Acknowledging the use of AI

As AI becomes more integrated with our academic lives, you may have assessments that allow or require you to use it. In these cases, it is important to acknowledge the contribution of AI appropriately. AI differs from many other academic sources, as there is no specific author and it is usually not able to be reproduced or recovered. Further, AI can be used as more than just a source of information. You may use it to brainstorm ideas, or refine your writing. In cases like this, a citation would not be appropriate.

Whenever you are allowed or required to use AI in an assessment, you must also:

  • Follow all instructions and restrictions on its use;
  • Clearly document the type of AI used and how it contributed to the assessment;
  • Provide written acknowledgment of the use of AI and its extent; and
  • When necessary, cite and reference using the closest source types in the style being used (e.g., non-recoverable sources).

Acknowledging the use of AI

For each assessment, your Chief Examiner should explain how to acknowledge AI use. This will usually be a specific section of the assessment where you explain what tools you used, why you selected those particular tools, and describe how the tool was used and the output adapted. This will usually be in a written form, or may require screenshots or a video recording. Acknowledgement sections may also include reflection tasks where you reflect on how the use of AI contributed to your learning.

If you are unclear about how AI may be used in an assessment or how to acknowledge AI use as required in your assessment instructions, it is important to contact your Chief Examiner for clarification.

An example of what an acknowledgement section could look like:

Part B: Concise summary of AI use in the assessment.

Very briefly explain the ways that you have used AI in the production of this assessment.

  • Explain which AI tools you have used and for what purposes. Describe what output from the tool/service has been included, and where.
  • If you have found and used tools on your own, explain why these tools were selected and provide a URL link to the tool.
  • Note the number of iterations undertaken with each main AI collaborative tool.
  • Summarise how you have altered, adopted, or built on the AI output.

In addition to using this summary to provide an overview of how AI has been used, it is strongly recommended that you also carefully document the processes undertaken in creating the assessment and to be able to present this process evidence upon request from educators or administrators.

A suggested format:

I used [add AI tool (add link if needed)] to [add how used] and [add number of iterations/drafts]. I modified the outputs in [add ways].

I used AI in the following ways:

(i) generate ideas or structure suggestions, for assistance with understanding core concepts, or other substantial foundational and preparatory activity for the assessment.

I used Consensus (https://consensus.app/search/) and Scite (https://scite.ai/) to find relevant academic literature and ExplainPaper(https://www.explainpaper.com/dashboard) to help understand the arguments in the sources. I used GoodAI to create an outline (2 iterations)

(ii) generate text, rewrite, rephrase and/or paraphrase a portion of this assessment.

I used Microsoft Word with copilot assisting to prepare the essay drafts (4 iterations). I used GoodAI to help revise the introduction (3 iterations) and then ChatGPT3.5 (2 iterations) to make the introduction sound more academic. I further edited the introduction adding appropriate citations.

(iii) generate some other aspect of the submitted assessment. 

I tried Microsoft Excel with copilot assisting to make the graphs but found GraphMaker (https://www.graphmaker.ai/) to produce better results for creating the graphs used as evidence in the essay. I used ChatGPT3.5 to change the bibliographic references into notes form for use in the footnotes.

Legend: [1] AI system(s); [2] link to the tool; [3] how the tool was used or prompts included; [4] edits and changes made to the output.

I acknowledge the use of [1] ChatGPT[2](https://chat.openai.com/) to [3] generate materials that were [3] included within my final assessment in modified form. I entered the following prompts on 4 January 2023:
  • [3] Write a 50 word summary about the formation of Monash University. Write it in an academic style. Add references and quotations from Sir John Monash.

Legend: [1] AI system(s); [2] link to the tool; [3] how the tool was used or prompts included; [4] edits and changes made to the output.

I acknowledge the use of [1] ChatGPT [2] (https://chat.openai.com/) [3] to refine the academic language and accuracy of my own work. On 4 January 2023 I submitted my entire essay (link to google document here) with the instruction to  “Improve the academic tone and accuracy of language, including grammatical structures, punctuation and vocabulary”. [4] The output (here) was then modified further to better represent my own tone and style of writing.

Legend: [1] AI system(s); [2] link to the tool; [3] how the tool was used or prompts included; [4] edits and changes made to the output.

If AI was permitted to be used in your assessment, but you have chosen not to use it, the following disclosure is recommended.

No content generated by AI technologies has been used in this assessment.

Documenting AI use

You should be able to provide evidence how you used AI in your writing process if requested. This may be required as part of your assessment instructions, but regardless, you are strongly encouraged to develop the habit of documenting your work as you may be required to provide this evidence if requested.

This can include taking screenshots of different stages of collaborative AI use, keeping copies of prompts and outputs used, and keeping copies of drafts used in the preparation of assignments, as well as notes on how prompts were integrated and adapted. One recommendation is to colour-code or annotate drafts to show sections where AI has been included or adapted alongside your own writing.

In-text citations and reference lists

In certain circumstances, in addition to a declaration, you may also be required to cite and reference material generated by AI as you would any other source in your assessment. Check your assessment details to see whether an additional citation and reference of the generated material is necessary.

The majority of citing and referencing styles supported at Monash have published guidelines on how to cite and reference artificial intelligence technology sources. Use the Library style guides for the most up to date instructions from the style manuals. As AI tools and the rules around using them are evolving quickly, always check with your lecturer for guidance on how to cite AI in your work.

Remember to check if non-recoverable sources need to be included in the reference list.

The following are examples from the MLA and APA styles:

Prompt: Was Sir John Monash a good man?

“Sir John Monash is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest military leaders and is also considered a respected engineer and administrator. His contributions to the military and to society as a whole have been praised by many, so it can be said that he was a good man. However, as with any historical figure, opinions may vary…..” (OpenAI, 2023)

Reference

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Jan 9 version) [Large language model] http://chat.openai.com/chat

Prompt: Was Sir John Monash a good man?

“Sir John Monash is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest military leaders and is also considered a respected engineer and administrator. His contributions to the military and to society as a whole have been praised by many, so it can be said that he was a good man. However, as with any historical figure, opinions may vary…..” (“Was Sir John”)

Reference

“Was Sir John Monash a good man?” prompt. ChatGPT, 9 Jan. version, OpenAI, 24 Jan. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat


Library guide: Citing and referencing generative AI

Further advice around how to format citations and references in different styles for material generated by AI can be found in the Library’s Guide to Citing and Referencing.

Note

  • Please be advised that the use of AI carries risks due to the uploading of personal and private data. See our introduction to AI resource for more information.
  • Remember to check if AI can be used in your assessments, in the way you are using it.

Taking it further