Effective & responsible use of AI

(GEN)AI can be a powerful tool in your studies but use it consciously and critically.

Ensure your work reflects your competencies and adhere to the specific guidelines of your course.

Using (GEN)AI responsibly can enrich your learning and allow you to work more efficiently without violating ethical standards or academic integrity.

This content applies university-wide, but keep in mind specific guidelines of your faculty, program or instructor.

What is AI and Generative AI?

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence): Technology that allows computers to perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and pattern recognition.
  • Generative AI (GenAI): A type of AI that can generate original content such as text, images, music, or video based on existing data and specific prompts.

Want to learn more about AI? Follow an online AI course.

General guidelines

At UHasselt, the following two basic guidelines apply:

  1. Responsibility: You are fully responsible for the work you submit.
  2. Your competencies: The work submitted should reflect your knowledge and skills.

In addition, always check if your program has specific guidelines for using AI in, for example, (programming) assignments, bachelor's or master's theses and other forms of evaluation.

What can (Gen) AI be used for?

  • Searching and brainstorming: Use AI to generate ideas or find inspiration.
  • Writing and language assistance: Let AI help with grammar, structure or translations.

AI can support structuring essays and improving grammar, style, and academic formatting. You can also use AI to translate texts or provide feedback on wording.

AI often performs better in English because most models are trained on English-language data.
Note! The output may contain linguistic or grammatical errors.

  • Study coaching: AI can support you with study planning, motivate you, help you study more actively, ... or reflect. Receive feedback on your learning strategies and adjust them.
    - How can AI support me? (website)

- Discover the following AI prompt guides for college students (website)
- Decision tree: should I use AI or not? (infographic)

Types of AI tools

AI tools can be used for a variety of tasks. Here is an overview of the most well-known and popular AI tools today.

  • Text generation: ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Grammarly, Claude and Perplexity
  • Code generation: GitHub Copilot, aiXcoder, TabNine
  • Image generation: Dall-E, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney
  • Video generation: Fliki, Lumen 5, Canva
  • Audio generation: Klangio, Jukebox, Musenet

Note that not all tools are verified for privacy or security. Always use AI tools critically.
You can find many more tools with specific purposes:
- theresanaiforthat.com
- generative AI-tools

Tips for good AI prompts

A prompt is the input you give to an AI model. Good prompts lead to better results.

  • Clarity: Be specific about content, style and length.
  • Balance: Keep prompts to the point, but add relevant context
  • Language: Ideally work in English
  • Neutrality: Draft neutral prompts to avoid bias
  • Reusability: Save helpful prompts for future use

- Find a detailed overview of prompting techniques in this guide.
- AI prompt library: prompt templates (website)

Pitfalls and risks associated with AI

  • Plagiarism: AI output is often based on existing sources. Always cite these sources correctly.
  • Bias and hallucinations: Check output for erroneous or biased information.
  • Privacy: Don't share personal data in AI tools. After all, you don't know what the AI tool will do with your “data”. Some models are systematically trained with the input they receive.
  • Dependency: AI may support your learning but not replace it.
  • Environmental impact: Consider whether AI is necessary; AI consumes a lot of energy, comparable to an hour of lamp light per task; search engines are often more energy efficient.

Principles for the use of AI

  • Critical eye: Verify the generated output, paying attention to source references.
  • Transparency: Be transparent about using AI, depending on the purpose for which the tool is deployed.
  • Integrity and respect: Always act with respect and integrity with both the input and output of AI systems, and be aware of the pitfalls associated with using AI.

Limit the use of AI tools to situations where it can add value. Handle responsibly. If you use it, it is crucial to be critical, transparent and act with integrity.
- How to use AI responsible (infographic)

Gen AI & Hasselt university regulations

Not allowed:

  • Plagiarism: Literal copying of AI output without correct source citation is not allowed
  • Fraud: Using AI tools to submit work that is not your own, independent work or where you refer incorrectly.
  • Exams: Do not use AI during exams unless explicitly permitted

AI tools that violate the agreements within UHasselt, your course unit, program or faculty are considered fraud or abuse.
Such irregularities can be punished according to the procedure described in articles on irregularities of the education, examination and legal position regulations for students (EEL Regulations)

Fraud when using AI means using AI tools to submit work that is not your own, independent work or to which you refer incorrectly.
Misuse of AI is usually considered plagiarism, which can lead to sanctions such as a failing grade on an exam or evaluation.