Course materials
Text modules for course descriptions in relation to the use of text-generative AI systems
The "Orientation framework for dealing with text-generating AI systems at the University of Graz" recommends proactively promoting the use of text-generating AI systems in studies and teaching. It is up to the lecturers to decide whether and in what form text-generating AI systems are used in courses. The respective form of use must be indicated in the course description. The four text modules available for download here serve as (modifiable) templates.
It is recommended to insert the text modules in the "Note" field in the course description.
Please note the following points when using the text modules:
- Each text module can be customized according to the intended use of text-generative AI systems in the course.
- Please make sure that the wording used in the course description is designed in such a way that it corresponds to the actual use of text-generative AI tools in the course and in the performance assessment.
- When reusing the (modified) text modules in future semesters, please check whether the chosen wording is still valid.
- Of course, you can also integrate your own wording on the use of text-generative AI systems into your course description that is not based on the text modules.
- Students must not be obliged to use external AI systems and should in any case be made aware that data processing takes place to varying degrees (often not in compliance with the GDPR) when using AI services and that input texts can generally be used to further develop the respective services.
The text modules are licensed under the Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, University of Graz, and are an adaptation of the document "KI-Transparenz im Syllabus" published under the license CC BY-NC-SA, Birgit Phillips, FH JOANNEUM.
Identification and handling of suspected cases of unauthorized use of AI
At the University of Graz, lecturers determine whether and in what form students may use artificial intelligence (AI) in courses and examinations. Whether and how AI may be used in a course must be indicated in the course description before the start of the semester. Corresponding information and text modules are available in the course resources section.
If lecturers suspect that students have used AI applications without permission - particularly in the case of written (partial) assessments - two fundamental questions arise:
- How can the unauthorized use of AI be identified?
- What measures can be taken?
Identification of unauthorized AI use
In contrast to conventional plagiarism, it is currently not possible to identify AI-generated texts with sufficient accuracy using software applications (e.g. plagiarism software). The use of an AI application is also not suitable for checking whether a text was created using AI. Data protection and copyright aspects must also be taken into account here. An attempt to deceive in the form of an AI-generated text is therefore most comparable to ghostwriting.
However, the following indicators, among others, can point to an AI-generated text:
- Thematic or factual inconsistencies in the text document
- Insufficient originality of content
- Style inconsistencies within the entire text document
- Frequent occurrence of unusual word choices
- Frequent linguistic redundancies
- Non-real references
The presence of these indicators may give rise to suspicion, but does not automatically lead to the conclusion that the text in question (or individual parts of the text contained therein) was actually created using an unauthorized AI application.
Measures in the event of suspicion of unauthorized AI use
If there is a suspicion of unauthorized use of AI in the creation of written examinations, it is recommended that a discussion be held with the student. This allows you to get a picture of the situation and also to better assess whether an unauthorized use of AI has occurred.
The following FAQs provide examples of scenarios for dealing with suspected cases:
What is considered unauthorized use of AI applications?
Before the start of the semester, the course description must specify which AI applications are permitted and to what extent. Unauthorized use is deemed to have occurred if the provisions of the respective course are violated.
Should the unauthorized use of AI applications be dealt with differently than other attempts at deception?
No. The use of unauthorized AI applications is to be assessed like any other attempt to deceive. The measures to be taken are regulated in the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes.
There is a suspicion that the student has used an AI application without permission for a Bachelor's thesis/research paper. What should be done in this case? What is the procedure?
If a suspicion arises during the assessment of the Bachelor's thesis/research paper, it is advisable to first have a discussion with the student to get an idea of the situation. If you as the supervisor come to the conclusion that unauthorized use has occurred, the thesis must be assessed negatively. It must be objectively comprehensible how you came to this conclusion. Of course, this is more likely to be the case if you have at least spoken to the student. The cheating must be reported to the Director of Studies (§ 40 para. 1 of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
If a Bachelor's thesis or academic paper is assessed negatively, you as the supervisor can refuse to supervise it again and/or demand that a completely new Bachelor's thesis or academic paper be written in terms of content and/or topic. In the case of Bachelor's theses, you as the supervisor can also demand that the Bachelor's thesis be written as part of another suitable course. Before making a decision, the Director of Studies must obtain the opinion of the person concerned (§ 40 para. 3 of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
If, prior to the final assessment, it is determined that the student's own performance is insufficient due to the unauthorized use of an AI application, you as the supervisor can refuse further supervision and/or demand that a completely new academic paper be written in terms of content and/or topic. Before the decision is made, the opinion of the person concerned must be obtained from the Director of Studies (Section 40 (2) of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
Is an interview mandatory in the event of suspicion?
No. An interview is not mandatory. However, it is expressly recommended. An interview is possible at any time up to the assessment of the Bachelor's thesis/research paper/examination.
There is a suspicion that the student has used an AI application in a course that is not part of an examination. What should be done in this case? What is the procedure?
If, for example, a suspicion arises during a seminar paper as part of a course with an examination component, it is also advisable to first have a discussion with the student. If there is unauthorized use of an AI application, the facts must be documented, in particular by means of a file note or preservation of evidence. Even if only one part of the course was cheated on, the entire course must be assessed negatively.
However, as the course director, you can allow the repetition of individual partial performances that were assessed negatively in the course until the end of the semester following the course, if the other partial performances completed in the course that is part of the examination give reason to expect a positive result overall (§ 33 para. 7 of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
The negative assessment must be reported to the Director of Studies.
The student is entitled to submit an application for a review of the assessment by the Director of Studies within two weeks of the negative assessment (§ 25 para. 6 of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
What is the procedure for audits in an audit process?
In the case of examinations in an examination process, the examination is also to be assessed negatively in the event of unauthorized use of an AI application, whereby a discussion with the student is also recommended here. The student has the option of submitting an application for the assessment to be reviewed by the Director of Studies (Section 25 (6) of the "Study Law Provisions" section of the statutes).
What should be done if a suspicion arises after a positive assessment of the Bachelor's thesis/research paper/examination?
If there is already a positive assessment and there is a suspicion of unauthorized use of an AI application, a procedure according to § 73 UG (annulment of an assessment) or § 89 UG (revocation of academic degrees) must be initiated. In this case, please contact the dean's office responsible for the degree program in question.