Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly part of university life, supporting learning, research, and career development. At York St John University, we encourage students to engage with AI thoughtfully, ethically, and critically. This guide introduces two key resources to help you navigate AI use during your studies and decide if using AI is appropriate for you.
1. Guiding Principles on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
York St John University has published a set of six guiding principles to help students use Generative AI (GenAI) tools responsibly. These principles are designed to support ethical, critical, and creative engagement with tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Grammarly, and Google Gemini.
Key Principles:
You stay in charge: AI should support your learning, not replace it. You are responsible for your ideas and submissions.
Be honest and transparent: If you use AI in your work, declare it clearly. This includes describing how you used it and submitting prompts and outputs if required.
Check the facts: AI can be inaccurate or biased. Always verify information and sources.
Think critically: Use AI to build your skills, not bypass them. Develop your own voice and ideas.
Respect academic integrity: Misusing AI or hiding its use may breach university policies.
Consider ethics and impact: Reflect on the environmental, social, and professional implications of AI use.
Your assignment briefs and your lecturers will give you more information about the rules on AI use for each assignment.
Read the full Guiding Principles
2. Your Critical AI Toolkit
Developed by Library and Learning Services and academic teams, the Critical AI Toolkit helps students and staff understand and use AI tools effectively. It’s designed to build your confidence, critical thinking, and decision-making skills when working with AI.
Toolkit Highlights:
- Understanding GenAI: Learn what AI is, where it appears in your studies and life, and how it works.
- Critical engagement: Explore questions about AI’s limitations, biases, and ethical use.
- Skill development: Learn how to communicate effectively with AI tools through prompt engineering and instruction-giving.
- Career readiness: Discover how AI can support your professional development and employability.
The toolkit also includes reflective questions, teaching resources, and guidance tailored to your discipline and assignments.
Explore the Critical AI Toolkit
Need Help?
If you're unsure how to use AI tools in your assignments or want to discuss ethical concerns:
- Look at the Guiding Principles, the Critical AI Toolkit, and your assignment briefs
- Discuss with your module tutor