Writing Help: ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Writing Tools
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, tools, and compilations listed in this guide are not endorsed by the Writing Centre. Please read our policy.
Writing Centre Tutoring Policy on Generative AI
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, tools, and compilations listed in this guide are not endorsed by the Writing Centre. Please read our policy, and keep in mind the following:
1) As an ethical practice, it is essential to obtain permission from instructors, supervisors, prospective publishers or any other stakeholders before utilizing such tools. This ensures that you use resources in a responsible, ethical, and lawful manner, while also respecting the privacy of individuals and upholding intellectual property rights including Indigenous Knowledges.
2) Furthermore, before using any AI-powered tools, it is crucial to learn more about the ethical issues around generative artificial intelligence, including considerations around privacy, bias and discrimination, fabrications, environmental concerns, human labour, and academic integrity. These and other ethical concerns are outlined in plain language in a post by scholar Leon Furze. More information on ethical considerations can be found on this page.
- Writing Centre Policy on AI Writing ToolsA policy and guide written for tutors at the USask Writing Centre. Version 4, March 15, 2023. Authored by USask tutors, staff, and faculty.
AI and Citation and Copyright
Always check with your instructor, supervisor, or prospective publisher for clarity on the use of and citation of ChatGPT and similar tools.
- Teaching AI Ethics and CopyrightAn article by Leon Furze, an expert in AI ethics. Contains links to posts expanding on copyright in various disciplinary contexts.
- USask Student FAQ on Citation and AuthorshipFAQ #5: How should I cite AI-generated text?
- USask Faculty FAQ on Citation and AuthorshipFaculty FAQ #7 explains the potential implications of ChatGPT on research and citation.
- Creative Commons on Generative AIBlog posts on the topic of generative AI and Creative Commons.
Generative AI and Teaching and Learning
- AI Text Generators and Teaching WritingCompiled by the Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse, a wealth of resources, including ideas for assignment design and engaging students.
- Generative AI Guide for TeachersA Monash University guide for teachers around policy and practice, communicating with students, and assessment.
- A Guide for Educators and AdministratorsPublished in May 2023. A free book (PDF) with detailed advice for educators and administrators regarding GenAI and how it impacts instruction and institutional policy.
- MLA-CCCC Joint Task Force on Writing and AI Working Paper: Overview of the Issues, Statement of Principles, and RecommendationsPosted in July 2023, for writing, language, and literature educators.
- Class Policies for Generative AI ToolsExample class policies.
- Making GenAI Expectations Clear for Your StudentsA blog post and resources from the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning.
- Rethinking Academia and TeachingThe Sentient Syllabus Project is a "public-good collaborative to enrich the discussion and create practical resources as we transit into an era of digital thought."
- USask ChatGPT FAQ for StudentsWhat to do and how to get help.
- USask Chat GPT FAQ for FacultyWhat to do and how to get help.
AI and Indigenous Knowledges, Languages, and Data
- Decolonizing AI Ethics: Indigenous AI ReflectionsJennafer Roberts discusses citation, understanding AI outside the "Western Technoutilitarian Lens," and imagining decolonization with AI. Published July 10, 2023.
- How Native Americans Are Trying to Debug A.I.’s Biases"Data on Native communities are not at the levels needed for accuracy in A.I.-driven tools. A group is trying to solve that problem."
- Speaking my Indigenous language with new AIby Maori journalist Joel Maxwell: "But what about AI and indigenous culture? Do the new programs speak our reo? Would they claim to be Māori? And if they did, would that mean they expire, colonisation-style, seven years earlier than non-Māori AI?"
- Sand Talk, Indigenous Thinking and Digital FuturesPublished July 2023. Includes an interview with Tyson Yunkaport, writer, academic, and Indigenous thinker from the Apalech Clan of the Anangu people, in what is now known as Australia.
- Indigenous Protocol and Artificial Intelligence Position PaperMost recent update: May 2023. From Concordia University: "This position paper on Indigenous Protocol (IP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a starting place for those who want to design and create AI from an ethical position that centers Indigenous concerns."
AI Writing Tools: Lists and Reviews
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, tools, and compilations listed in this guide are not endorsed by the Writing Centre. Please read our policy, and keep in mind the following:
1) As an ethical practice, it is essential to obtain permission from instructors, supervisors, prospective publishers or any other stakeholders before utilizing such tools. This ensures that you use resources in a responsible, ethical, and lawful manner, while also respecting the privacy of individuals and upholding intellectual property rights including Indigenous Knowledges.
