Using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Assessments

It is important to cite and acknowledge the use of GenAI technology if you have used it in an assessment. This helps to ensure the academic integrity of your work. It is important to check if GenAI is permitted for each assessment task and how it is to be used and acknowledged.

The UOW Referencing and Citing Guide provides guidance on acknowledging the use of GenAI in assessments. 

For assessments where the use of GenAI technology is permitted or expected, it is important to use it ethically and critically, equally recognising its capabilities and limitations. For example:

• Generative AI is not a substitute for decision-making: GenAI should complement, not replace, your critical thinking and decision-making skills.  
• Output quality depends on prompts: The quality of GenAI outputs is influenced by prompting. Poorly constructed or unclear prompts may generate outputs that are incorrect.  
• Fact verification is essential: GenAI outputs can be fabricated, presenting inaccurate information or contain harmful bias. Verify all GenAI outputs against reliable sources. Watch this short UOW Library YouTube video, “How to identify and verify fake references” for guidance.  
• Protect data and copyright: Many GenAI technologies collect information in ways that breach privacy and data protection provisions, particularly where the source material is confidential or subject to copyright. Please check the Terms and Conditions of GenAI technologies and if unsure, contact UOW Copyright Guidance. Learn more about how to access UOW secured GenAI tools here.
• Transparency in use: Where required, you must acknowledge GenAI use, including providing prompt histories and detailing how GenAI was utilised.  
• Thoughtful and appropriate application: Be mindful of when and how to use GenAI tools. Assess its appropriateness for each use, and refrain from use when not suitable.  

The UOW Digital Skills Hub provides further guidance on using Generative AI tools well.

Hear the all-important UOW student voice on GenAI in education: 

• Student Spotlight: Navigating the use of GenAI in a Case Study assessment
• Student perspectives: The impacts of GenAI
• Student ambassador perspectives: The impacts of GenAI

Many GenAI technologies collect information in ways that breach privacy and data protection provisions, particularly where the source material is confidential or subject to copyright. Please check the Terms and Conditions of GenAI technologies and if unsure, contact UOW Copyright Guidance.

In assessments where GenAI is permitted or expected, your Subject Coordinator may provide instructions on the GenAI technology to be used. Always follow assessment instructions. 

In circumstances where GenAI is permitted or expected and there are no instructions on the GenAI technology to be used, UOW account holders can access Microsoft Copilot with commercial data protection. 

As part of the University’s Microsoft account, institutional (or commercial) data protection allows students to interact with Copilot in a manner where Microsoft or other parties do not retain prompts or responses beyond the browser session or until a new chat topic is created. When logged in with an account entitled to commercial data protection, confirmation of this protection can be found as a green badge in the top right corner of the screen stating “Protected”.

IMTS has detailed information about using Microsoft Copilot safely and without cost via your UOW account.

Misuse of GenAI technology in assessments includes using GenAI in assessments where it is prohibited or using it beyond the limitations set out in the assessment instructions. Misuse of GenAI in assessments constitutes academic misconduct (as specified by University Policy) and may result in an academic misconduct investigation with a range of possible consequences. 

It is important to:

• check if GenAI technology is permitted for each assessment task and how it is to be used and acknowledged.
• keep note of your interactions with GenAI technology, where applicable, and drafts of your work because your Subject Coordinator may
• ask you to demonstrate how you developed an assessment item.
• ask your Subject Coordinator if you are unsure of assessment instructions

UOW Tutors and Subject Coordinators can identify the suspected misuse (for example, the use of GenAI in assessments where prohibited) by looking for key features of AI-generated text such as:

• Extremely formal ‘professional’ language that does not reflect students’ competency in English and/or previous written submissions.
• Vague, superficial responses with limited (or no) use of personal, reflective or evaluative statements.
• Overly general statements and/or irrelevant information that does not directly answer the question.
• Repetition of concepts throughout the text.
• Unverifiable, or hallucinated, and/or irrelevant references.

The Exams Office can identify the misuse of GenAI in assessments where prohibited in online Proctorio-invigilated exams.

Misuse of GenAI in assessments where prohibited constitutes academic misconduct (as specified by University Policy). If your assessment is reported, your Subject Coordinator or the Exams Office (depending on the type of assessment) will:

1. Gather and review evidence to determine if there is a case of academic misconduct. 
2. Notify you via email of the allegation and provide an opportunity for you to respond; you may be asked to explain how you developed an assessment item so it’s a good idea to keep note of your interactions with GenAI technology, where applicable, and drafts of your work.
3. Consider your response and make a determination based on the strength of the evidence available and the balance of probabilities.

AskUOW provides more guidance on What happens if I've been reported for academic misconduct? 

Students can access advice and support for academic misconduct matters through the Student Advocacy Service.