On the lands that we study, we walk, and we live, we acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders of these lands.
What you can learn from this page:
Generative AI (GenAI) creates digital content, such as text or images, based on the prompts you enter into the GenAI tool.
Some Gen AI tools include:
Microsoft Copilot*
ChatGPT
Claude
Google Gemini
Midjourney
These tools allow you to experiment and use AI technology. Many of which are built into platforms such as Microsoft 365 (Copilot), Google (Google Gemini) and Padlet.
*Microsoft Copilot is UOW's preferred GenAI tool as it is covered by commercial data protection. For more information, see our guide, Using Microsoft Copilot for study and research.
For students and staff, GenAI tools can help you brainstorm ideas, explore a range of concepts, or generate starting points for assignments, projects and research. These tools can save you time and be more efficient, however they should not function as a substitute for your own critical thinking. There are key points to consider if you do use Gen AI in your studies:
| Do | Don't |
| Confirm if GenAI is permitted in your assessments | Use GenAI in assessments unless explicitly permitted by your subject coordinator, lecturer, or supervisor |
| Check if content is accurate or reliable. Use the TRAAP Test to evaluate information and sources | Upload sensitive information or data to AI tools unless you are certain the platform ensures data protection, like Microsoft CoPilot |
| Use critical thinking and only use generative AI to explore ideas | Use Gen AI as a substitute for learning or assessments |
| Cite GenAI accordingly when used | Present or submit AI generated text as your own work, as this can be considered plagiarism and academic misconduct |
The REAL test is a framework for evaluating AI generated outputs. It consists of four key steps:
Relevance: Does the output or response directly answer the question or prompt?
AI tools can misinterpret questions or shift focus when it does not have all the information.
Evidence: Are the sources generated hallucinated, genuine and verifiable? Are examples provided to support the evidence?
Not all sources or ‘evidence’ provided by AI is real or correct. Sources can be fabricated or ‘hallucinated’ and references may not exist.
Accuracy: Are the sources and information accurate, reliable, or credible?
Think about the quality of the sources and whether they are peer-reviewed, or less reliable materials such as blogs, threads, or grey literature.
Limitations: Does the output acknowledge any gaps, or that information may be incorrect, missing or require further verification?
AI should indicate if information is uncertain or requires validation, however, this is not always the case, and you will still need to ensure that the information is reliable and credible.
The Billboard Test is a simple and straightforward test to use when assessing what is shared with AI tools.
“Don’t type or enter anything into AI that you wouldn’t want on a billboard with your name attached”
Data shared on AI platforms and tools can be stored, reused and shared. It is important to think about what information you are sharing, whether it contains sensitive or private information, and whether your input could become public or accessed by others.
Considers whether you want to share your own work. Uploading your own original ideas, drafts and research can affect ownership, copyright, and future publication.
This resource utilises and builds on AI Literacy Frameworks developed by Michael J. Goldrich.
If you are permitted to use GenAI in your academic work, it is important that you reference how you have used it and cite it accordingly. You can refer to the Referencing generative AI page, where you will find examples for citing generative AI for a range of styles such as AGLC4, Harvard, Footnoting, IEE, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, and APA7.
Gen AI is becoming more common in education and research and it is important to be mindful of how you are using these tools in an ethical and responsible way. There are key points to consider if you do use GenAI in your studies:
| Things to be aware of: | How can l mitigate this and be better informed: |
| GenAI outputs are shaped by the data it was trained on, the type of content it is designed to generate, and the tasks it was built to perform. GenAI's capabilities can be limited and the information it provides may be outdated or incomplete. | |
| GenAI can reflect biases and can provide wrong or misleading information. AI is not always accurate | Ensure you verify sources from AI |
| GenAI can generate false content, such as fake references, since it cannot fact check what it generates. Always check AI content for accuracy, quality and relevance to your work. | Learn to identify fake references |
If you have additional questions regarding Generative AI in your studies and research, contact your subject coordinator, tutor, or research supervisor.
On the lands that we study, we walk, and we live, we acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders of these lands.
