Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) guidance for graduate students and supervisors

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) uses algorithms and large language models (LLMs) or other methods to generate text, images, music, or code that resembles the work of a human. GenAI can be a useful learning tool in graduate research and writing, when used to help develop thoughts and ideas on thesis topics and data analysis, as well as drafting, generating, debugging, and documenting code. GenAI can also help with accessibility by supporting students with disabilities through assistive writing tools. 

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that technological modernizations often produce innovations in teaching and learning, and the developments of GenAI are no exception. However, these technological advances have also raised concerns and have important implications for our practices in graduate studies which include graduate coursework, comprehensive examinations, preparation of research proposals, scholarship or bursary applications, PhD thesis, publications, and completion of other milestones. 

Guidance for graduate students and supervisors

  • Academic and professional integrity are critical elements of student and professional conduct. Always check that the use of GenAI is allowed. 

  • For course assignments, some course instructors will allow and encourage students to use GenAI within a set of parameters they provide in the syllabus or assignment instructions. Some instructors prohibit the use of GenAI for course assignments. Without explicit permission or instruction from the course instructor, students should never submit work produced by any of the GenAI tools. 

  • For research, graduate students should consult with their supervisor(s) and advisory committee (if one exists) about the limit and scope of the use of GenAI tools, which is often discipline-dependent. Permitted uses and expectations for using GenAI tools should be communicated between the students and their supervisor(s). 

  • Students are accountable for the content and accuracy of all work they submit in courses and any milestones (e.g. comprehensive examination, research proposal, research essay, master/PhD thesis), including any supported by GenAI tools. As an author, students own what they write and are responsible for its accuracy and integrity. If students are using GenAI tools for written materials, they must have confidence in what they submit as their own. Honest error or lack of intentionality is not a defence in potential academic misconduct. 

  • Students must be able to interpret and explain any materials generated by the GenAI tools. They must be able to defend the contents of their thesis during the oral examinations (if one exists). 

Limitations

GenAI tools “learn” through access to information curated by researchers, developers, and ongoing input from its users – which may contain errors, misconceptions, or bias.  It does not create new information or knowledge, but it summarizes, synthesizes, and re-words existing information. The Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic, has published statements for consideration while using GenAI, summarized below: 

  • Ethics and bias: Generative AI is known to falsify references to other work and may fabricate facts and inaccurately express ideas. GenAI generates content based on the input of other human authors and may therefore contain inaccuracies or exhibit algorithmic bias. 

  • Copyright: Users should be aware that the legal/copyright status of GenAI inputs and outputs is unclear. Exercise caution when using large portions of content from AI sources, especially images. More information is available from the University of Waterloo’s Copyright Advisory Committee. The Library’s copyright guidance on GenAI encourages caution with GenAI use. 

  • Privacy & Security: Users should be aware of and comfortable with the privacy permissions they are giving platforms to collect, use, or learn from their data and content when inputting their own data into programs like ChatGPT. 

  • Publishing: These guidelines on GenAI tools are not necessarily reflective of the guidelines at other organizations or institutions. Additionally, when publishing, it is important to review each journal’s publication rules and guidelines to know what is considered appropriate use of GenAI. 

Resources

The GenAI landscape is rapidly evolving, and the University of Waterloo remains committed to regularly updating its resources to stay aligned with these changes. Below is a collection of institutional resources to support your understanding of GenAI.  

A non-Waterloo specific resource: Navigating AI in Teaching and Learning – U15 Canada – September 2024 

This document aims to provide guidance for institutions as they navigate the integration of generative AI tools. The guidance focuses on the implications for education as a first priority area. As members of U15 Canada, a network of research-intensive universities in Canada, we are committed to aligning within an ethical framework that builds and maintains trust in support of adopting and applying these tools. This will guide the development of emerging practices that support our shared values. Given the pace of change in this area, this document must be evergreen, ensuring it remains relevant in this rapidly evolving field. 

For questions regarding GenAI as a graduate student, please contact Ashley Ryan, Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist.  

For questions regarding GenAI as a supervisor, please contact Justin Wan, Interim Co-Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.