How to use AI in studies

Examples of permitted and prohibited uses of AI

Please note that teachers determine the permitted use of AI based on the course content and expected learning outcomes. If in doubt, consult your teacher! Save your prompt history and conversations with AI tools.

Please note that you are not allowed to upload other people’s work, confidential information or personal data to external AI tools.

Using AI to support information retrieval

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat (only when logged in with your TUNI credentials) and ScopusAI. Ask AI to provide examples of the phenomenon you are investigating or locate research articles on your topic.
• Prohibited: Copilot Chat and other University-provided AI tools: Do not share special category data or classified information with AI tools. This includes, for example, personal identity numbers, health data and large volumes of basic-level personal data. Do not used AI-generated material as a direct source. Do not generate data using AI. 

Using AI to clarify key theories and concepts

• Permitted: Use the University-provided AI tools, such as Copilot Chat, to support your understanding of theories and concepts. Always make sure you understand and can verify the conclusions. Ask AI to provide summaries or explain theories and concepts.
• Prohibited: Do not copy AI-generated content without verifying the concepts. 

Uploading data to an AI application

• Permitted: Make sure the AI application does not use the data to train its AI model (Copilot Chat does not use the data to train the AI model when users are logged in with their TUNI credentials). You may upload material that is openly accessible or allowed to be shared under copyright.
• Prohibited: Uploading material that is protected under copyright. 

Using AI to analyse data

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat, to discuss your preliminary data analysis with AI. Ask AI for ideas on how to present your data, for example, in a table or a visual format.
• Prohibited: Using AI to complete your data analysis or directly generate a summary. Students are responsible for conducting their own data analysis.

Using AI to generate code 

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat.
• Prohibited: Using AI-generated code without proper acknowledgement.

Using AI to gain feedback on a draft

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat, to discuss how to improve your draft.
• Prohibited: Asking AI to rewrite or complete your draft.

Using AI to create images, figures or graphs

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat. Provide appropriate references. Use AI to support data visualisation and brainstorming.
• Prohibited: Using AI-generated images, figures or graphs without proper acknowledgement. Violating copyright through the use of AI-generated content.

Using AI to generate creative content for assignments

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools, such as Copilot Chat, to discuss your topic and your creative ideas.
• Prohibited: Copying and pasting AI-generated content and using AI without proper acknowledgement.

Using AI to proofread and correct your text

• Permitted: Use the University-provided tools to check your text for grammatical errors and typos. Make sure the meaning of your text remains unchanged and that you understand why AI made the corrections it did.
• Prohibited: The permitted and prohibited uses of AI depend on the course learning outcomes and assessment practices. Ask your teacher for instructions. Students are not permitted to copy AI-generated text directly without applying their own critical thinking and review. The use of AI must always be properly acknowledged, regardless of the tool used.