Generative AI Usage Principles
Middle East Technical University
Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Principles
METU's roadmap for the ethical, responsible, and academic integrity-based use of Generative AI technologies.
METU, as a deep-rooted university pioneering technology and scientific developments, is aware of the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies in academic, scientific, and administrative activities and supports their ethical use. This usage principles document, prepared based on the "Ethical Guide on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research and Publication Activities of Higher Education Institutions" published by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in May 2024, aims to ensure that all stakeholders within our university use GenAI technologies ethically, responsibly, and within the framework of academic integrity.
These principles provide flexibility on how GenAI technologies can be used in different disciplines, while also aiming to present a practical roadmap and supporting the “METU Honor Code.”
Definition of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)
Generative Artificial Intelligences refer to AI systems that can produce seemingly new and meaningful content such as text, visuals, audio, or code through patterns learned from training data. These systems use machine learning algorithms to generate outputs similar to the data they were trained on. Examples of GenAI include large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, as well as visual generation systems like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, and other tools developed to produce various outputs.
Important Note:
Although GenAI's ability to cite external sources is improving, these tools carry the risk of occasionally producing factually incorrect results as they are trained on existing written content.
General Principles
1. Transparency
Transparency is essential in the use of GenAI tools. The use of GenAI in academic studies, educational processes, and research must be clearly stated.
2. Academic Integrity
GenAI tools must be used in accordance with the principles of academic integrity. These tools should be seen as supportive of original thinking and idea generation processes, never used for plagiarism or academic deception.
3. Data Security and Privacy
The use of personal, institutional, or sensitive data in GenAI tools must comply with data security and privacy principles. It is essential not to enter sensitive data into public GenAI tools.
4. Ethical Use
GenAI tools must be used in accordance with ethical values, human rights, and academic impartiality. The generation of biased, misleading, or manipulative content must be avoided.
5. Critical Evaluation
The content and suggestions provided by GenAI tools must be evaluated with a critical perspective and checked for accuracy and reliability. In academic outputs, the compliance of the GenAI contribution with scientific standards must be ensured.
6. Interdisciplinary Flexibility
The use of GenAI may require different standards in different disciplines. Therefore, faculty or department-based guidelines may be published, and sample applications and best practices may be shared, provided they do not conflict with our university's generative AI usage principles.
7. Legal and Institutional Compliance
The use of GenAI must comply with YÖK guidelines, KVKK (Personal Data Protection Law), intellectual property law, and METU's existing academic integrity, ethics, and IT policies. Uses contrary to copyright, data privacy, and ethical rules are subject to disciplinary procedures. Students may be held responsible under the METU Academic Integrity Guide if GenAI use is not appropriately declared.
Usage Principles by Role
Principles for Faculty Members
- Education-Instruction Design: Faculty members can use GenAI tools to enrich course content, develop teaching materials, and design teaching methods that cater to different learning styles.
- Measurement and Evaluation: GenAI tools can be used as an auxiliary tool in preparing exams and assignments, but the reliability and validity of measurement and evaluation processes must always be the priority.
- Evaluation of Student Work: Faculty members can support students' use of GenAI in assignments and projects to the extent permitted and by clearly stating the manner of use (e.g., in course syllabi).
- Transparency Responsibility: Faculty members must clearly state at the beginning of the course in which course activities GenAI use is permitted, in which it is restricted, and the evaluation criteria.
- Academic Compliance: To ensure that GenAI use complies with academic ethics, copyright, and institutional regulations, faculty members should provide sample applications and check students' declarations.
Principles for Students
- Use in Academic Work: Students can use GenAI tools in their academic work within the rules set by the course instructor. The scope and manner of use must be clearly stated by the student.
- Use as a Learning Support Tool: GenAI tools can be used to understand complex topics, develop different perspectives, and support the learning process.
- Developing Original Thought: Students should use GenAI tools as an assistant to develop their own original thoughts and critically evaluate the content produced by these tools.
- Citation Responsibility: GenAI tools cannot be cited as authors in academic studies as they cannot bear will or responsibility. [...] It is the student's responsibility to verify the accuracy of the content obtained using GenAI, cite from appropriate sources, and present it according to citation rules.
- Data Security Awareness: Students must pay attention to the security of personal or sensitive data when using GenAI tools and avoid sharing such data on public GenAI platforms.
Principles for Researchers
- Use in the Research Process: Researchers can use GenAI tools as an auxiliary tool in processes such as literature review, data analysis, hypothesis development, and research design.
