Skip to Main Content

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Home

This guide will help you use AI ethically as a tool in your work.

Warning

Director of Library Services

What is Generative Artificial Intelligence?

We use AI every day—often without realizing it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. Google, Siri, search engines, self-driving cars, and virtual assistants are examples of AI.

Recently, a new form of AI, called generative AI, was released.  Generative AI can take raw data and make something new out it.  Popular examples include ChatGPT for text and Midjourney for images. Used wisely, AI can help students brainstorm topics, highlight key ideas, test critical thinking, and improve accessibility.

The key is to treat AI as a tool—not to submit its output as your own work.

Can I use AI in my coursework?

"Students must cite any generative AI tools/products/software/websites/etc. used in the creation of the work."
– Shorter University Academic Integrity Policy –

  • If you are unsure using an AI-based tool is an academic integrity violation, please talk to your course instructor. Every instructor will have different expectations about AI-based tools in their classroom, so it is your responsibility to double check if you are at all unsure to make sure you are not committing an academic integrity violation.
  • If you have questions about information literacy or citations, please contact a Shorter University librarian. We can set up a video chat or assist over email.
  • If you have questions about how AI tools work, or the ethics of AI, check out the "learn more" links on the bottom of the pages in this module for additional resources and articles to explore.

Acknowledgements

This guide was developed with the help of the following sources: