Plagiarism is defined by the University of the Incarnate Word as the "appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit." This applies to using another human's work or anything created by generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Use GenAL tools with caution. They are not an authoritative source for research. They are not always right. They are not a substitute for your critical thinking skills.
In the chart below, note the different levels of appropriate use of GenAI tools. Be sure to find out if your instructor authorizes you to use GenAI in your class assignments, to what extent you can use it, and if you need to disclose that in the finished product.
Text for the graphic "A Guide for Students: Should I use AI?"
Why do you want to use an AI Chat bot?
I want to:
use it to help me get started on an assignment or
help me improve on what I've already done or
explain an idea in simpler terms or in a different way
The answer is YES, I can use the tool, and my next steps are to:
Ask my teacher and check my handbooks to ensure that it's acceptable
Use an appropriate AI tool and track my work
Double-check my work for hallucinations and bias
Cite the use of the tool and describe how it was used.
What if I want the tool to help with my research and find facts, quotes, or resources?
The answer is YES, BUT...
I need to use a GenAI tool that will link to its sources, like Perplexity, to lower the chance of inaccuracy.
And verify with known information sources.
My next steps are also to:
Ask my teacher and check my handbooks to ensure that it's acceptable
Use an appropriate AI tool and track my work
Double-check my work for hallucinations and bias
Cite the use of the tool and describe how it was used.
What if I want the tool to fully complete the assignment for me?
The answer is NO.
If the tool is doing the work for you, then you’re missing the learning—Try another approach.
See also in the GenAI module:
What is a hallucination?
What is bias?
What does it mean to cite AI?
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