If you approach AI use through the task-based lens, you can use these guiding questions to help determine how you want to approach AI in your classroom:
Let’s consider how AI might be used (or not used!) in a writing-intensive biology class.
Does this task replace learning for my students?
For writing lab reports, yes. For interpreting results, maybe.
Does this task enhance learning for my students?
Likely no, although if a checklist for verification was included to verify result analysis, that could possibly mimic collaborative result practices?
With these principles in mind, crafting a policy around tools may not be helpful, but stating that “AI such as ChatGPT may not be used to generate text for lab reports” is clearer.
What task does this tool do with AI?
Does this task replace learning for my students?
Maybe for the initial search, but finding related articles is a feature in many research databases.
Does this task enhance learning for my students?
Maybe again! Is this a class for upperclassmen who have had more experience digging into the initial research phase and for whom this would be an enhancement of established research practices, or is this a class for underclassmen who would benefit more from targeted research sessions with librarians?
Because of the specificity of matching AI use to courses with particular cohorts, banning AI in its entirety (without explaining what that means) is inadvisable. Instead, state what is disallowed.
Edutopia's stoplight model 🚦 of all-some-no use can be helpful, with many AI policies that have been shared on AI policy syllabus repository here indicating “some” use. Some institutions outline this as being AI “permissive,” “mixed,” and “restrictive.”
“AI may be used freely in this course so long as it is cited properly. Work must still be your own or not replace substantive thinking.”
“AI may be used to assist in research, such as finding related sources in research databases. AI may not be used to generate text. If you use an AI tool to assist, you must state what tool and how it was used for transparency.”
“AI may not be used in this course to generate content. This includes such use brainstorming, outlining, reformatting text, generating text or images, or rewriting text. Spell check is acceptable.”
Note that because of the ubiquity of AI, the “no use” policy may be unclear for students as to whether or not research AI can be used. You may need add to the statement for clarification:
“Research AI tools such as database AI are permitted.”
or
“All AI use questions should be directed to me at least 48 hours before an assignment’s due date.”