- Transparency in Scientific Publications: Researchers must transparently state the use of GenAI in their scientific publications, explaining at which stages and to what extent it was used.
- Data Security and Privacy: The use of research data in GenAI tools must be within the framework of data security, privacy, and ethical rules. Particular care must be taken in research involving sensitive or personal data.
- Verification: Content or analyses produced by GenAI tools must be verified by scientific methods. The outputs of these tools must be critically evaluated and checked for compliance with scientific standards.
- Collaboration and Sharing: Researchers should contribute to the development of knowledge in this field by sharing their experiences and knowledge gained in the use of GenAI with the academic community.
Definitions and Limits in Use for Students
Situations Considered Plagiarism
Use Without Citation
Using content generated by GenAI without verifying its accuracy with reliable sources and without proper citation according to academic integrity rules.
Fabrication of Fake Sources
GenAI creating non-existent academic sources, citations, or data and presenting them as real.
Unauthorized Use
Using GenAI to complete assignments, exams, or any form of assessment without the explicit permission of the instructor.
Bypassing Original Thought
Using GenAI in a way that completely bypasses the student's learning process and their own analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking skills.
Lack of Transparency
Failing to declare the use of GenAI in assignments where its use is permitted but must be reported.
Situations Not Considered Plagiarism
Use as a Supportive Tool
Using GenAI for technical support purposes such as grammar corrections, literature search, or format editing (e.g., Grammarly, Semantic Scholar).
Idea Development and Drafting
Using GenAI for brainstorming, outlining, or simplifying complex concepts. (However, the generated content must be verified with reliable sources and cited appropriately).
Clearly Declared Use
Transparently reporting the use of GenAI to the extent permitted by the instructor.
Educational Experiments
Using GenAI for comparative analysis or developing technology literacy under the guidance of instructors.
Procedure to Follow in Suspicious Cases
Automatic Detection Systems
GenAI outputs will be scanned with tools like Turnitin and iThenticate, but these results alone will not be accepted as the sole evidence.
Example: In studies where a high AI similarity is detected, the student will have the right to defense.
Human-Machine Collaborative Evaluation
Instructors will conduct a human-machine collaborative evaluation based on the text's structure, argument quality, and consistency with the student's past work.
Example: Comparison of language and argument quality with the student's previous work.
Appeal and Reconciliation Mechanisms
In suspicious cases, a meeting with the student will be held, and notes documenting the tools and production process used by the student may be requested.
Example: The student's right and responsibility to present drafts or research processes documenting GenAI use.
Preventive Measures and Training
Artificial Intelligence Literacy
Seminars and online modules will be implemented in all departments to improve GenAI literacy.
Declaration Forms
Declaration forms or templates regarding the use of GenAI will be used in assignments and projects.
Examinations
Original contributions will be measured by promoting open-ended questions, project-based assignments, and creative content production.
These principles, prepared in alignment with METU's academic integrity principles, YÖK guidelines, and international ethical standards, are designed to anticipate problems that may arise in the field of application and to offer solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In which situations can I use generative AI tools?
Unless otherwise specified by the course instructor, you may use GenAI tools for learning support, formatting, or planning content creation. However, you must always transparently declare your use.
Do I have to cite a text I wrote with generative AI?
Yes, you must cite when using a text written with Generative AI (GenAI). GenAI may not be based on a specific source, and the texts it produces are often not based on verified information. Therefore, before using text generated by GenAI, you must verify it with reliable sources by searching the relevant literature and cite it according to academic integrity rules. The content produced by GenAI should not form the basis of the work; it should only be used to a limited extent, be complementary to the student's original contribution, and be supported by reliable sources.
Is the use of GenAI free during exams or for assignments and projects?
No. The use of GenAI in exams or for assignments and projects is only possible if the instructor has given explicit permission. Otherwise, such use is considered a violation of academic integrity.
Are the answers given by GenAI always correct?
No. GenAI tools can sometimes provide incorrect, incomplete, or fabricated information. Therefore, the accuracy of the information provided must always be checked.
What happens if GenAI use is detected?
If inappropriate or undeclared GenAI use is detected, the student will be evaluated by the relevant unit. If necessary, a disciplinary investigation may be initiated.
Which GenAI tools does the university recommend?
METU recommends using tools that process user data securely and comply with ethical use principles.
Where can I get more information about GenAI use?
You can access the guides and seminar recordings prepared by the METU Distance Education Application and Research Center and the Computer Center, and get support from advisory boards.
© Middle East Technical University
These principles are a reflection of METU's commitment to technology and its values of academic integrity.