AI & Assignments: What’s Ethical, What’s Not, and What Works

When it comes to doing assignments, AI is like that one friend who knows everything, never gets tired, and responds in seconds. Sounds like the ultimate study partner, right? Well...yes and no. AI can be an amazing support in terms of completing assignments, but it can also be the start of a slippery slope. Here are ways to use it wisely to help you stay on the good side of ethics:

What Is Ethical:Using AI as a support and not as an author. You can think of it more like someone who assists you in thinking through ideas, or makes suggestions, or just helps you express your ideas through language.  There is certainly no ethical issue in using AI to proofread your essay for grammar, or to explain some abstract theory. It's no different than asking a friend or tutor for help, and it's just quicker and more accessible.

What is Not Ethical:Submitting an assignment to your teacher or supervisor that you did not do, and that A.I. did for you, is unethical. Universities call this plagiarism, and employers call this dishonesty. If you are allowing AI to write your entire assignment without a good understanding of what you have to submit, not only are there possible negative consequences for breach of ethics, but you are cheating yourself out of any learning. If you copy and paste from AI without asking questions or thinking critically about your assignment, you have removed any use of your voice, and your teacher can spot that you have taken a lazy way out.

What Works:The ideal part is being in partnership with AI. Use it to sketch out your essay, generate ideas for research, or break down complex readings. Then apply your analysis, examples, and intuition. Picture AI as being the framework, and your writing is the architect's response to it. That results in a piece that is both smart and original. And you now have a project that was not "generic" but "genuine."

At the end of the day, AI can be just a tool, but not a way to do my thinking for there. AI can save you time, generate ideas, and help you create work for assignments when used appropriately. It is beneficial, but it can not offer your uniqueness in voice and depth. The idea should be to use AI with your effort, letting the AI do the little bit of work while you provide the true understanding and creativity.