, and critical thinking skills remain essential.

Preparing for Professional AI Use

Learning responsible AI use in academia prepares you for professional environments where these skills are increasingly valuable:

Workplace Readiness

Many employers expect graduates to understand AI tools and use them responsibly. Your academic AI experience builds this competency.

Industry Standards

Supply chain organizations are adopting AI for optimization, forecasting, and analysis. Understanding ethical use is crucial for career success.

Innovation Mindset

Responsible AI use fosters innovation while maintaining ethical standards - a balance highly valued in professional settings.