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Using Generative AI: A Guide for Students

This guide is for students interested in responsible use of generative AI in academic work. It covers deciding if/when to use AI tools in academic work, prompt writing, citing AI, and ethical considerations of AI tools so students can engage thoughtfully

About this Guide

" "Welcome to the MSU Library Generative AI Guide for Students

This guide is designed to help students:

  • Understand key terms in the Generative AI conversation
  • Learn about Generative AI applications in academic work
  • Consider ethical implications of AI usage
  • Engage with Generative AI systems through prompt engineering
  • Cite Generative AI results in your work

AI Literacy

Want to continue to develop a more discerning lens for AI technologies?

Consider the ROBOT Test, developed by two librarians from McGill University, the ROBOT test is meant to help you engage with a myriad AI technologies through active learning and a critical lens. The creators describe it as a "tool you can use when reading about AI applications to help consider the legitimacy of the technology."

Reliability

How reliable is the information available at the AI technology?

What are the authors' or creators' credentials? Potential bias?

How much information is available (like the data the AI tool was trained on)? Potential bias?
Objective

What is the goal or objective of the use of AI?

What is the goal of sharing information about the AI tool?

     -To inform?

     -To convince?

     -To find financial support?
Bias

What could create bias in the AI technology?

Are there ethical issues associated with this?

Are bias or ethical issues acknowledged?
Ownership

Who is the owner or developer of the AI technology?

Who is responsible for it? (Private company, government, research group, etc?)

Who has access to it?

Who can use it?
Type

Which subtype of AI is it?

Is the technology theoretical or applied?

What kind of informaiton system does it rely on?

Does it rely on human intervention?

Adapted from Hervieux, S. & Wheatley, A. (2020). The ROBOT test [Evaluation tool]. The LibrAIry. https://thelibrairy.wordpress.com/2020/03/11/the-robot-test

Some text on this page was adapted from the Using Generative AI LibGuide from the University of Alberta, which is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.