Writing Help: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Disclaimer: This guide does not constitute endorsement or promotion of the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools. The content serves only to facilitate an understanding of how GenAI tools can be used within various contexts and should not replace any advice, guidance, or requirements from your instructors, supervisors, publishers, the institution, or other stakeholders. The Writing Centre does not use Artificial Intelligence to assess or provide feedback on student work.

Before using any GenAI writing tools, verify whether their use is permitted by checking assignment instructions, noting any in-class guidance, and reviewing the course syllabus. 

Recommendations

• If you are still unsure about acceptable uses of GenAI, ask your instructor or supervisor for more information or clarification.

• You may want to request guidance in writing (such as in an email) to ensure you are not missing any details.

• Note that what is allowed in one class, or even in one individual assignment, may not be allowed in another. 

• Respect the reasons for what your professor considers unacceptable use of GenAI.

Please consult relevant parts of the Library's GenAI guide for more information, particularly around integrity and ethics, and visit the USask Academic integrity page's Advice for Students.

When working as part of a group, discuss group ground rules around acceptable GenAI use. Furthermore, all group members should acquire some basic education around academic integrity and GenAI. Consider the following topics before proceeding with the project: 

• Are group members familiar with official guidance provided by an instructor, editorial board, or similar authority? 
• What familiarity do group members have with GenAI tools?  
• Do any group members have ethical concerns about using GenAI, and if so, how will the group manage those concerns? 
• If GenAI is to be used, what are its perceived benefits for the group? Why is it being used? 
• If GenAI is to be used, what are its perceived drawbacks for the group? In what contexts or specific tasks in the writing process should the group not use it? 
• If GenAI is to be used, how will it be used? What limits will be imposed? 
• What approaches will the group use to verify the accuracy and reliability of GenAI-produced outputs? 
• How will the group ensure that the use of GenAI material is tracked  (see documentation)  and properly acknowledged? 
• How will the group ensure that privacy is not compromised and copyright is not violated (see Ethical Considerations tabs: Privacy, Copyright)

In the case of a course assignment, if conflicts emerge, students should speak to their instructors about their concerns.

Disclaimer: The following information is not an endorsement or promotion of the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools. The content serves only to facilitate an understanding of how GenAI tools can be used within various contexts and should not replace any advice, guidance, or requirements from your instructors, supervisors, publishers, the institution, or other stakeholders.

USask-Supported Tools

At present, the main USask-supported writing tool is Microsoft 365, which includes MS Editor. Microsoft tools have long incorporated some elements of artificial intelligence (e.g., spellcheck and predictive text). 

Remember that as more GenAI is embedded in standard, institutionally-supported software, writers are still responsible for verifying with instructors, supervisors, and prospective publishers that it is acceptable to enable these features.

To stay up to date about USask-supported technology tools, visit the Learning Technology Ecosystem Toolkit.

GenAI Product Tracker

The Generative AI Product Tracker is made available by Ithaka S+R. It provides a list of generative AI tools relevant for postsecondary use and is updated regularly as new products and tools become available. Please note, however, that these are not campus-supported tools. For a list of USask-approved tools, consult the LTE Toolkit. To request a review for a new tool from this tracker, please follow the recommendations for requesting a new LTE tool or the steps in this ICT guide.

In addition to asking whether they have permission to use GenAI, students can ask instructors or supervisors these questions:

• What are your opinions about GenAI?
• How are scholars in your field responding to GenAI?
• How do you see GenAI changing teaching, learning, and research in the coming years?
• In what scenarios do you think using GenAI is appropriate?
• What advice would you give to students about using GenAI?