ScAITEN statement of principles on GenAI

Image of principles in the shape of a circle: human-centred, agency, trust, ethical, equitable, environmentally responsible, transparency, openness, collaboration

Scottish Tertiary Education statement of principles on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in learning and teaching

From 2023 to 2026, SCAITEN developed a high-level statement on use of generative AI in tertiary education, through extensive stakeholder consultation. The statement outlines an ethical, enhancement-led, and responsible approach to generative AI for the Scottish sector. It is structured around nine principles, each accompanied by related actions and aspirations. It serves as a foundation for institutions to guide discussions with students and staff, and to align with new or existing institutional guidance and position statements.

The Statement was intentionally written and openly licensed under Creative Commons as a living document, allowing it to evolve over time and be adapted for different contexts or areas of activity.

As a living document, it is intended to be regularly reviewed to reflect the evolving environment. It is intended that future versions may include or be repurposed for research, and relevant stakeholders are being liaised with to this end.

ScAITEN Scottish Tertiary Education statement on GenAI_v2.0 (25th June 2025).docx

In June 2025 it was formally endorsed by Universities Scotland Learning and Teaching Committee (this is the 'current version' provided below).

Current version: ScAITEN Principles on use of GenAI in Learning and Teaching

v2.0 (25th June 2025) Endorsed by Universities Scotland Learning and Teaching committee (on behalf of all universities in Scotland)

Previous versions

v2.0 (11th June 2025) Presented at OER25

Signatories

In addition to seeking endorsement by Universities Scotland Learning and Teaching Committee, individual institutions were invited to review and adopt the ScAITEN Principles directly. Most did this through discussion and approval at their institutional learning and learning committee. The following institutions have endorsed the ScAITEN Principles in this way.

Abertay University
Edinburgh Napier University
The Glasgow School of Art
Heriot-Watt University
Queen Margaret University
Robert Gordon University
SRUC Scotland's Rural College
University of Aberdeen
University of Dundee

Adaptations

Universities Scotland: Scottish University Sector Principles

Expanding upon the learning and teaching focus of ScAITEN's original statement, ScAITEN worked with Universities Scotland Main Committee to create a version which covers all areas of activity for the sector. The adapted version will be available soon via the Univesities Scotland website and on the ScAITEN website.

British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Canada

The B.C. Post-Secondary AI Policy Working Group developed Draft V1 - Model Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence: An Informational Resource for the B.C. Post-Secondary System, drawing on existing resources within the post-secondary context. Quotes from the Scottish Tertiary Education statement on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) are included in an appendix to the document as a part of a compilation of AI-related principles, policy, and guidelines in the post-secondary context. Learn more at: B.C. Post-Secondary Digital Learning Strategy - Province of British Columbia.

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