While generative AI tools can be used responsibly and ethically in dissertations, theses and capstones, inappropriate use of these tools may prevent graduate students from gaining domain knowledge, thinking critically, and developing disciplinary skills, all of which are important parts of graduate training. This policy aims to guide students on the proper use of generative AI in dissertations, theses and capstones.

• Students are permitted to use generative AI tools in the following ways:
  • Evaluating research ideas from students
  • Grammar checking / minor language improvements
  • Obtaining further information about methods based on initial ideas from students
  • Generating initial code for data processing, which is then verified and revised by the student
  • Other appropriate use approved by the primary advisor. If in doubt whether a particular use is allowed, please ask.
    
    
• Students are not permitted to use generative AI tools in the following ways:
  • Using generative AI to directly generate research questions used in dissertations, theses and capstones
  • Incorporating large paragraphs of texts substantially generated by AI into dissertations, theses and capstones
  • Using generative AI to fabricate results, citations, and references
  • Submitting confidential or sensitive research data to external generative AI for analysis
  • Other inappropriate use listed by the primary advisor. When in doubt, please ask.

Students are required to fully declare and disclose their use of generative AI in dissertations, theses and capstones. The disclosure statement should be in a separate section, and it should start with “I attest that any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of this document has been fully disclosed. All substantive ideas, analyses, interpretations, and conclusions are my own unless otherwise cited.”

Then, the statement should provide information about: (1) which generative AI tool(s) was used; (2) how the AI tool(s) was used; (3) whether the student has reviewed and verified the AI-generated content.

The statement should end with “I take full responsibility for all the content in this dissertation/thesis/capstone.”

An example statement can look like this:

“I attest that any use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of this document has been fully disclosed. All substantive ideas, analyses, interpretations, and conclusions are my own unless otherwise cited. During the preparation of this dissertation, I used ChatGPT for editing grammar of some sentences and generating example code for processing data. I reviewed and verified all AI-generated content, and revised a majority of such content. I take full responsibility for all the content in this dissertation.”

Students may also choose to include the details of using generative AI tools (e.g., prompts used) in the appendix of the dissertation, thesis, and capstone, upon discussion and agreement with their primary advisor.

Failure to follow the generative AI use policy constitutes a violation of academic integrity and may result in corresponding sanctions as explained in UB’s academic integrity policies.

Students should also get familiar with UB’s policies related to AI use and academic integrity.