What AI tools can I use, or ask my students to use?

The University of Sydney has a list of endorsed generative AI tools on the Intranet. These include:

Microsoft Copilot for Web
Cogniti

ChatGPT and other mass-market cloud-based AI tools can be used, and the University encourages staff and students to learn and experiment with these tools, provided that the University's guardrails are followed. When using mass-market AI tools, it is important to not enter protected, personal, or otherwise sensitive information.

What am I allowed to put into generative AI tools?

The Intranet has up to date information about our guardrails for generative AI.

For publicly-available, mass-market generative AI tools: you must never enter confidential, personal, proprietary or otherwise sensitive information into ChatGPT or other public cloud-based generative AI platforms.

For University-endorsed tools: a broader range of data and information can often be entered into University-endorsed tools. You must manage information in accordance with the classifications set out in the University's data handling standard and, for cloud-based tools, ensure that you are using the 'secured' versions of these tools by logging in via unikey.

Also consider: What does responsible and ethical use look like?

Can I require students to use AI for assessments?

Only AI tools that are provided by the University free of charge can be required as part of assessments. Otherwise, there are significant equity concerns including those in the Higher Education Support Act (HESA).

Can I add to or change the rules?

It is important that a clear, consistent, and coherent set of rules are applied across the University's award programs for generative AI use. This reduces student confusion, ensures their equitable treatment and encourages more transparent usage. The University's assessment and integrity policy have been developed through the discussion with academics from across the institution and the student representative groups. They apply to all units of study and coursework students.

Can I use AI to mark assessments?

The current guidance is:

For assessments that count for marks
- Marks and grades must not be derived or determined using AI at any stage of these assessments;
- AI must not be used to determine the first instance of feedback comments – this must be determined by human markers. AI can assist in improving feedback determined or written by markers (e.g. correcting grammar/spelling errors, refining wording), or suggest additional feedback, provided it is part of an approved technology;
- Human markers are 100% responsible for the accuracy, validity, and quality of all marks, grades, and feedback.
For assessments that do not count for marks
- AI can be used to generate marks, grades, and feedback as long as this is clearly communicated to students and provided it is part of an approved technology;
- AI generated marks, grades and feedback must be regularly reviewed by human markers to ensure validity, fairness, and beneficence.

The National AI Ethics Principles include requirements that there should be (i) transparency and responsible disclosure on the use of AI, (ii) upholding of privacy rights and data protection and (iii) human accountability and oversight of any AI assisted outcomes. So, while the potential of AI to improve the quality and timeliness of feedback for students is clear, it is important that we also consider how any such use is within our existing policies and consistent with the emerging principles. Students have told us that having a human mark their work that counts towards final grades is a critical part of maintaining integrity and trust between students and educators.

For further information on using AI tools for marking and feedback, refer to the University’s Teaching@Sydney article on best practices and considerations: Should we use generative AI tools for marking and feedback?