2) Furthermore, before using any AI-powered tools, it is crucial to learn more about the ethical issues around generative artificial intelligence, including considerations around privacy, bias and discrimination, fabrications, environmental concerns, human labour, and academic integrity. These and other ethical concerns are outlined in plain language in a post by scholar Leon Furze.
- 600+ AI Tools, CategorizedA frequently-updated compendium of AI tools, categorized according to purpose, including transcription, video editors, research, and writing.
- List of AI Writing AssistantsG2 Business Software Reviews. Regularly updated.
- AI Tool DirectoryUpdated daily.
- Perplexity.ai Tool - Alternative to ChatGPTUnlike ChatGPT, Perplexity does not require log-in information, and it provides real-time answers, displaying the sources of the information it finds. Users can specify source types, such as academic or news sources.
- A Critical Guide to Appraising AI ToolsThis page leads readers through critical questions to answer before using a new digital tool, including its purpose, accuracy and trustworthiness, relevancy, legal considerations, and social and ethical considerations. Note: always check with your professor, supervisor, or publisher whether the use of an AI tool is acceptable.
USask Tutorial on Ethical Use of Generative AI
- Understanding Generative AIThe Academic Integrity Tutorial now includes a module called "Understanding Generative AI." This module covers the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the university setting, including tools like ChatGPT.
Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
- USask Recommendations for Ethical Use of Artificial IntelligenceFrom the USask Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning: "These recommendations were provided in June 2023 in response to a request from Deans to provide guidance to the campus community with respect to ChatGPT – a generative artificial intelligence tool that can produce content that is difficult to distinguish from that produced by humans. Some links were updated in July 2023.
Advice in this area is evolving and questions and suggestions are invited for future updates of this resource (contact susan.bens@usask.ca)." - ENAI Recommendations on the Ethical Use of ChatGPT in HIgher EducationThis paper presents "a set of recommendations with the aim of supporting academics, researchers and other educational stakeholders, including students’ organisations, on the ethical use of AI tools." - Published May 1, 2023 by the European Network for Academic Integrity
- Guidelines for the Use of AI Detection ToolsCanadian academic integrity expert Sarah Eaton explains the risks and potential harms of using artificial intelligence detection tools. She provides a set of guidelines for the ethical use of artificial intelligence detectors.
- UNESCO Guide: ChatGPT and artificial intelligence in higher education"This Quick Start Guide introduces ChatGPT . . . [,] provides an overview of how ChatGPT works and explains how it can be used in higher education. [It] . . . raises some of the main challenges and ethical implications of AI in higher education and offers practical steps that higher education institutions can take. Published in April 2023 by
- UNESCO: Ethics of AIThe UNESCO report provides key recommendations to empower policymakers in implementing core values and principles across diverse areas, including data governance, environment, gender, education, research, health, and beyond.
- Programs to Detect AI Discriminate Against Non-Native English SpeakersGPT detectors could lead to discrimination against non-native writers; false accusations of cheating can harm their academic careers and well-being.
- Nine Ethical Concerns around AIAn expert on the implications of Artificial Intelligence on writing instruction and education, Leon Furze discusses nine areas of ethical concern: bias and discrimination, environmental concerns, truth and academic integrity, copyright, privacy, datafication, emotion recognition, human labour, and power.
- Repository of Incidents and Controversies Related to Artificial Intelligence"AIAAIC's independent, free, open library identifies and assesses 1,000+ incidents and controversies driven by and relating to AI, algorithms, and automation." Helpful for class discussion and for research projects.
Websites with Bibliographies and Source Pages
- Sources to Stimulate Discussion Amongst TeachersA well-organized, regularly updated bibliography from the Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse.
- Articles and Resources Compiled by the Partnership on University Plagiarism PreventionA regularly-updated page with links to articles and resources on several artificial intelligence topics, from detection to citation.
Learn More about Generative AI
- Quick Start Guide to AI and WritingDeveloped by the MLA and the CCCC for teachers of writing.
- Understanding AI IssuesContinually updated resource on how large language models (LLMs) like Chat GPT-3 work; what they can do; what's next; implications; and how to live with them. By Boris Steipe
- Artificial Intelligence: Introductory, Interactive ModulesA basic introduction to artificial intelligence, with a focus on the post-secondary environment. It covers the types of AI, general concerns, benefits, and studying using AI.
- Elements of Artificial Intelligence: A Free Course"The Elements of AI is a series of free online courses created by MinnaLearn and the University of Helsinki. We want to encourage as broad a group of people as possible to learn what AI is, what can (and can’t) be done with AI, and how to start creating AI methods. The courses combine theory with practical exercises and can be completed at your own pace."
- Artificial Intelligence and WritingPublished summer 2023.