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Let’s imagine you’ve been assigned an essay on "The impact of technology on education." You’re excited to dive in, knowing that there are AI tools at your disposal to help you write an outstanding paper. However, it’s crucial to understand that while these tools are powerful, misusing them can lead to serious academic consequences, such as plagiarism, copyright infringement, and unethical behaviour.
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It’s essential to evaluate information carefully before using it. Librarians are here to guide you in critically assessing information, distinguishing between credible sources and fake news, and locating high-quality resources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, to support your research.
Scenario: You’ve used OpenAI’s GPT-4 to generate several paragraphs on how technology enhances learning in classrooms. The text is well-written, and you’re tempted to copy and paste it directly into your essay without making any changes or giving credit.
Why It’s Wrong: Plagiarism occurs when you present someone else’s work as your own. Even though the content is generated by an AI, it’s not your original writing. Submitting this text without proper citation is just as unethical as copying from a book or website. This could result in serious academic penalties, including failing the assignment or facing disciplinary action.
Example: Imagine you submit your essay with GPT-4 generated text on the role of smartboards in classrooms. If your professor uses plagiarism detection software, it might flag your paper for closely resembling other AI-generated content available online. This could lead to accusations of academic dishonesty, damaging your reputation and credibility.
Scenario: You use Bing AI to create a stunning image of a futuristic classroom for your essay. The image perfectly complements your argument, but you’re unaware of the legal implications of using AI-generated content.
Why It’s Wrong: AI tools like Bing AI might generate images based on datasets that include copyrighted materials. If you use these images in your essay or presentation without understanding the copyright status, you could unintentionally infringe on someone else’s intellectual property rights. This is especially important if your work is published or shared publicly.
Example: Suppose you include an AI-generated image of a smart classroom in your essay and then submit the essay to a competition or upload it online. If the image was derived from copyrighted material, you might receive a takedown notice or even face legal action from the original copyright holder. This situation could have been avoided by ensuring that the images you use are either licensed for reuse or created entirely from scratch without infringing on existing works.
Scenario: You decide to use AI tools to create a fake quote from a well-known educator to strengthen your argument. You input a prompt into GPT-4, generating a convincing quote that supports your thesis. The problem? The educator never said it.
Why It’s Wrong: Fabricating information or manipulating content to mislead others is not only unethical but also damages the integrity of your work. Academic honesty requires that you present accurate and truthful information. Misleading your readers with false data or quotes can have serious repercussions, including academic penalties and a loss of trust.
Example: Imagine you fabricate a quote from a respected education expert, stating, "Smartboards are the single greatest advancement in modern education." This quote supports your argument, but when your professor checks the source, they discover the quote doesn’t exist. Not only does this discredit your essay, but it also raises questions about your honesty and academic integrity.
The library can guide you in applying best practices for the ethical use of information and teach you how to avoid plagiarism through proper citation and research techniques.
Watch this short video on using AI responsibly. Click on the image,
