Upholding Ethical Standards at the International Open University (IOU)
At IOU, academic integrity is a foundational value that governs all scholarly work. With the rise of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others, it is essential for students, faculty, and researchers to understand how to use these technologies ethically and responsibly.
What Does Academic Integrity Mean in the Age of AI?
Academic integrity at IOU involves producing original work, properly crediting all sources, and avoiding plagiarism or misrepresentation. The use of AI tools must align with these principles.
- Honest disclosure of any AI assistance in academic work
- Clear explanation of how AI tools were used
- Proper citation of AI-generated text, ideas, or data
- Adherence to course or department-specific AI policies
Note: If you are unsure whether AI use is permitted in a specific assignment, always consult your instructor.
When Does AI Use Violate Academic Integrity?
Use of AI tools may constitute a violation of IOU’s academic integrity policy in the following cases:
- Submitting AI-generated content without proper disclosure or citation
- Failing to attribute paraphrased or summarized content produced by AI
- Using AI to bypass independent analysis, research, or critical thinking
- Uploading sensitive, copyrighted, or restricted material to AI tools
- Using AI in exams or assignments where it is explicitly not allowed
Ethical Use of AI Tools at IOU
Acceptable Uses (with proper citation and permission):
- Brainstorming ideas and outlining content
- Enhancing grammar, clarity, and academic tone
- Rephrasing or summarizing existing academic sources
- Creating example code or content for study purposes
- Generating topic ideas or research questions
Unacceptable Uses:
- Submitting AI-generated work as your own
- Using AI during quizzes, exams, or assessments (unless permitted)
- Presenting AI-generated arguments, essays, or analysis without credit
IOU Recommendations for Students and Faculty
- Disclose how AI was used in your assignment or paper
- Cite AI tools correctly using APA, MLA, or Chicago style
- Include your AI prompts and the responses in an appendix if needed
- Maintain academic rigor by verifying, analyzing, and improving any AI-generated content
Need Help?
If you're unsure how to use or cite AI in your academic work, contact:
