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Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI can be a powerful tool in any discipline, benefiting students, faculty, staff and researchers. However, when the tool is not used appropriately, it could lead to detrimental circumstances. It’s important for each person to learn and understand how to ethically and responsibly use AI. There are limitations to AI and depending on how you want to integrate AI into your field, there may be restrictions and guidelines around the use.
Best Practices
- Reference journal guidance when using AI for authorship and peer review.
- When using AI to assist with research protocols, consult with an analyst to learn when it can and cannot be used.
- Focus on documenting both the document work-flow and input processes just as much as the generated results.
- Verify the accuracy of AI generated output.
- Recognize AI is susceptible to bias and distortion.
- Be transparent about the use of AI.
- Be aware of applicable policies and regulations regarding the use of generative AI.
Importance
Although generative AI has given rise to concerns about plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, use of generative AI alone is not research misconduct. There are many ways to acceptably use generative AI. Use of any new research tool requires an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses. The same principles of research integrity, such as reproducibility, appropriate citation, and following basic scientific practices, apply to the use of generative AI in research.
However, there are some common pitfalls when using generative AI that may lead to research misconduct issues. For example, generative AI often makes up (fabricates) sources and/or source data. It may also manipulate (falsify) data to the extent that it does not accurately reflect the original outcome. Again, following basic scientific standards such as verifying source data, can alleviate these issues.
Practical Application
Faculty members and researchers: create guidelines for students around acceptable use of AI, include the guidance and best practices in class material, onboarding documents, etc.
Learn More
The AI Hub offers guidance and FAQs, accessibility considerations, generative AI icons for University instructors, generative use AI tools, platforms for building with AI, and more.
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Office for Research Protections
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The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.