|
System-wide Policy: BT0035 – Policy on Artificial Intelligence | |
|
Version: 1 |
Effective Date: 02/28/2025 |
- AUTHORITY
Pursuant to Tennessee Public Chapter 550 (2024),* the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of The University of Tennessee (the “University”) is responsible for adopting a policy pertaining to the use of artificial intelligence technology by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. Additionally, the Board is responsible for approval of policies governing, among other things: (i) student conduct,** and (ii) the general welfare and success of students.*** - DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this policy, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Artificial Intelligence” or “AI” means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human- based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.****
“Campus” means The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UT Chattanooga), The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT Knoxville), The University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin), The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern), and any other campus that is or becomes a part of The University of Tennessee system. For purposes of this policy, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) and the University of Tennessee Space Institute are recognized as component units of the UT Knoxville campus.
“Faculty” or “Faculty Member” means any faculty member (regardless of rank or title) employed by the University engaged primarily in academic instruction, research, or service.
“Staff” or “Staff Member” means exempt and non-exempt staff members employed by the University not engaged primarily in academic instruction, research, or service, including but not limited to professional staff and executive/administrative staff.
“Student” or “Students” shall include person(s) enrolled or registered for study at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies, as well as non-degree and non-credit programs and courses to the extent they are so defined in a Campus’ student code of conduct or similar University rule (e.g., student rights and responsibilities), as applicable. - PURPOSE
The University’s mission is to serve “all Tennesseans and beyond through education, discovery and outreach that enables strong economic, social and environmental well-being.” Pursuant to the Be One UT values, the University strives to: (i) be bold and impactful, (ii) inspire creative and transformational action, and (iii) foster integrity through openness, accountability, and stewardship. Consistent with the University’s mission and core values, the Board recognizes that AI technologies will continue to evolve and that it is imperative for Students, Faculty, and Staff to have the opportunity to succeed and thrive in a world transformed by AI.
Through this policy, the Board aims to balance the innovative potential of AI with the need to uphold academic integrity, protect sensitive information, and comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This policy is intended to provide a framework of broad systemwide expectations while maintaining the necessary flexibility for the Campuses to issue academic procedures, guidelines, and/or restrictions pertaining to the responsible and ethical use of AI for instructional and assignment purposes in a dynamic landscape. - SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
This policy applies systemwide to all Students, Faculty, and Staff with respect to the use of AI technology for instructional and assignment purposes in connection with all academic courses offered by the Campuses. - POLICY STATEMENT AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- The University embraces the use of AI as a powerful tool for the purpose of enhancing human learning, creativity, analysis, and innovation within the academic context.
- Each Faculty or Staff Member (to the extent responsible for the delivery of a course) shall consider whether, when, and how AI may be used, if at all, for instructional and assignment purposes associated with a course, including independent study, clinical, and/or research activities.
- Faculty/Staff Members responsible for the delivery of a course are expected to clearly communicate to Students the permitted use(s), if any, of AI technology in connection with a course and the extent to which AI technology and derived content may be used as part of a Student’s academic work.
- Students are responsible for adhering to the requirements set by Faculty/Staff Members with respect to the permitted use of AI technology in each of their courses. Students should be made aware that the use of AI technology may vary by course, discipline, and by Faculty/Staff Member. Students who are uncertain of the permitted use of AI technology are encouraged to seek further clarification from the respective Faculty/Staff Member.
- AI generated results may contain data, images, and other information protected under intellectual property or other ownership rights, including copyright. Authors shall be fully responsible for ensuring the allowed use of any AI generated data and information contained in their academic work.
- AI technology is to be used in accordance with: (i) academic and student codes of conduct/honor codes; (ii) any ethical and professional standards applicable to a particular course or program; (iii) academic standards pertaining to attribution and citations; (iv) University/Campus policies, procedures, and other guidelines; and (v) applicable laws, rules, or regulations.
