Navigating AI as a Student at PSU: An FAQ

What is PSU's official policy on using AI for my classes? PSU takes an instructor-first approach to AI use by students for course work. Faculty have broad discretion to set the rules for acceptable AI use in their own courses they teach. What is encouraged in one class might be strictly forbidden in another. Always check your syllabus and ask your instructor to understand what is allowed for each specific course and assignment.

What counts as "unauthorized use" or academic misconduct? Under Section 9 of the PSU Code of Student Conduct, all submitted work must be your own original work unless you clearly acknowledge the sources or have explicit authorization from your instructor. Using AI tools without prior explicit authorization is considered cheating (using unauthorized materials) or plagiarism (submitting work that isn't yours without attribution).

What happens if I misuse AI? If an instructor suspects unauthorized AI use, it is considered a potential violation of the Code of Student Conduct. The matter may be referred to the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution for formal review, which could result in disciplinary action.

Does PSU provide access to any AI tools? Yes! PSU provides all students with enterprise-grade access to Google Gemini and NotebookLM. You can access these tools simply by logging in with your standard pdx.edu Odin account.

What are some good ways to use AI for learning in my classes? When explicitly permitted by your instructors, AI can be an excellent tool for authentic learning. Here are some ways to use it:

• Generate Study Materials: You can upload your course documents (like PDFs, slides, or notes) into NotebookLM and ask it to automatically generate study guides, mind maps, or even podcast-style audio overviews.
• Beat Procrastination & Overwhelm: You can use AI as a planning tool to break down large, complex assignments into smaller, manageable chunks to help you get started.
• Brainstorming & Practice: AI can make a great practice partner to help you prepare for oral exams, or a brainstorming partner to help you generate project ideas. When doing this, though, be mindful of the fact that AI may try to do the work for you, which means you will have to be careful and stay committed to maintaining boundaries.

Why should I use my pdx.edu account instead of a personal account? When you log into Gemini or NotebookLM using your Portland State University (@pdx.edu) account, your data is protected by enterprise-grade terms. This means Google will not use the data and documents you enter to train their large language models (LLMs) or for human review. Most free, personal versions of these tools do use your data for training, meaning your information does not remain private.

What is the "Poster Rule"? Even with protections in place, PSU's Office of Information Technology recommends following the "Poster Rule": Do not share any information with an Al tool that you wouldn't be willing to display on a poster in a public building. Always protect restricted and confidential information.

Who is responsible if the Al makes a mistake? You are 100% responsible for the accuracy of your submissions. Generative Al tools frequently produce "hallucinations"— statements that sound highly confident but are entirely false. If you submit Al-generated errors, they will be treated as your factual errors. Always fact-check Al outputs against reliable sources.

Do I need to cite Al if I use it? Yes. If you use Al-generated text, data, or ideas, you must properly cite it to give appropriate attribution. Because Al citation guidelines (like APA and MLA) change very rapidly, always refer to the PSU Library's citation guide for generative Al for the most current formatting rules.

Can I list Al as a co-author on my work? No. Academic authorship requires substantial intellectual contribution, independent judgment, and ethical accountability. Because Al cannot take responsibility for its output, it can never be credited as an author.

Should I talk to my advisor before using Al? Absolutely. You should always err on the side of caution and consult with your thesis or dissertation advisor before investing time and effort into using Al. Because PSU requires students to have prior explicit authorization before using Al tools for academic work, proactively agreeing on acceptable use will protect your academic integrity and ensure your research aligns with your program's standards.

Are there specific Al rules for graduate theses and dissertations? Yes. GenAl can be a valuable tool for graduate students, but responsible and ethical use demands transparency. If you use generative Al to assist with your thesis or dissertation, you must clearly and informatively disclose its use.

How do I disclose my Al use? Depending on your field and thesis format, you might disclose this in your Materials and Methods section, your Acknowledgments, via footnotes, or in a separate statement. Your disclosure must detail the specific Al tools you used, the extent of their involvement (e.g., text generation, data analysis, or editing), and the purpose of using them.

Where can I go if I need more help with Al? Portland State University has dedicated teams ready to support you.

• SAILS (Student Al Learning Support): Contact the SAILS team for guidance on how to use Al effectively for authentic learning, skill-building, and research.
• OIT Help Desk: For technical issues, Odin account troubleshooting, or help accessing PSU's Google Gemini and NotebookLM platforms, visit the PSU Help Center.
• The PSU Library: Reach out to PSU Librarians for expert assistance with citing generative Al, finding credible sources, and using Al for literature reviews.