April Newsletter

Exceptional Undergraduate Learning

April 2025

Explainer: AI Disclosures

A simple statement about AI use can open an important conversation about technology and academic integrity

hile AI tools are ubiquitous —from autocorrect features in word processors to recommendation systems in software—ambiguity still remains around what constitutes acceptable AI use in academic contexts. For instance, a student might unknowingly rely on AI when an email or document auto-completes a sentence. This grey area complicates the definition of academic integrity and emphasizes the need for clear communication between instructors and students on AI and its place in the classroom. One effective strategy emerging from this shift is the use of AI disclosure statements. These statements encourage students to disclose whether or not they have used AI in completing their assignments and to outline the extent to which it was used, including grammar checking, brainstorming, or generating content.

By setting this expectation, instructors not only foster transparency, but also start a critical conversation about AI’s place in academic work. “The all-or-nothing approach to AI is hard to enforce because AI is already integrated into many of the tools we use every day,” says Alison Bailey, Educational Developer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning. “It’s not about banning it, but about helping students and instructors recognize its presence and use in academic work.” Ultimately, AI disclosure statements help foster an open dialogue where students and instructors can explore its use together. This approach ensures that everyone can navigate the complexities of AI with transparency and shared understanding.

Example AI Disclosure

AI Can Help You, Too! On May 12, the Centre for Teaching and Learning presents AI Prompts for Course Design. Explore how AI tools can make the course design process more efficient and enhance course outcomes, assessments, content, teaching strategies, and overall alignment.