Now you’re allowed to use ChatGPT and other GAI tools in your exams at AU
Generative AI (GAI) tools are here to stay, according to AU. Therefore, you’re allowed to use GAI in your exams, unless the academic regulations or course description explicitly state otherwise.
What is GAI?
GAI stands for generative artificial intelligence and is commonly known as chatbots that can generate responses based on the questions or tasks you provide them with. GAI technology is able to do this because it’s based on large language models that draw on existing text, patterns, or structures.
Disclaimer: This text was translated using machine translation / AI and post-edited by Maria Nielsen Pedersen
Many students are already using GAI tools such as ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, or Microsoft's Copilot. These tools are now also considered legitimate aids for AU students during exams, unless explicitly prohibited by the academic regulations or course description, AU states this in an announcement: Now you’re allowed to use GAI in your exams.
You must declare the use of GAI
The rules about academic cheating, including plagiarism and proper citation practices, still apply. If you use GAI in connection with your exam paper, you must fill out a GAI declaration and submit it with your exam. You can read more about the rules for using GAI in exams here.
The change follows AU’s January 2023 ban on using AI chatbots in exams, which caused confusion among students, as AU simultaneously encouraged using chatbots for other academic work. Now, AU’s stance is that "Generative AI tools are here to stay, and students need to learn how to use these tools responsibly and critically", as stated in the announcement from AU.
AU recommends that students use Copilot
Aarhus University shares a range of tips and recommendations for students on using GAI on Studypedia. Among other things, the university recommends that students and staff use Microsoft Copilot, which can be accessed through the university.
“The advantage of Copilot is data security; the data you enter is not saved or used to train the underlying large language model. However, you still shouldn’t put any confidential or sensitive personal data in Copilot”, AU advises.