LUBS Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) policy

We want LUBS graduates to be confident in using GAI, understanding its benefits, shortcomings, and appropriate use in the workplace. We must also ensure students develop their own knowledge and skills in order to award degrees, which we do via assessments. The LUBS GAI policy represents our current balance of these needs. It is regularly reviewed to keep up with technological developments.

Using GAI - the basics

Assessments vary in their adoption of GAI (see below), but there are some basic consistencies:

Where we need to assess [mark] your own skill or understanding, you must do this without GAI in any way.
Never assume you are allowed to use GAI – if you are, you will be specifically told. Some assessments make look similar, but have very different instructions.
Where an element is background or preparation and not a learning outcome, you may be allowed to use GAI to some extent.
Something that’s background or preparation in one assignment may be vital learning in another – instructions can vary. Check each assignment brief carefully!
Even when you use GAI as permitted, you are still responsible for the content. Check it for accuracy and objectivity; never be assume that GAI output is good or true. You must be as critical when including GAI output as with any other source.
If permitted GAI is used, you must reference it, just as for supporting texts. See the library link further down this page for help with this.

GAI: Assessment Categories

The University uses a traffic light system to show whether GAI can be used; each assessment is marked as red, amber or green.

This is a broad ‘headline’ indicator, which will be followed by more specific details on the assignment brief.

You should always ask the module tutor if they you unsure which category an assessment falls into, or the extent to which GAI can be used.

RED means GAI cannot be used at all, anywhere, in the assignment or its preparation.

Typical red items include in-person exams, or assignments where competence in English writing and referencing are being assessed, such as a personal skills module.

AMBER means GAI can be used in preparing the assignment, but only within boundaries set in the assignment brief. Students must demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes using their own abilities.

In Amber, it’s your choice whether to use GAI or not, in the permitted elements elements – but what’s allowed and not allowed is specific to each assignment, so always check. Remember that GAI output must never appear in the work you are being marked on. It should only be used for support, as defined in the module brief.

GREEN means that GAI use is necessary to complete the assignment. This would usually be for a specific section only, where you are required to use GAI to create or critique some part of the work.

The green category is for coursework assignments where GAI is needed for at least one section, again with assignment-specific instructions, so always check!

Checking and referencing GAI content

You always need to check the accuracy and neutrality of GAI output. When you hand in work, its accuracy is your responsibility.

You must also declare all GAI use in your references section. This applies to all kinds of GAI use whether support, core or summarising reading.

The University Library Service provides a detailed guide on how to reference generative AI.

Please be mindful that breaching GAI rules will be considered academic misconduct.

GAI Safety

A key concern for staff and students is intellectual property. This includes staff-created questions or notes, and student-created written content.

For this reason, you must never put such materials into commercial sites such as ChatGPT. This could allow other people to see and use your work, or ours - which could result in academic malpractice issues for both yourself and others. LUBS asks everyone to use Microsoft Co-Pilot rather than other GAI models. The University of Leeds has an institutional Co-Pilot licence, meaning that it will not store or retrieve input, and is safe for both staff and students to use - in both cases, within permitted boundaries.

Microsoft Co-Pilot launch icon appears automatically in the top right corner of an Edge browser window; you can also reach it by googling on any browser, but if you’re not on campus you must log into your university account to benefit from the commercial data protection. This is indicated by a variation of the green icons pictured.

Blue MS Co-pilot symbol, and two variations on a green shield with and without the word "protected"

The blue Microsoft Co-Pilot symbol, and variations of the green "commercial data protection" symbol

What else can GAI do for me?

It’s important to have guidelines on GAI use in assessed work, but, there are other places it can be helpful, which can indirectly support your studies, save time, and add to your GAI skill set.

This might be particularly useful if you choose not to use, check and reference GAI in your amber assignments. These include:

Breaking down academic reading into smaller chunks, to make it easier to read
Pulling together and organising your revision materials
Self-feedback generation, in the preparation stage of assignments
Admin. You may have paperwork for a society, club or general life. Or perhaps you need assistance with schedule creation for time management or revision. GAI can help you save time and be more organised around your studies!

Remember, in all cases, still always check for bias and inaccuracy!

Useful links for further reading

Academic policy links

University Assessment Strategy

Download the latest Institutional Assessment strategy which covers vision and principles.

Taught Students Academic Misconduct Procedure

The Procedure sets out the definition of offences, details of the investigation process, and potential penalties. It applies to all assessments set from September 2024.

Policy on the Assessment of Written English

The Policy on the Assessment of Written English Word Document sets out the University’s approach to the assessment of written work in English which applies to all written work submitted by all students.

Generative AI guidance for taught students

Read the University of Leeds’ latest information and guidance on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your studies.

Policy on proof-reading

University guidance relating to the proof-reading of any text to be submitted as part of academic course work, including dissertations.

Questions and help

The content on this page was prepared by Jennie Robinson, LUBS Director of Assessment.

Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity.

Fei-Fei Li