Responsible & Ethical Use

• Protect personal information. Never input personally identifiable information (PII) about yourself or your students, regardless of the AI tool or how you're using it.

• Use AI for what it does best. Generative AI is most effective for language tasks like brainstorming, drafting, editing, and explaining ideas. Think of it as a thought partner that helps you get started or distill complex information.

• Understand its limits. AI is not reliable for research or fact-finding—it can generate inaccurate or entirely false information (a phenomenon known as "hallucination").

• Weigh the trade-offs. Using AI might save you time but could cost you creativity, nuance, or authenticity. A fast summary may lack depth, and an efficient draft might miss your personal voice.

• Be precise and proactive. Always double-check AI-generated content for accuracy. Improve your results by refining your prompts and giving feedback to guide better responses.

• Anchor it with trustworthy sources. When asking for information, include reputable sources in your prompt. This can help guide the AI toward more accurate content—but always verify the output yourself.

• Request citations—and verify them. If you're using AI to support research, ask for citations. Then confirm they are real, credible, and relevant before relying on them.

1. Treat AI Like a Helper, Not a Shortcut.

• Use AI to brainstorm ideas, get feedback, or practice skills.

• Do not copy and paste AI-generated work and submit it as your own.

2. Always Do Your Own Thinking First.

• Try solving the problem, answering the question, or drafting your idea before using AI.

• AI should support your work, not replace your thinking.

3. Give Credit When AI Helps.

• If an assignment allows AI use, be honest about how you used it (for example: “I used AI to help brainstorm ideas for my outline”).

• Follow your school’s rules about citing AI sources if required.

4. Check and Revise AI Suggestions.

• AI is not always right! Review anything it gives you.

• Make sure it makes sense, matches your teacher’s expectations, and reflects your voice and understanding.

5. Know When AI Use is Allowed.

• Always ask or check the assignment directions to see if AI tools are allowed.

• Some assignments might require only your own original work without any AI help.

6. Avoid Using AI to Write Full Essays, Solve Tests, or Complete Major Projects.

• Submitting AI-written work as your own is a form of plagiarism and cheating.

• Your teachers want to see your learning and your growth.

7. Use AI to Learn, Not to Escape Learning.

• Good ways to use AI responsibly:

  • Practice quiz questions

  • Vocabulary building

  • Study summaries (to review, not copy)

  • Feedback on drafts (not writing the draft for you)

8. Respect Your Classmates and the Learning Process.

• When you cheat with AI, you not only hurt yourself but also take away from the fairness of the classroom.

• True learning takes effort—and that’s something AI can’t do for you.

9. Protect Your Privacy.

• Never share personal information (like your name, school, or home address) with AI tools.

• Stick to using AI through school-approved platforms whenever possible.

10. When in Doubt, Ask a Teacher.

• If you’re unsure whether it’s okay to use AI for an assignment, just ask! Your teacher can guide you on what is responsible and fair.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Version GPT-4o). Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.openai.com/chatgpt.