Student Guidelines for Documenting AI Usage
To document AI usage for a class, you should be transparent about how the tools were used, cite the AI output according to the required style guide, and potentially include a process statement or transcript with your assignment submission.
📌 Key Principle
By properly documenting your AI use, you provide a clear and responsible record of your process, maintaining academic integrity in your class.
Always consult your instructor's specific guidelines first, as policies on AI use and documentation can vary by course and assignment.
The main goal is honesty. Clearly indicate which parts of your work, if any, were assisted by AI.
As you work, save your prompts, the AI's responses (output), and notes on how you integrated the output into your work (e.g., brainstorming, editing, code generation, summarization). Screenshots of the interaction can also be useful.
Depending on your instructor's requirements, you may need to use one or a combination of these methods:
Treat AI-generated text or data as a source you would cite, using quotation marks for direct quotes and following the rules of a specific style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
For many assignments, a simple citation isn't enough. You may need to provide a statement, usually in an appendix or designated section, that details your process.
The name and version of the AI tool (e.g., Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude)
A description of how you used the tool (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, editing, debugging code)
A list of the specific prompts or queries you used
An explanation of how the AI output was altered, adapted, or built upon to create your final work
Some instructors may ask for a reflective piece where you discuss your AI usage experience. This helps demonstrate critical engagement with the technology rather than just relying on it to complete the work for you.
By using these methods, you provide a clear and responsible record of your AI use, maintaining academic integrity in your class. When in doubt, always ask your instructor for clarification on their specific documentation requirements.