What is AI and when can I use it?
Artificial intelligence is a computer system or program that can do tasks our brains normally do!
AI can be a useful learning tool, but it should support your learning rather than replace it. The work you submit should show your own understanding, skills, and thinking.
Before using AI for an assessment, always read the assessment instructions carefully. Different courses have different rules. Some assessments allow AI for certain tasks, some allow broader use, and others do not allow AI at all. If you are unsure, ask your tutor or course coordinator before using AI.
Even when AI is allowed, you are responsible for checking that:
- the information is accurate
- the writing reflects your own understanding
- any sources are correctly reference
- you have followed the assessment instructions
AI can sometimes produce incorrect information or create fake references!
The UNSW framework for using AI in Assessments
UNSW uses different levels of AI permission for assessable course work. Your course outline, assessment guideline, course convenor and/or tutor will tell you which level applies.
Always follow the instructions provided for your assessment. The assessment instructions take priority over any general advice.
In general, the framework works like this:
Level 1 – No AI assistance permitted
You must complete the assessment without using AI. This is often used when the assessment is designed to measure your own knowledge or skills.
Level 2 – Simple editing assistance
Your Finale produce is entirely your own work and no Ai has been used in generating or rephrasing any of the content. However, you may use spell-checkers to correct typos and minor grammar issues.
Level 3 – Planning and Design assistance
The writing, analysis, and final submission must be your own work. You must not use AI to write your assignment.
But you can use AI to help you start your assessment. For example, you can use AI to generate ideas, create an outline, or help you organise your work. After that, you must complete the assessment yourself.
Level 4 – Assistance with acknowledgement
You may use AI after you have completed your own first draft. This means you should attempt the assessment yourself before asking AI for help.
Once you have written your draft, you can use AI to improve your work. For example, AI can help you check your grammar, improve your writing, make your ideas clearer, or suggest ways to organise your work. Your ideas and the final work should still be your own.
If you include AI-generated content in your assignment without acknowledging it when required, your lecturer may ask you to explain how you completed your work. You should be able to show that you understand what you submitted and explain how you used AI. If you cannot do this, your work may be considered plagiarism and referred to the UNSW Conduct & Integrity Office for investigation under the University's academic integrity process.
Save copies of your draft while you are working because your lecturer may ask to see them
Level 5 – Generative AI based assessments
In some courses, using AI is an expected part of the assessment. You may be assessed on how effectively and ethically you use AI as part of your work. Your convenor will specify what they want you to do with AI and what tools they expect you to use.
What is plagiarism and how do I reference AI?
Plagiarism means presenting someone else's words, ideas, images, code, or work as if they were your own. This can include work created by AI if you submit it without acknowledgement or explicit permission by the course convenor.
Plagiarism can be:
- Copying text from websites, books or articles without referencing
- Changing only a few words from another source
- Submitting AI-generated writing as your own when this is not permitted
- Using another student's work
- Reusing your own previous assignments without approval
To avoid plagiarism:
- Write your assignments in your own words after understanding your sources
- Acknowledge all sources using the referencing style required by your course
- Only use AI in ways that are permitted for your assessment
- Acknowledge AI if your course allows you to use it
For more information on how to reference AI in assessments click here.
What is Turnitin?
Most UNSW assessments are submitted through a program called Turnitin.
This program compares your work with published sources, websites and previously submitted assignments. It will then generate a similarity report that highlights text that it has identified as matching sources it identifies. It also can detect AI-generated text!
A high similarity score does not automatically mean plagiarism, and a low similarity score does not automatically mean there is no plagiarism. It can also identify correct quotations, references and common phrases when it generate its similarity report. Your lecturer will consider the report together with your assignment to determine whether academic integrity concerns exist.
Hot tips for preparing your assignments!
- Write in your own words
- Reference all your sources correctly (including AI ones!)
- Check any quotations are clearly identified
- Critically review your work before submitting
Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and can have serious implications on your university degree and later in life.
Who should you contact if you are unsure about using AI
If you are unsure whether AI is allowed for an assessment you should ALWAYS ask before you begin your work or check your course outline. Click here to search for you course outline.
You can contact:
- your tutor
- your course coordinator
- your lecturer
- UNSW's student support staff (click here to book an appointment)
- the UNSW Academic Skills team for advice on academic writing and responsible AI use (click here to book an appointment)
- the UNSW Library for help with referencing (click here
Need more information?
If you are a UNSW student and Arc member we can give you free legal advice. Book an appointment with us here, or check out our Plagiarism Tool Kit
