The five Gen AI principles

The University of Limerick (UL) as an institution acknowledges the challenges and opportunities brought about by the recent emergence of generative Artificial intelligence. In order to facilitate its adoption, incorporation and use within UL; and also, to appreciate and navigate its limitations and risks, we have proposed a framework of five guiding principles which are applicable to all stakeholders, be they staff, researchers or students.  

The five principles are: 

  1. Generative AI Literacy 

  1. Integrity 

  1. Innovation 

  1. Equity 

  1. Ethical and Secure Use 

These principles allow for the structured implementation of generative artificially intelligent systems across the institution while also remaining committed to the university’s existing strategies and aims. This is ensured as the principles themselves are mapped to the UL Graduate Attributes https://www.ul.ie/ctl/the-ul-graduate-attributes (Agility, Articulateness, Curiosity, Courageousness, Responsibility). It is important to note though, that These are intended to be both abstract and dynamic guiding principles which strive to provide something of a roadmap to all stakeholders within UL, with which to navigate both current and emerging challenges and opportunities, which will inevitably arise as the role of Generative AI within higher education and society as a whole develops. For clarity they will each be outlined under three headings to detail their specific demands, requirements and commitments to specific audiences within the institution. Namely,  

  1. The University as an institution 

  1. Staff (both academic and professional) & Researchers   

  1. Students (both undergraduate & postgraduate)  

University: 

The university of Limerick is committed to the provision of support for all staff, researchers and students to develop their Generative AI literacy. 

Staff and Researchers: 

All Staff and researchers should proactively engage with training and education to enhance their Generative AI literacy if relevant to their role. This will enhance their understanding of this technology and facilitate its integration into research, administrative, teaching, learning and assessment activities. 

Students: 

Students should engage with training and guidance on Generative AI. Responding to and upskilling on technological innovations with curiosity and agility will help students with both their current studies and also to prepare them for the future of work.  

University: 

The University will provide clear frameworks and guidance to support the integration of Generative AI in all domains, be it research, administration or teaching, learning and assessment activities. These frameworks will also help staff and researchers to meet the expectations of professional and statutory regulators. 

Staff and Researchers:  

Staff and researchers should be familiar with the frameworks and guidance in relation to Generative AI where relevant to their role. Applicable national, EU and international legislation should be observed. The integration of Generative AI into research, administrative, teaching, learning and assessment activities should be transparent and reflect the guidelines and policies of the institution.  

Students: 

Acting with integrity is the hallmark of courageous and responsible learners. Students should be aware of and uphold the academic integrity policy of the University and any applicable national, EU and international legislation. Students should also ensure that they are aware of assessment regulations regarding the use of Generative AI when undertaking any assessment. 

University: 

The University will provide information, training and support to encourage adaptation and innovation both research and in teaching, learning and assessment to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to incorporate Generative AI into their pedagogical and andragogical practice. The University will seek to regularly share best practices as the technology and its applications evolve. 

Staff and Researchers: 

Innovations may be required to integrate Generative AI into teaching, learning and assessment practise. Innovations in these activities should continue to reflect the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Professional staff may also benefit from integrating Generative AI into their work. Similarly, Generative AI may support researchers in finding innovative and novel processes and outcome to their work. Staff and researchers should reflect on their current work activities and determine the appropriateness of integrating Generative AI to aid their work, observing the policies of the institution or funding bodies as well as national, EU and international legislation.  

Students: 

It is recognised that innovative use of Generative AI will not only enhance the learning experience for students, supporting the development of agile and curious learners, but also create a learning and assessment environment that has real-world relevance. Students are encouraged to utilise Generative AI as permitted within their studies. 

University: 

The University will strive to support equitable access to Generative AI technologies for all students, staff and researchers to minimise digital inequalities and to support an inclusive learning and working environment.  

Staff and Researchers: 

Teaching, learning, assessment, administrative and research activities should utilise and promote the use of Generative AI that is supported and has been approved by the necessary University governance processes. 

Students: 

Articulate students will highlight inequities in access to and use of Generative AI by participating in discussion with academics and professional staff. 

University: 

The University will provide an environment that supports the ethical and secure use of Generative AI. The University will communicate regulations, policies or guidelines on the ethical and secure use of Generative AI by staff, researchers and students. 

Staff and Researchers: 

Staff and researchers should ensure that they are of the strengths and weaknesses of Generative AI and the ethical challenges and potential security threats posed by this technology. In particular, caution should be exercised with private or confidential information or intellectual property rights when sharing sensitive or protected information with Generative AI tools. Staff and researchers should clearly acknowledge the use of Generative AI within their work and should uphold University, professional and statutory regulator or funding body’s policies, regulations or guidelines in this regard. The individual staff member or researcher remains entirely responsible for their output. 

Students:  

Courageous and articulate students will understand the security threats that unethical use of Generative AI poses to their own learning experience and to the institutions security, specifically data security. Regulations, policies and guidelines relating to the use of Generative AI during the completion of their studies should be observed. 

The use of any tool within the University must be compliant with University policies, including the UL Research Integrity Policy, Data Protection Policy, IT Security Policy, and the Acceptable Usage Policy.  

All tools being used within the University must go through the appropriate approval processes. Tools with a cloud aspect must be approved through the Cloud Governance process. 

The University of Limerick (UL) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity by all students and educators. Any Generative AI tools must be used in an ethical and responsible manner, and in accordance with the Interim Statement on Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct 

The principles have been developed in consultation with: 
- European Commission: Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research (2024). Researchers are encouraged to review this publication and consider the guidance for your research activities. 

 

Many groups have been consulted within the University including: 

  • University of Limerick Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice which has representation from staff and researchers within the University. 

  • The University Learning, Teaching and Assessment Committee (ULTAC) 

  • The University Research Committee (URC) 

  • Academic Council 

  • The Information Technology Division 

If you have any questions about this document, please direct your query as follows: 

  • Questions about Gen AI in relation to teaching, learning or assessment please contact The Academic Integrity Unit: academicintegrity@ul.ie