Using AI in assessment
Understand when it is and is not appropriate to use generative AI in your assessed work, and navigate university policy on AI in assessment
Go to: When can I use generative AI? | Essential or optional use | Prohibited use | Responsible use in assessment | Acknowledging use of generative AI
When can I use generative AI in my assessments?
You will be advised whether use of generative AI is essential, optional, or prohibited for each assessment task. This information should be clearly stated in your module handbooks or assessment briefs.
Do not make any assumptions about the use of generative AI in an assessment. If you can't find guidance on AI use for a specific assessment, ask your tutor or module convenor.
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Essential or optional use
Essential or optional use of AI in assessed work will depend on your subject area and the type of assessment. It might involve integration of AI tools into a piece of assessed work, or occasional use of AI for specific elements or tasks within the assessment. Details will be in your assessment briefs or module handbooks.
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Prohibited use and false authorship
Where use of generative AI is prohibited for an assessment task, the university equates use of these tools with false authorship, which is a form of academic misconduct and will carry similar penalties. Content created or significantly modified by generative AI, whether text, code, images, or video, is not considered to be your own work.
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Responsible use of AI in assessment
To learn more about generative AI in your assessments, you can work through the following resource:
Generative AI: Responsible use in assessment
Please note: these are central University of Nottingham guidelines. Information and policies specific to your academic department will be provided in module handbooks and assessment briefs, and by your tutors.
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Why is AI permitted for some assessments, but not for others?
Why generative AI might be essential / optional
The purpose of your assessed work is not to produce content. It is to develop your skills. Where generative AI is essential or optional, in addition to the stated learning outcomes, the assessed task is designed to develop your AI skills and AI literacy, including:
- Becoming more familiar with generative AI tools
- Writing effective prompts
- Evaluating AI-generated content
- Fact-checking
Why generative AI might be prohibited
The purpose of your assessed work is not to produce content. It is to develop your skills. Where use of generative AI is prohibited, in addition to the stated learning outcomes, the assessed task is designed to develop the skills that AI cannot replace, including:
- Originality and independent thought
- Reflective practice
- Critical evaluation of information
- Specialist knowledge and experience
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Acknowledging use of generative AI
Where use of AI in your assessed work is marked as essential or optional, information on how to acknowledge your use of AI should be included in your module handbook or assessment brief. When you are unsure, consult your tutor for that module, or the module convenor.
There are several ways in which you might be asked to acknowledge your use of AI:
- An acknowledgement integrated into the assessment task
- An appendix containing your full interaction(s) with the AI tool
- A statement of acknowledgement
- Citations and references
The precise manner in which you are expected to acknowledge your use of AI will be explained in your module handbook or assessment brief.
Whenever you are interacting with generative AI, it is good practice to keep a full record or chat log of these interactions. This will provide evidence of how you have engaged with generative AI, should it be needed later.
For some assessments, you may be encouraged to reference AI-generated content using a traditional academic referencing style. You should follow the guidance given by your school or department (e.g., in an assessment handbook) when referencing AI-generated material. Examples of how AI-generated content might be cited can be viewed in Cite Them Right, and in our Referencing Styles Guide.
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