KU gives instructors flexibility on student AI use

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in college classrooms, University of Kansas professors are deciding how they want students to use the technology. According to KU’s AI Task Force, the university does not have an official policy that dictates how students can use AI in the classroom.

“There’s no policy on AI other than instructors have to create a policy for each class,” said Doug Ward, Associate Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. 

Instead, individual professors have the freedom to establish their own expectations. Those policies can range from allowing AI to brainstorm ideas or assist with creating work to having a zero-tolerance policy. 

The AI Task Force says the lack of one university-wide policy is intentional. 

“The reason there is no single policy is the University is trying to give faculty as much leeway as they need within their classes,” said Ward.

KU provides https://ai.ku.edu/ as a resource for students and staff looking for guidance on using AI appropriately. Faculty and staff can also reach out to the AI Task Force for help incorporating AI into their classrooms.

With different professors setting their own expectations, students need to know what is allowed in each class before using AI. Policies can vary from one classroom to another, making it important for students to understand their professor’s guidelines. 

As AI continues to become more common, universities are working to keep up with the technology while making sure students are still completing their own work.