Instructor AI Policy Guide

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How to write your AI course policy

This page provides resources for developing and communicating a course policy that clarifies the acceptable and unacceptable use of AI, as well as syllabus statement templates.

Every Course Needs an AI Policy

Whether you permit, guide, or restrict student use of generative AI technologies, you should communicate to students what is—and is not—allowed and why. Each instructor at the University of Arizona is responsible for setting their own course policies for the use of AI in their course.

Why You Need an AI Policy

How to Use this Resource

1. Decide to what extent students may use AI in your course: review the three policy options below to help inform your decision.
2. Copy and paste one of the syllabus templates and edit as necessary.
3. Add it to both your syllabus and the “Course AI Policy” page in your Start Here module.
4. Review the “Questions to Consider” and “Best Practices” sections to prepare for questions and discussion about AI use in your course.

Determining Your AI Policy Approach and Crafting a Syllabus Statement

Consider the extent to which students should use AI in your course. This section will guide you through different policy approaches and provide templates you can copy, paste, and edit for the student-facing AI policy in your syllabus.

Option 1: AI is Permitted 

If you choose this option, you are allowing students to use generative AI for any and all of their coursework, and may even be requiring it for some assignments. Be sure to indicate if and how students should acknowledge that use. 

Full use with human oversight

• Full Use of AI is Permitted and Human Oversight is Required: AI can be used and students are responsible for human oversight and evaluation of AI content
• Disclosing AI Use: AI use must be acknowledged per course expectations you’ve set 

Consider: 

• How will students disclose AI use?
• What are your pedagogical reasons for an open policy?

Option 2: AI is Sometimes Permitted

AI use is allowed as specified by the instructor 

If you choose this option, you are allowing AI for tasks such as for brainstorming, structuring, idea generation, and editing. You may also allow AI use for some assignments. Be sure to indicate if and how students should acknowledge that use. 

Limited use with human oversight

• Situational Use is Okay and Human Oversight is Required: AI can be used as specified by the instructor and students are responsible for human oversight and evaluation of AI content
• Disclosing AI Use: AI use must be acknowledged per assignment expectations you’ve set 

Consider: 

• Will you specify allowed uses generally or per assignment?
• How can students clarify with you what is permitted?
• AI tools and capabilities are changing quickly: how might you and your students learn from each other about what is — and is not — ethical, possible, and helpful for learning.

Option 3: AI is Never Permitted

If you choose this option, you are requiring that students complete coursework entirely without generative AI assistance - including for tasks like brainstorming, editing, and similar uses. If you decide to disallow “AI,” please know that AI is embedded in many of our daily online activities, including things like spell check, Google summaries, and many assistive technologies, like closed captioning - so you need to be clear about what you mean by “AI” and the boundaries that you are setting.  

No AI use allowed

• Assignments completed entirely without AI assistance
• Suspected violations addressed per Code of Academic Integrity

Consider: 

• How can you revise assignments to discourage misuse? 
• What are your pedagogical reasons for disallowing AI in your course?
• Be specific about what tools are or are not allowed (Grammarly, research tools, etc.)

Note: AI detection software is not reliable and can lead to false accusations.

Questions to Consider

Regardless of your chosen course AI policy:

• Have you created opportunities for students to ask questions and have discussions about AI and its use in your course?
• How will you explain policy benefits for student learning, personal, and professional development?
• Will you need to adjust instructions, assignments, or assessments?
• What specific information should students provide when acknowledging AI use, and how much detail is required?
• How will you handle course AI policy violations? We recommend a tiered approach that begins with a direct conversation with the student. 

Best Practices for Communication and Implementation

Please note that AI detection software is not recommended. These tools are unreliable and biased, which can result in false accusations, erode student confidence, and undermine the effectiveness of a learning environment.

Communicate your AI policy early and often. Explain your AI policy in the syllabus, the start module in your Brightspace course site, and when giving assignment instructions. 

Make time for questions and discussion about AI and academic integrity, so that there is less chance for confusion and frustration. These technologies are changing quickly. Students and instructors can learn from each other about what is — and is not — ethical, possible, and helpful for learning.

Center your policy on learning. The AI uses you allow or prohibit should reflect the kinds of thinking students need to do for themselves to achieve learning goals.

Be transparent about your own use of generative AI. Acknowledge when and how you use it; welcome dialogue; consider different points of view; be curious and skeptical.

Have a plan to address suspected policy violations. Act promptly when violations occur or are suspected.

Approach violations as learning opportunities. Many issues can be addressed through conversation with the student(s). Give students notice if you intend to report a violation and document your conversations.

Be clear and compassionate. Clearly explain the questionable behavior while maintaining a supportive approach.

If you have questions or concerns about academic integrity related to AI in your course, you can find information and resources at the Dean of Students Academic Integrity Resources for Faculty.