MMDC's Position on the Use of AI Tools

Overview
 

This article explains MMDC’s official policy regarding the use of AI tools in coursework and learning. It clarifies what tools are permitted, how students should disclose AI-generated content, and the ethical standards expected. Use this guide to understand what constitutes acceptable use — and to avoid academic integrity issues.

Generative AI Policy for MMDC: 

At MMDC, we recognize the significant potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a productivity tool, particularly in the realm of written outputs. This policy outlines our stance on the careful and transparent use of generative AI within our college community, emphasizing its positive role as an aid to enhance learning and academic growth. 

1. Importance of Generative AI in College: 

Generative AI is poised to become an essential tool for the future, providing opportunities for increased efficiency and innovation. While its application in grade school and high school environments may present some difficult decisions, at the college level, we encourage students to embrace and learn how to utilize generative AI as part of their educational journey. 

2. Responsible Use of Generative AI: 

Students are expected to exercise caution when using generative AI, ensuring it serves as an assistance tool rather than a means to bypass thinking. Brief and thoughtless prompts that merely task generative AI with completing college work on behalf of the student won’t help students learn and won’t help students succeed when they graduate from college. Further, these types of outputs will be detectable in their general and generic nature. They will lack specificity - and professors will spot this and not accept this work. Instead, students should provide long and detailed prompts that reflect their own thought processes. Good use of generative AI requires telling it, in detail, what you want it to write. This approach encourages students to engage with generative AI in a manner that promotes personal growth and comprehension of the subject matter. 

3. Iteration and Editing: 

When utilizing generative AI, it is crucial to recognize that the output it generates should be treated as an iterative process. The initial output from the AI system should be carefully reviewed, refined, and iterated upon by the student. This is done by literally directing the generative AI to add, change, delete and edit what its prior versions. This iterative approach ensures that the final product reflects the student's own understanding, thoughts, goals and intentions. 

4. Enhancing Language Skills: 

Generative AI can be particularly beneficial for students who struggle with writing in English, as it can help improve grammar and syntax. It is important to remember that generative AI should not replace the student's effort to develop their language skills. It should serve as a support mechanism, providing suggestions and guidance, while the student actively engages in the learning process. 

For example, when a student plans to produce a written output that is approximately 2 pages and 7 paragraphs, they can type each paragraph into the prompt and simply direct the generative AI to correct the grammar and syntax. The generative AI will “clean up” the English, quite nicely. The student can then re-read what the generative AI produced, noting the difference between what she wrote and the AI wrote. Through this, the student can see how to produce more accurate sentences. A student should never just copy and paste what generative AI wrote, without reading it and being sure it reflects THEIR thoughts and ideas, simply written with better English. 

5. Disclosure of Generative AI Use: 

Students must indicate whether they have utilized generative AI to assist in their writing tasks when submitting assignments to professors. This disclosure is meant to foster a culture of transparency and open communication. It is important to note that indicating the use of generative AI will not be counted against students in the grading process. We value academic honesty and believe that acknowledging generative AI use can contribute to constructive feedback and support from professors. 

6. Limits of Generative AI in Dealing with Recency of Information: 

While generative AI holds great promise as a tool to aid students in their academic pursuits, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations, particularly concerning the recency of information. Generative AI systems are trained on vast amounts of data up until a specific cutoff date, which means they may not possess knowledge of events or developments that have occurred after their training data was last updated. This limitation implies that generative AI might not accurately reflect the most recent information, emerging trends, or current events. Therefore, it is crucial for students to exercise caution when relying solely on generative AI outputs as a source of up-to-date and accurate information. To address this limitation, we encourage students to complement generative AI with additional research and verification methods, ensuring the inclusion of the latest information relevant to their academic work. 

MMDC aims to create an environment where generative AI is harnessed responsibly, fostering academic growth and empowering students to develop critical thinking skills. We trust that our students will embrace the potential of generative AI while upholding the principles of integrity, transparency, and personal growth in their academic pursuits. 

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This policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated as technology advances and new considerations arise. Version 001. August 16, 2023