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Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

This guide provides an introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence, originally created in Fall 2023 and updated in Winter 2024 by Librarian Greg Bem. Content based on Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 workshops developed by Greg Bem.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical Use of Technology

Ethics in the context of technology typically means using technology in a way that aligns with community values and standards. Ethics is a large topic with many branches. Occasionally in academia, ethics is connected to academic integrity. The Spokane Community College (SCC) Student Handbook describes another related area of thought, student conduct:

"Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community. This includes obeying the law, complying with policies, procedures and rules of the district, the colleges and their departments, and maintaining a high standard of integrity and honesty and respecting the rights, privileges and property of others."

(SCC Student Handbook)

As members of the academic community, we should apply this way of thinking to how we interact with technology tools, including those that use GenAI.

Examples of Ethical Use of GenAI Tools in Higher Ed

  • Brainstorming / topical idea generation​
  • Editing / review of documents​
  • Assistance with creative writing​
  • Checking for problems in code​
  • Learning how GenAI works / operates in culture​

Examples of Unethical Use of GenAI Tools in Higher Ed

  • Entering assignments as prompts to have GenAI do all of the work for you​
  • Using GenAI information as credible and authoritative ​
  • Using GenAI tools and providing output information without including a student statement​Copying output from GenAI tools without adding any citations​

Additional Resources on Ethical Use of GenAI

“Some Harm Considerations of Large Language Models (LLMs)” by Rebecca Sweetman is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International.