POLICY: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

1. St Monica’s Diocesan School recognises the potential benefits of incorporating AI tools in the classroom environment. AI tools are powerful aids in academic work, but they have limitations that must be understood to use effectively and responsibly. These tools are not developed to provide users with creative output and often cannot process complex subject matter. AI lacks human judgement and relies heavily on input data and may inadvertently perpetuate biases. While AI can assist, it cannot replicate the nuanced guidance of a human instructor and cannot be used as a replacement for personal effort and critical thinking. 2. This policy has been adopted to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI tools at St Monica’s Diocesan School. 3. Permitted Use: 3.1. AI tools are permitted in this school to enhance learning and supplement learners' understanding of course material. 3.2. Learners are encouraged to explore various AI tools with the understanding that the responsibility for their appropriate use lies with the learners. 3.3. AI tools should be used in accordance with the assignment guidelines for specific projects or tasks. 4. Guidelines for responsible use: 4.1. AI as support, not replacement: AI tools should augment the learning process, not replace original thinking. While these tools can support idea generation, fact- checking, or language revision, they must not substitute the individual's critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and thought process. Learners should consider AI a tool for enhancement and refinement, but the essence of the work must come from their intellectual effort. This ensures that the final work retains originality and reflects the learner's perspective and understanding. See Addendum A for ideas on the use of AI to assist teaching and learning. 4.2. Ownership of work: with the above understanding, learners should maintain ownership of their work by actively engaging with the material, independently formulating ideas, and using AI tools to support their learning process.   5. Academic Integrity: 5.1. Plagiarism: learners must not use AI tools to generate or modify content with the intention of evading plagiarism detection. All sources, including AI tools, must be properly cited within the text and included in the bibliography. 5.2. Authenticity: learners should use AI tools to augment their understanding and generate ideas, while ensuring that the final work reflects their own analysis, synthesis, and originality. AI/guiding.principals.policy.groberts/7.2024 5.3. Critical evaluation: learners must critically evaluate the output of AI tools, considering potential biases and limitations, and corroborate information obtained from AI tools with other credible sources. 5.4. Proper citation: direct quotes or paraphrased content generated by AI tools should be treated as any other source and attributed correctly. 5.5. Proper acknowledgement: Learners must acknowledge the use of AI in any work they submit for class. Learners must indicate how they have used AI at the end of the assignment. 5.6. Learners may be required to complete a “Declaration of Academic Integrity”, attesting to their responsible use of any AI tools (see Addendum B). 6. Teachers: St Monica’s Diocesan School 6.1. The teacher is available to provide guidance, clarification, and support to learners regarding the appropriate use of AI tools in their subject. 6.2. Teachers should use AI tools to generate possible responses to assignments to be aware of how learners may use them. 6.3. Teachers should employ processes that engage with the use of AI in class and in the completion of assignments. This includes process work, identification of dishonest use of AI. Teachers may include checkpoints for reviewing outlines or drafts, providing opportunities for learners to defend their work orally or in writing, emphasising their individual voice and perspective. 6.4. Teachers should include AI usage guidelines and instructions in their assignments if they differ from this policy. 7. By adhering to this policy, learners will benefit from the responsible and ethical use of AI tools, promoting academic integrity, critical thinking, and enhanced learning outcomes. 8. Any infringements of the policy may be considered a breach of the Serious Misconduct rules as published in the Code of Conduct (learners). Adopted by the Board of Governors (2024): Published for staff, parents and learners.       Addendum A: Suggested uses for AI 1. Brainstorming and idea generation: Learners can use AI tools to generate ideas, prompts, or potential research topics. For example, they can use AI-powered chatbots or text-generation tools to explore different angles or perspectives related to their assignments. However, they should ensure the final work reflects their analysis and synthesis of the generated ideas. 2. Language enhancement and revision: AI tools can improve clarity, grammar, and written work style. Learners can utilise AI-powered writing assistants or proofreading tools to identify errors, suggest edits, or provide alternative phrasing. However, learners must review and incorporate these suggestions to align with their voices and maintain their original work's integrity. This might be done using a tool such as Grammarly. 3. Fact-checking and information gathering: AI tools can assist learners in finding relevant information, verifying facts, or identifying credible sources. Learners can use AI-powered search engines or data analytics tools to gather supporting evidence or explore different perspectives. It is essential that learners critically evaluate and corroborate the information obtained from AI tools before incorporating it into their assignments while also providing appropriate citations. 4. Language translation and communication support: AI tools can aid learners who are non-native speakers or need assistance in language translation. Learners can use AI translation tools to enhance their understanding of academic texts or to communicate their ideas more effectively. However, they should ensure that they fully comprehend the translated content and make necessary adjustments to align with the requirements of their assignments. 5. Data analysis and visualisation: In research-focused courses, learners might employ AI tools to analyse and visualise complex datasets. Learners can use AI- powered data analysis tools or visualisation software to gain insights from data and present their findings. It is crucial that learners understand the underlying principles of data analysis and interpretation and can explain the results derived from AI tools in their own words. 6. In all these examples, responsible use of AI tools involves using them as aids or tools to enhance the learner's work rather than relying on them as a substitute for critical thinking or originality. Learners should exercise judgement, critically evaluate the output of AI tools, and take ownership of their final work by incorporating their analysis, ideas, and interpretations. Addendum B: Declaration of Academic Integrity This declaration serves as a reminder of your responsibilities and outlines the expectations for maintaining academic integrity: Accuracy and Representation: 1. Ensure all information you present is accurate and based on credible sources. 2. Avoid relying on personal opinions or anecdotes as evidence; instead, use reliable academic references, official data, and well-respected news sources. 3. When discussing specific cultural activities, approach them with sensitivity and respect. Avoid making generalisations or perpetuating stereotypes. Proper Citation and Originality: 4. Acknowledge all sources you use through proper citation practices according to the specified style guide 5. Plagiarism, in any form, is strictly prohibited. This includes copying text directly from sources (like a Generative AI) without quotation marks or proper citation, paraphrasing without attribution, or presenting someone else's work as your own. 6. Ensure all ideas and analyses presented in your essay are your own original work, even when influenced by other sources. This is an essay and your ability to express yourself is being assessed - if your essay is not in your own words you will be penalised. Your writing throughout the year will be used as a comparison (especially in test conditions) and a penalty may be instituted retroactively. 7. You were instructed to collaborate with other learners in the preparation of this essay. Please indicate below the names of the learners who made editing or significant content contributions to your essay. Collaborators: 8. Violations of academic integrity are taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action 9. By upholding these principles of academic integrity, you contribute to a learning environment built on trust, respect, and intellectual honesty. Declaration: 10. By signing in the space provided below I hereby agree to abide by the principles outlines above in all work I do in all subjects at St Monica’s Diocesan School, Matatiele. Name: Signature: Date: