AI Ethics

Generative AI tools can support your learning, but only when used ethically. This means using AI in a way that aligns with Kent’s commitment to academic integrity: being honest, transparent, and taking full responsibility for your work.  

1. Academic Honesty & Transparency

AI use should never be hidden. If your module allows AI use, you must be clear about when and how you’ve used it. This is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in your work.

• Follow your module guidance on AI use.
• If AI contributes to your work, disclose this clearly and cite it when required.
• Never present AI-generated text or ideas as entirely your own.

Learn how to make a correct declaration on our "AI and Academic Integrity" page below: 

2. Human Oversight  

AI is not a replacement for your own thinking. It can produce incorrect or fabricated content (known as hallucinations), so using AI responsibly means verifying its output.

• Always review, fact-check, and evaluate AI outputs.
• Use AI for support, not as the creator of your work.
• Remember: your critical thinking, not the AI, must guide the final work.

3. Fairness, Bias & Cultural Sensitivity

AI tools are trained on existing data, which can include biases or stereotypes. This means their responses might reflect limited perspectives. Ethical use involves questioning and challenging these patterns.

• Evaluate responses for bias and inclusivity to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.
• Be mindful of cultural and social implications when interpreting AI-generated content.
• Check multiple sources, not just AI outputs, for diverse viewpoints.

David Barnes, a senior lecturer from the School of Computing, talks about how AI tools work and why we must be mindful when using these tools. 

4. Accountability & Integrity

Even if AI assists you, the responsibility for your work remains yours. Ethical use means owning your decisions and being ready to explain them.

• You are responsible for all submitted work.
• Be prepared to explain how and why you used AI if asked by your lecturer.

For more on citing AI correctly, visit our "Academic Integrity and AI" page below: 

Using AI can cross into unethical territory when it replaces your own work or violates academic integrity. These behaviours put you at risk of academic misconduct:

• Generating and submitting content produced by AI instead of completing the work yourself.
• Copying and pasting AI content, leading to errors, false references, or plagiarism.
• Ignoring module-specific rules on AI use such as failing to declare AI assistance when required.

Always check your module’s guidance and use our AI Declaration page to disclose AI use correctly.

Click below to return to the AI home page.