University of Tartu calls for responsible use of artificial intelligence for teaching and studies

Both students and academic staff are expected to follow the guidelines for using artificial intelligence applications for teaching and studies, which compile the University of Tartu's views on artificial intelligence (AI). The recently updated guidelines provide suggestions on how to apply AI in teaching and learning, including in thesis writing, and how to refer to it correctly. As the practices and restrictions on the use of AI may vary between faculties, each structural unit of the University of Tartu may supplement the guidelines based on the specificity of its field. 

Although the University of Tartu encourages the use of AI, it calls for recognition and awareness of the three fundamental principles: critical thinking, transparency and ethics. In September of the current academic year, the working group on chatbots reviewed the university's guidelines for the use of chatbots and updated them based on feedback from the university’s members. 

No fundamental substantive changes have been made to the guidelines, however, these now include:

• revised and detailed recommendations for referencing AI, including an example of referencing generated images;
• the university's position that the use of AI detection software is not recommended;
• streamlined terminology use;
• improved structure for presenting information.

The guidelines for using AI applications for teaching and studies is an initial agreement that may change as technology evolves and perceptions change, and may be affected by, among other things, national data protection restrictions. The guidelines can be found also under “Regulations and documents” on the Studies page of the UT website.  

On 15–18 October, you can also take part in the inspiration week on AI in higher education titled “A global and interdisciplinary perspective on using AI tools in university teaching and learning” organised by the University of Tartu's working group on chatbots.