How to use ChatGPT responsibly

ChatGPT is part of OpenAI, a US-based start-up. OpenAI is a pioneer in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.

GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Trasformer, a language model. GPT analyses texts and trains itself. In addition, Chat GPT learns from humans. This allows it to make text suggestions to the user based on analysis predictions. ChatGPT can help you with your studies. This page will guide you through things that you need to consider as a learner when using ChatGPT.

ChatGPT and privacy

ChatGPT’s data is processed and stored on US servers and must comply with privacy laws and regulations applicable there. These regulations are considerably broader than European laws and regulations.

OpenAI’s Privacy Policy (2022) states that information may be collected about you. They may collect information about your visit, how you use the services and the interactions you have. Your IP address, location and devices used ae also recorded, (among other things). Your information can (and will) be used to maintain, improve and analyse the tool(s). In simple words, your input will be used to train the language model. It is therefore important that you do not enter personal information about yourself, others or companies without explicit permission.

For full privacy proof use, using a dummy email address that cannot be traced back to you as an individual, in combination with a VPN service, is recommended.

Fraud

In all assessments, you are expected to write the text yourself. Using ChatGPT for texts that you must write yourself is a form of fraud. Using ChatGPT as a buddy for feedback is often not a problem, but copying things, without referencing the information to Chat GPT, certainly is! If you have doubts about whether you are permitted to use ChatGPT, talk to your tutor to ensure you are using ChatGPT with integrity.

ChatGPT in the classroom

Pathway Group’s tutors are required to take your privacy rights seriously. Therefore, they cannot obligate you to use ChatGPT for your study because as soon as you use it, information about you in collected in a way that does not comply with European laws and regulations. Of course, they may challenge or stimulate you or use ChatGPT with you in class, as long as no privacy-sensitive information is used in the process.

The use of AI may pose significant risks when completing qualification assessments. They have been developed to produce responses based upon the statistical likelihood of the language selected being an appropriate response and so the responses cannot be relied upon. AI chatbots often produce answers which may seem convincing but contain incorrect or biased information. Some AI chatbots have been identified as providing dangerous and harmful answers to questions and some can also produce fake references to books/ articles by real or fake people

There are endless (meaningful) ways ChatGPT can help you. It is important to keep in mind that ChatGPT is not an expert. Your fellow learners and tutors often are. So, discuss with them what you have found on ChatGPT; challenge and assess the information you have been given by AI.

Needless to say, it is always important to put your own learning first. In a professional capacity, you must be able to act in complex situations and justify your actions. Justifying that you did it a certain way because ChatGPT told you so will not gain much support, so stay sharp and boost your learning instead of jeopardising it.

Misusing AI/ChatGPT

In line with the rules stated in section 5.3(j) of the JCQ General Regulations for Approved Centres, it’s important that you submit your own work for assessments. This means creating your final work using your own words and ideas, rather than copying from other sources like AI tools. The content should reflect your independent effort and understanding.

When working on assessments, you are expected to show what you personally know and understand about the subject. This includes meeting the goals set out in the qualification requirements. Using AI tools in a way that doesn’t demonstrate your own skills and understanding could be considered improper behaviour.

AI tools can only be used when the assessment guidelines allow internet use, and you can show that the final work is entirely your own, based on your own thinking and work.

Examples of misusing AI/ChatGPT include:

Copying or rephrasing AI-generated content so that it no longer represents your own work.
Using entire AI-generated responses as your own.
Using AI to complete parts of the assessment that should show the learner’s own analysis, evaluation, or calculations.
Not acknowledging the use of AI as a source of information.
Poorly or incompletely acknowledging AI tools.
Submitting work with incomplete or misleading references.

Misusing AI is considered improper conduct and falls under the definition of malpractice according to the JCQ Suspected Malpractice: Policies and Procedures. Penalties for actions like making false statements or plagiarism can include being disqualified and barred from taking qualifications for a certain period. If a learner relies on AI to complete an assessment and this doesn’t accurately show their own work and understanding, their grades might also be affected.

Acknowledging AI/ChatGPT Use

According to JCQ guidelines, it remains essential that you are clear about the importance of referencing the sources you have used when producing work for an assessment, and that you know how to do this.

Appropriate referencing is a means of demonstrating academic integrity and is key to maintaining the integrity of assessments. If you use an AI tool which provides details of the sources it has used in generating content, these sources must be verified by the learner and referenced in their work in the normal way. Where an AI tool does not provide such details, you should ensure that you independently verify the AI-generated content – and then reference the sources you have used.

In addition to the above, where you use AI, you must acknowledge its use and show clearly how you have used it. This allows tutors and assessors to review how AI has been used and whether that use was appropriate in the context of the particular assessment. This is particularly important given that AI-generated content is not subject to the same academic scrutiny as other published sources.

Where AI tools have been used as a source of information, you must:

Show the name of the AI source used and should show the date the content was generated. For example: ChatGPT 3.5 (https://openai.com/ blog/chatgpt/), 25/01/2023.
Retain a copy of the question(s) and computer-generated content for reference and authentication purposes, in a non-editable format (such as a screenshot) and provide a brief explanation of how it has been used.
Submit this along with your work so that your tutor is able to review the work, the AI-generated content and how it has been used.

Where this is not submitted, and the tutor suspects that the learner has used AI tools, the tutor will need to consult the centre’s malpractice policy for appropriate next steps and should take action to assure themselves that the work is your own.

Help and advice

If you are unsure of how to use ChatGPT and any other AI chatbot responsibly, please contact your tutor who will support you with any questions that you may have.