Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more and more ubiquitous and there is no doubt it will disrupt and transform many fields including higher education. Sonoran University embraces innovation and aspires to harness this emerging technology to enhance student learning and institutional operations while also addressing the limitations and challenges these technologies impose.   

We recognize that today, many students, staff, administrators, and faculty are already experimenting with novel generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT.  We appreciate these tools provide innovative applications that may be helpful to enhance student learning; we also recognize that these tools may be used in a way that can evade key course objectives consistent with other forms of plagiarism and academic dishonesty.   

This statement serves to inform our academic community of Sonoran University's stance on AI use in the classroom and clinical environment. Unless previously approved by faculty, the use of AI for the completion of course assignments, quizzes, examinations, and/or for completing clinical chart notes will be considered analogous to plagiarism and/or using another person to complete an assignment intended for individual completion.  When a student is unsure, the student should ask their faculty in advance and/or default to disclosing use of AI. (Guide to citing text generated from AI) 

Sonoran University has implemented an AI detection software (Turnitin) that helps faculty identify when a student has integrated content from an AI text generator, such as ChatGPT, in their assignments.    

Specific to the clinical environment, students and SPE candidates must be aware that generative AI tools are NOT HIPAA compliant.  Students and SPE candidates are therefore strictly prohibited from placing any confidential and protected patient/client information onto these platforms for any reason including but not limited to helping inform clinical decisions.  Such actions will be deemed a violation of both HIPAA and standards of academic integrity. In recognition of the value AI may offer to learning, AI use in the learning environment (classroom or clinic) is not always prohibited.  However, any use of AI:  

1.       must be done with prior approval by course faculty/clinical supervisor, and 

2.       must be disclosed as a source in references and using quotation marks in cases where any text from a generative AI tool is used within the body of an assignment. (Guide to citing text generated from AI)  

_________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Statement adapted from the following sources:  

1.        (n.d.). Generative AI Policy Guidance. Stanford University. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://communitystandards.stanford.edu/generative-ai-policy-guidance    

2.        (n.d.). Guidance for the Use of Generative AI. UCLA. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://teaching.ucla.edu/resources/ai_guidance/  

3.        (n.d.). Generative AI: FAQs. Arizona State University. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://provost.asu.edu/generative-ai-faqs  

(2023). Guidelines for Using Generative Artificial Intelligence at the George Washington University. George Washington University. https://doi.org/ April 4, 2023  

Additional references:  

1.        Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf  U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations, Washington, DC, 2023.  

2.        European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Ethical guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in teaching and learning for educators Publications Office of the European Union, 2022, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/153756   

3.        Framework of Artificial Intelligence Learning Platform for Education: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1331125.pdf    

4.        A Comprehensive AI Policy Education Framework for University Teaching and Learning: https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2305/2305.00280.pdf   

5.        Dalhousie University https://dal.ca.libguides.com/CitationStyleGuide/citing-ai#:~:text=Currently%2C%20APA%20recommends%20that%20text,entry%20on%20the%20References%20list.&text=Examples%3A,%2C%20January%2016%2C%202023).