Penn recently released new guidelines pertaining to AI usage for students and faculty.
Credit: Abhiram JuvvadiPenn released new guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by students and faculty.
Unlike many other peer universities that have standing policies, these guidelines constitute Penn’s first university-wide policy for the use of artificial intelligence programs. In the absence of such policies, AI guidelines varied per professor and course. The University expects the policy to be updated regularly as AI continues to evolve.
The statement, which was released on Nov. 7, supports the use of generative AI but stipulates that the databases must be used per the Penn's mission.
“Penn embraces innovations like generative artificial intelligence ('AI') models in teaching, learning, research, and the effective stewardship of Penn’s resources," the statement said.
Penn outlined nine categories of AI usage: Transparency, accountability, bias, privacy and contracts, patient privacy protection, security, data scraping, intellectual property, and university business processes.
The guidelines outline the importance of citing AI in all cases of use per the University’s Code of Academic Integrity. It also states that students must be careful when citing AI and be clear on how AI was used to aid student work.
Additionally, the guidelines emphasize privacy protection, as AI can use any data that is shared or entered into its database in its output. Penn encourages students to avoid inputting personal or University-related data.
While the guidelines apply to the entire school, professors and departments may still adapt their specific guidelines if they differ from the University’s guidelines, many of which have already been implemented when Penn lacked university-wide regulations. Students are encouraged to consult with their professors before use of generative AI.
With the rise of generative artificial intelligence platforms such as ChatGPT, universities nationwide have been forced to reckon with regulating student use of AI.
Since ChatGPT’s launch last November, the viral chatbot has become increasingly popular, reaching over 100 million active users only two months after its inception and becoming the fastest-growing web platform ever. Earlier this year, Wharton professor Christian Terwiesch found that ChatGPT would pass a final exam in a Wharton MBA core class.
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