Additional Information

Generative AI & Large Language Models

genAI at USF

Generative Artificial Intelligence provides opportunities to ethically and effectively advance our institutional mission. USF is committed to actively engaging with this rapidly developing technology to maximize these opportunities.   

Visit USF's generative AI website for comprehensive guidance on ethical usage, syllabus and course policy recommendations, citations, AI events, and more. 

Use of Generative AI and Large Language Models in ETDs

The Office of Graduate Studies maintains the University's focus on academic integrity and upholds the goal of protecting students who publish their electronic theses and dissertations through USF. The use of generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) can pose significant challenges in regard to both academic integrity and the integrity of the work due to “hallucinations” (content that is not accurate, like a scene that does not actually occur in the movie being analyzed, or does not exist, like a made up scholarly source) or content that is biased. 

OGS Guidelines are based on USF’s AI Policy:

“Per USF Policy, use of any tool or assistive technology for completion of coursework must be authorized by your instructor first. If you choose to use ChatGPT or some other generative AI technology for writing, be sure you are transparent about your use of it with your teachers. Each citation style has different recommendations for citing generative AI tools like ChatGPT.“   

Source

A student who wishes to use generative AI or LLMs in the preparation of their ETD must:

  1. Obtain permission from their entire committee
  2. Be transparent about AI use and follow Citation Guidelines
  3. Clearly Cite the Model and Version Used
  4. Be vigilant in reviewing and correcting all “hallucinations”
  5. Accept and acknowledge that they, the student author, are ultimately responsible for any inaccurate or biased information in their ETD even if it was generated by AI
  6. Obtain Copyright Permission for any images or content created by others and then run through Generative AI
  7. Include a disclosure of AI use in an Appendix

Disclosing AI-Generated Content

Transparency and honesty are an important part of maintaining academic integrity. 

Disclosing the use of any generative AI for written content and images is required in your ETD, and generative AI can only be used in your ETD with permission from the entire committee. 

If permission is obtained, use the following guidelines to disclose AI use. Please disclose for generative and assistive separately. Examples of each are below.

The disclosure must include:

  • AI Program,
  • Version,
  • Example Directives/prompts,
  • Date of access  
  • How AI was used

 

Read the USF Library’s page on Citing Generative AI tools for more details. 

Example Disclosure 1: Generative AI use

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools were utilized generatively in the preparation of this thesis/dissertation. The use of AI for the purposes that follow was approved by my committee. [Name of specific model and version] was used to [e.g. generate data visualizations / draft or assist with coding /draft or assist with outline/ suggest revisions in content/summarize literature, etc.] [Include example directives / prompts that were used]. Include date(s) of access if possible. All AI use was reviewed for relevance and accuracy. Responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of this work remains solely my own.

 

Example Disclosure 2: Assistive AI use

Assistive Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools were utilized in the preparation of this thesis/dissertation. The use of AI for the purposes that follow was approved by my committee. [Name of specific model and version] was used to [e.g. correct grammar / suggest revisions in spelling or grammar/locate sources/suggest revisions in organizational structure etc.] [Include example directives / prompts that were used]. Include date(s) of access if possible. All AI use was reviewed for relevance and accuracy. Responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of this work remains solely my own.

Please consider other publisher’s policies on AI as well. 

Source

Generative AI programs include, but are not limited to:

  • ChatGPT, GPT-3, GPT-3.5, GPT-4
  • BERT
  • Claude
  • Falcon40B
  • Lamda
  • Llama
  • Orca
  • Palm
  • Phi-1
  • StableLM
  • Vicuna33b
  • AlphaCode
  • GitHub Copilot
  • DALL-E 2
  • StyleGAN
  • Bardeen
  • Copy.ai
  • 14Descript
  • Type Studio
  • Designs.ai

NOTE: Plagiarism discovered because of AI-generated ETD material, images and text, is subject to an academic integrity review and sanctions.