Literacy and English Education PhD Program AI Use Policy

Given the rapid changes and widespread application of AI, the policy described here will not cover all scenarios. As such, this policy is intended as a guide related to conversations and emerging landscapes around AI use in education and research.

This policy, established for the literacy and English education PhD program, outlines expectations for graduate student use of generative AI in research and teaching. AI tools may include, but are not limited to, applications for idea generation, writing and writing assistance, editing, literature review, data analysis and coding, and image generation. Please consult with your faculty advisor and faculty course instructors for the specific policies.

• Students must obtain and document prior approval from course instructors before using AI in course papers or assignments.
• Students must obtain their supervisor(s) and/or supervisory committee’s prior approval before using generative AI in a proposal, dissertation or other culminating experience.
• Graduate students must disclose any use of AI tools in work submitted to satisfy degree requirements (e.g., course papers and assignments, proposals, dissertation chapters). The disclosure should identify the AI tools used, their purpose and the extent of human oversight and editing.
• Failure to disclose the use of AI may constitute academic dishonesty under the UB Academic Integrity Policy.

• Graduate students must disclose AI use in all research publications, including working papers and research unrelated to degree requirements, regardless of whether the publication venue requires disclosure.
• The disclosure should identify the AI tools used, their purpose, and the extent of human oversight and editing.
• Graduate students should consult AI policies developed by their disciplinary research organizations and research publishing venues if policies are available.

• Graduate students must disclose AI use to all research collaborators.
• At the outset of the collaboration, an agreement specifying permitted AI use should be identified. It is preferred that this agreement be written.
• Approval for AI use in one aspect of a project does not imply approval for other aspects, and key areas of AI uses should be individually specified.

• Graduate student instructors must include an AI policy in their course syllabus.
• They should design assessments with AI use in mind, monitor for inappropriate AI use, and address suspected violations according to course and university policies.
• Faculty mentors should be consulted as needed.
• Graduate student instructors may not upload student work containing FERPA-protected information into AI tools.

Generative AI is a rapidly evolving area. Please consult with your advisor and faculty instructors.