Module 7 · Lesson 7.1

Understanding School and University AI Policies

3 min read · Updated

Schools and universities have moved fast on AI, and not in the same direction. One course bans it outright. The next requires you to use it. A third allows it for brainstorming but not writing. The rule that applies to you is almost always set at the course level, by your teacher, so it can change from one class to the next.

This lesson helps you find and understand the rule before you start, which is the only way to use AI at school without risk.

The common types of policy

Policy type What it usually means What you can do
No AI Any use of AI tools for the assignment counts as misconduct Write it yourself. Don't use this course's drafting methods here.
AI for specific tasks Allowed for things like brainstorming, outlines or grammar checks, not for drafting Use it only for the listed tasks, and keep a record
AI with disclosure Allowed, but you must say how you used it, sometimes with your prompts attached Use it, then disclose. See lesson 7.4
AI encouraged Using AI is part of the assignment Use it well, and show your thinking and edits

Where to find the rule

  1. The assignment brief. The most specific rule wins, and it's often here.
  2. The course syllabus or course page. Many teachers now include an AI section.
  3. The department or school policy. This sets the default when the course says nothing.
  4. The academic integrity or honor code. This tells you what happens if something goes wrong.

If you can't find anything, don't assume it's allowed. Ask.

The gray areas

Many students get into trouble over uses they didn't think of as "using AI". Check these specifically:

  • Grammar and rewriting tools. Fixing a comma is one thing. A tool that rewrites whole sentences may count as AI writing under your policy.
  • Translation. Writing in your first language and translating with AI may or may not be allowed.
  • Summaries of readings. Using AI to summarize a source you were meant to read can break a rule even if you write the essay yourself.
  • Feedback on a draft. Asking AI "what's weak about this paragraph?" is often allowed, but not everywhere.
  • Citations. AI tools sometimes invent sources. Citing a source that doesn't exist is treated seriously, whatever the reason.

How to ask your teacher

A short, specific question gets a useful answer. For example:

For the research essay, would it be OK to use an AI tool to help me brainstorm topics and check my grammar, if I write all the paragraphs myself? If so, should I mention it in the essay?

Save the reply. If anything is questioned later, you'll have it in writing.

This course teaches you to write well with AI and to sound like yourself. It isn't meant to help you hide AI use where it's not allowed. If a course bans AI, the editing skills in this course still help you. Use them on your own drafts.

Protect yourself either way

Whatever the policy, write in a tool with version history and keep your notes. Detectors can misjudge human writing, and if that happens, your process is your evidence. Lesson 6.3 covers what to do if you're falsely flagged.

Try this

For each course you're taking this term, find the AI rule and write it in one line in a note: "History: no AI. Biology: AI for brainstorming, disclose." If any course has no rule you can find, send the question above to your teacher this week.