VI. CAMPUS PROCEDURES
Each Campus shall establish academic procedures and guidance as may be necessary to provide transparency and clarity regarding the responsibilities of Students, Faculty, and Staff with respect to the appropriate use of AI technology for instructional and assignment purposes, which shall, at a minimum, address the following items:
- Course-related Communication. Communication of Faculty/Staff expectations regarding the permitted use of AI technology by Students for a course shall occur through at least one of the following modalities: (i) course syllabus; (ii) course materials; (iii) assignment instructions; (iv) research guidelines; (v) a learning management system (LMS); and/or (vi) other standard forms of course-related communications, including in-person and electronic methods of communication (online, email, etc.) provided to Students.
- Types of Permitted Use. Course-related communication shall address the context(s) in which a Student may employ AI technology with respect to a course and/or particular assignments. Three possible options include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Unrestricted Use – Students may use AI technology for any learning, creation, or analysis, without restriction.
- Mixed Use – Students may use AI technology for some learning, creation, or analysis, with specifics provided in a clear and timely manner.
- Total Prohibition – Students may not use AI technology for any learning, creation, or analysis.
In describing any limitations (or lack thereof) on the use of AI technology in course-related communications, Faculty/Staff shall consider, among other things, the following use cases:
- Learning – AI can provide definitions, facts, names, dates, or summaries of larger topics.
- Creating – AI can generate a text work (from a single word up to an entire long-form text), an image (from a simple still image up through an entire video), and possibly other creations.
- Analyzing – AI can examine patterns, gain insights, and make informed decisions of quantitative or qualitative data.
- Academic Integrity. Course-related communications pertaining to the use of AI technology shall: (i) affirm the importance of academic honesty; and (ii) inform Students that the unpermitted use of AI technology is a form of academic misconduct, which violations are subject to the Campus’ student code of conduct.
- AI Detection Tools. The Campus academic procedures and/or guidance shall provide Faculty/Staff with advice as to the acceptable use, if any, of AI detection tools for instructional and assignment purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstances shall the results of AI detection tools be the single measure for determining the academic performance of or misconduct by a Student.
Campus procedures may include more stringent requirements provided that such procedures do not conflict with or lower the requirements set forth in this policy.
Additionally, Campuses are encouraged to provide: (i) Faculty/Staff members with examples, templates, and/or standard language for course-related communication based on multiple types of AI use, which can be adopted for instructional and assignment purposes; and (ii) education and training concerning the potential benefits, risks, and responsibilities associated with the use of AI technology.
VII. AI TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES/DATA PROTECTION
The use of AI technology is subject to the University’s policies and procedures pertaining to information technology, including the University’s policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (IT0002).
As with the use of any type of information technology, Students, Faculty, and Staff must be cognizant of information security and data protection obligations (e.g., intellectual property rights, personally identifiable information, protected health information, contractual and other legal obligations, etc.) that may apply. Protected University Data shall not be entered into AI technology that has not been reviewed by the University’s Chief Information Officer (or designee) and authorized for use. The University shall maintain a list of approved AI technology resources available for use. Faculty, Staff, and Students are free to use any AI technology for instructional purposes so long as Protected University Data is not entered into such systems. “Protected University Data” shall have the meaning set forth in the University’s General Statement on Information Technology Policy (IT0001).
VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Success, in consultation with the appropriate subject matter experts, shall be responsible for providing advice and support to the Campuses with respect to the requirements of this policy. The Chancellor of each Campus shall be responsible for ensuring the establishment of the Campus procedures, guidelines, and/or other resources consistent with this policy.
IX. COMPLIANCE AND OVERSIGHT
The Office of Institutional Compliance shall be responsible for reviewing the Campuses’ procedures, guidelines, and other efforts to promote compliance with the provisions of this policy. The Office of Institutional Compliance shall prepare reports regarding the implementation and ongoing compliance with this policy as may be requested by the Audit and Compliance Committee.
History:
Adopted 02/28/2025
* Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-185.
** Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-9-209(d)(1)(I).
*** Education, Research, and Service Committee Charter.
**** Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-185(a).
Downloadable PDF