Explore how to use AI tools like ChatGPT responsibly in your schoolwork. Learn when to cite AI, how to do it in APA or MLA format, and reflect on what ethical research looks like in an AI-powered world.
Common Ethical Scenarios
Case 1: Jess and the Full Prompt
The Situation:
Jess uploads her assignment prompt into ChatGPT and copies the AI’s response into her essay without any changes or citation.
What’s the Ethical Issue?
Jess submitted AI-generated content as her own work, which constitutes plagiarism—even though the text wasn’t copied from a person. By relying entirely on the AI’s response, she failed to demonstrate her own thinking or effort.
What Could Jess Have Done Instead?
She could have used the AI to brainstorm ideas or create an outline, then written her own response and cited any AI-generated phrasing or structure she incorporated.
Case 2: Tyler’s Study Hack
The Situation:
Tyler asks ChatGPT to explain a confusing theory from class. He uses the explanation to help him understand the idea and rewrites it in his own words for his study guide.
What’s the Ethical Issue?
There is no ethical issue in Tyler’s case—he is using AI as a learning tool, similar to how one might use a tutor or textbook. He’s paraphrasing the ideas in his own words rather than copying AI-generated text.
What Should Tyler Keep in Mind?
AI can be inaccurate, so it’s important to verify information using trusted sources. If he were to use the AI’s exact wording in an assignment, he would need to provide proper citation.
Case 3: Sasha’s Citation Confusion
The Situation:
Sasha asks ChatGPT to write a paragraph on climate change with references. She copies the paragraph and citations directly into her paper without verifying them.
What’s the Ethical Issue?
The ethical issue in Sasha’s case is that she relied on AI-generated citations without verifying them—an issue since AI tools often produce fake or inaccurate references (known as “hallucinations”). This made her work unreliable. Additionally, she failed to cite the AI tool, despite using its wording directly.
What Could Sasha Have Done Instead?
She should have used the AI output as a draft, verified each reference using trusted sources, and cited both the AI tool and any real sources she included.
Video Resources on AI Citation (APA & MLA)