The following guidance aims to introduce students to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), focusing primarily on ChatGPT, and how to use it ethically and with integrity.
Understanding Limitations of Generative AI
Before using AI tools, you must be aware of their main limitations.
- Misinformation and outdated responses. To perform well on given tasks, generative AI is trained using datasets from previous years. This means that the tool’s responses may not include the latest information or current events like a search engine would. These tools can also generate inaccurate or harmful content, thus you should always fact-check and consult sources directly.
- Bias and stereotypes. Since generative AI uses datasets from diverse online sources, it is possible for responses to include prejudice and bias. Researchers and developers are trying to mitigate these issues, but they are still present in the system. Be aware that these tools cannot recognize bias, and instead may perpetuate them.
- Fake citations. Generative AI can produce fake information, including fake references and citations, which can lead to academic misconduct. Keep in mind that these tools are incapable of generating novel, original ideas. Its responses come from the datasets it was trained on, which can be traced back to source material.
- Limited calculation ability. Generative AI is not designed to perform calculations, thus its responses may be incorrect and inconsistent. You should always compare your results with tools designed for calculations.
Furthermore, do not input any personal information into generative AI. Doing so puts your privacy and security at risk.
Using Gen AI with Integrity
Gen AI can be a helpful resource to aid in your studies. However, generative AI should not be used to replace your learning, such as doing assignments or exams for you. Be sure to check out the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct, which includes policies about AI use.
To effectively use generative AI with integrity, you should:
- Verify the information you obtain from AI tools by cross-referencing for misinformation
- Draw your own conclusions from information provided by AI tools
- Understand the limitations of AI tools
- Learn how to cite generative AI in your work
- Talk to your instructors about their class policies for AI use
Exploring Gen AI
You can start learning how ChatGPT works by creating an account for free on OpenAI.
Once you have an account, you can explore the tool’s functionalities. Consider the following prompts to get started:
- Give instructions
- Example: Give me 5 titles for a [subject] paper on [insert context]?
- Summarize lengthy articles
- Example: Summarize the article [title] by [author]?
- NOTE: ChatGPT may make up information if it does not have enough context. Make sure to cross-reference work that is provided by the AI tool.
- Ask for writing templates
- Example: Can you give me a resume template?
- NOTE: Inputting specific but non-personal details, like a job title and description of your duties, can make the template more helpful and easier to edit afterwards.
- Ask for feedback
- You can give ChatGPT an excerpt of your work for it to analyze.
- Ask for language translation
- Example: Can you give me a scenario for [event/action] in [language]?
It may be helpful to document your use of generative AI to further your understanding of how the tool works. Since generative AI comes with limitations, we encourage you to explore its functionalities in an informed manner.
For additional prompts, view the links below:
Resources
Check out the following resources to learn more about generative AI, its limitations, and how to use it.
- UC Davis Center for Data Science and AI
- Barnard Student Guide to Generative AI
- UCLA Guidance for the Use of Generative AI
- OpenAI FAQ
Content on this website is subject to change as AI tools continue to develop. Page last updated December 11, 2023.