KU Leuven goes for the responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in research and education
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is the collective name for algorithms that can create new content (text, code, images,…). The best known is probably ChatGPT. Technology offers enormous opportunities, but also challenges us and will in any case play an important role in the jobs, education and research of the future. That is why KU Leuven is looking at it with an open mind and wants to integrate technology into its research and education within a clear and responsible framework, with an eye for the possibilities and pitfalls.
Generative Artificial Intelligence can already simplify and accelerate certain tasks in scientific research. But it must be handled responsibly and critically, and one must be aware of its limitations and risks. KU Leuven has now prepared a guideline that gives researchers a clear framework for dealing with GenAI. This makes the university a pioneer in Europe.
Brainstorming about research ideas, drawing up a literature study, writing a project plan, visualizing research results, … these are all research steps for which researchers can use GenAI.
“Transparency about the use and verification of the output remain crucial. An important point for attention is, for example, the handling of personal data or confidential information from research data. After all, the security and confidentiality of data entered on AI platforms is not guaranteed.”
Jan D’Hooge, Vice Rector for Research
The guidelines for researchers point out these points for attention. A critical attitude towards the output and a correct reference to the source remain crucial. The framework for researchers is therefore in line with that for students, which was drawn up in the light of the examination period. The guidelines for researchers are also particularly important for students when, for example, they participate in projects, research papers or master’s theses.
Assignments and master’s theses
Students at KU Leuven can also use GenAI tools when making assignments or master’s theses. KU Leuven sees it as its task to train students in the responsible use of these applications, who also quickly find their way into the professional field. Clear guidelines should help them use AI correctly. They are also of great importance with a view to a correct examination process, because a correct assessment of a student’s competences remains central.
Article 84 of the Education and Examination Regulations previously allowed the university to take action against the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence that would prevent correct evaluation:
“Any behavior of individual students that makes it impossible or attempts to make impossible a correct assessment of the knowledge, understanding and/or skills of themselves or of other students, in whole or in part, is considered an irregularity that may give rise to a appropriate sanction”, according to the regulations.
Therefore, if the use of GenAI makes or tries to make a correct assessment of the knowledge, understanding or skills of the student (partially) impossible, this is considered abuse according to the definition of an ‘irregularity’.
But that does not mean that the use of GenAI is discouraged. Transparency and consultation with teachers are and will remain essential. More concretely, a student can use GenAI to improve or rework a self-written text, without adding content. Or GenAI can serve as a search engine to collect information. If a teacher explicitly allows it, a student may also have GenAI write a piece of code. But if generated output is taken literally, the source must always be correctly displayed, in the text and in the reference list.
“The most important advice remains: consultation with the lecturer or supervisor. For certain assignments or exams, it can also explicitly indicate that GenAI use is not allowed. We also insist that students should be critical of GenAI output. We know that the applications sometimes play tricks on the truth.”
Tine Baelmans, Vice Rector for Education Policy
In addition, the university will also check for unauthorized use. Lecturers can ask students for an extra oral explanation to gauge their knowledge or to explain the creation of passages. The plagiarism software used by the university is also constantly evolving and screens for the use of GenAI.
“These guidelines are based on the current state of this technology, but we are aware that it is evolving at a rapid pace. Our guidelines will evolve in the future and will be adapted where necessary. With the support of our KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence, we want to gradually look at the possibilities and risks in the longer term, but always with an open mind.”