Teaching & Learning

Syllabus and Course Guidance on Artificial Intelligence

With advancements in AI, generative AI tools can generate human-like text or create unique audio and images, raising potential issues related to academic integrity and the authenticity of student work. Hence, it's essential to establish clear policies that are communicated to students from the outset of a course.

As you develop your generative AI course policy, be sure to review and ensure alignment with the USF Guidance for Ethical Generative AI Usage. The guidance reinforces key principles of human-centered approach, as well as considerations for bias, sourcing, privacy and data protection. It also serves as a framework for talking to your students about generative AI.

The information below is meant to provide a framework for either allowing AI use in your course or restricts the use of generative AI tools in your courses. The policy may be customized to align with your syllabus specific learning goals. 

Detecting generative AI work, especially text based, is not reliably possible with technology. Therefore, prohibiting the use entirely is not practical, but restrictions and limits can be set to meet your learning goals. Developing ethical uses of generative AI should be a focus with your students and will require a strong set of shared values related to learning and academic integrity, and the utility and limits of generative AI tools between you and your students.

Last Updated - August 2025

Building Your Course Policies

This course policy can be adjusted to meet specific learning goals, including use in certain assignments and not others, and adjusting the student responsibilities section.

Click on the items below to review sample syllabus text. 

Acceptable Use of Generative AI Tools

Restricted Use of Generative AI Tools

Sample Course Policy on Acceptable Use of Generative AI Tools
The framework below acknowledges the growing presence of AI in education and building workforce ready skills while upholding academic integrity and responsible use. Allowing responsible use of AI in your course can support critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy. This policy can be tailored to specific learning goals, including allowing AI for some assignments but not others, and updating the student responsibilities section.

  1. Definition of Generative AI Tools: Generative AI tools refer to any artificial intelligence-powered software, program or application that can generate content, including but not limited to text, visuals, music, and other creative outputs. Examples of these tools include AI text generators, AI content rewriters, AI graphic generators, etc.

  2. Permitted Use: The use of generative AI tools is permitted for course-related submissions, including assignments, projects, presentations, examinations, and other forms of assessment. However, students must responsibly use these tools, adhering to the guidelines outlined in this policy.
    1. Additional considerations - Consider which types of assignments you will allow or expect generative AI tools to be used and note any restrictions when it is not to be used. Be as explicit as possible with respect to restrictions and expectations.
    2. Example: Generative AI tools may be used in weekly assignments and group projects, however generative AI tools are not to be used on unit exams.

  3. Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for appropriately using generative AI tools in their work. This includes citing all AI-generated content used in their submissions.

    Generative AI tools, while powerful, are not infallible and can produce misinformation or inaccurate results. Students are responsible for the accuracy of their submissions and must cross-verify the information produced by these tools with reliable sources.
    1. Consider a formatting option from USF Library Guide; or ask students to explicitly detail how AI-generated content was used in their submission.

  4. Violation Consequences: Misuse of AI tools, including use of AI that undermines the student learning objectives of the course or assignment, failing to cite AI-generated content, relying too heavily on AI for work completion [as defined above in permitted use], or submitting inaccurate information generated by AI tools, will be subject to academic penalties. Consequences may range from a reduction in an individual assignment grade to larger academic sanctions per USF policy, depending on the severity of the violation (USF Regulation 3.027).

  5. Exceptions: If there are specific assignments where the use of AI tools is not appropriate, these will be clearly marked in the assignment guidelines. Students must adhere to these specific instructions.

  6. Questions and Clarifications: If students are unsure whether a tool they wish to use qualifies as a generative AI tool, or if they have questions regarding the allowable use of such tools, they should consult with the course instructor before using it.

Restricted Use of Generative AI Tools
The framework below acknowledges the growing presence of AI in education but reflects a course policy that does not permit the use of generative AI tools. This policy can be customized to align with specific learning goals, including prohibiting AI entirely or restricting its use to select assignments, and should be reflected in the student responsibilities section of the syllabus.

  1. Definition of Generative AI Tools: Generative AI tools refer to software or applications powered by artificial intelligence that produce original content, including but not limited to text, images, music, data analysis, and code. Examples include ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DALL·E, GitHub Copilot, and AI-based summarizers or paraphrasers.

  2. Prohibited Use: Use of generative AI tools is not permitted for any coursework in this class. This includes all assignments, papers, projects, exams, presentations, or any other graded component. Students are expected to complete all work independently, without the aid of AI-generated content. 

    1. Instructional Note:
      Clearly state the scope of prohibited use. You may also include language about limited exceptions (e.g., accessibility accommodations or instructor-provided tools) if applicable.

  3. Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for submitting work that reflects their own original effort. Use of AI-generated content, even in part, is considered a violation of this policy unless explicitly authorized. Students must not use AI tools to generate, rewrite, translate, summarize, or enhance their assignments.

  4. Violation Consequences: Use of AI tools in violation of this policy will be treated as a breach of academic integrity under USF Regulation 3.027. Consequences may include assignment failure, course grade penalties, or further disciplinary action depending on the severity of the offense.

  5. Exceptions: If any future assignments allow limited or guided AI use, explicit permission will be provided in the assignment instructions. In the absence of such permission, students should assume that AI use is not allowed.

  6. Questions and Clarifications: Students who are unsure whether a tool or method violates this policy should consult the instructor before using it. Uncertainty is not an excuse for academic misconduct.