My AI/LLM classroom policies

 (The first draft of my AI/LLM policies for my students. I work with High School students in Newark, NJ, teaching college courses for credit. I am an English Professor with 25+ yrs working experience)

Professor Berk's Policies in Regards AI/LLM Tools.

What is AI?

For the purpose of this, my concerns are for two specific applications of AI/LLM technology when it comes to your time in my class. I am unconcerned with the use of spellcheck or grammar check functions you may use in a given word processing program. First: The use of AI/LLM to write or assist in writing an assignment for class via use of generating text based on student prompts is strictly forbidden. Any student found to have done so will have the assignment in question automatically failed, will be given a single warning, and permitted to resubmit their own work in a timely fashion. Should the infraction occur again, you will be expelled from the class. Second: Students are instructed in the strongest possible terms to avoid consulting AI/LLM generated materials or summaries as a substitution for assigned readings or even as a supplement for readings for the purposes of research. Citations or references relying on such materials will be immediately disqualified and not considered a part of any requirements for a given assignment.

But what about...

Just don't. Please don't look for clever exceptions, corner cases, or operate under the mistaken impression that it is better to get forgiveness than permission. Don't seek to argue for why these policies should be changed or debate the merits of the use of AI/LLM. These points are not up for debate when it comes to class policies. Please do not doubt my resolve or seriousness in this.

But why?

First, it is my policy that the use of AI/LLM in essay or assignment composition is plagiarism and as a result is a basic violation of ethical practices in this learning environment. To imagine it simply, replace the efforts of an AI/LLM tool to write your assignment with if you got a person like a parent, tutor, or someone else to perform the work instead. That would be plagiarism and would be unacceptable. So to is using a program to do your writing and pass it off as your own creation.

Second, AI/LLM tools undermine the two key skills which our time together is focused on improving in every student. It undermines critical thinking and it undermines personal expression as it removes both tasks from the student's hands and gives them to an outside agent to perform. Ongoing evidence is showing that the use of these tools over time degrade these skills, and therefore defeat the entire educational purpose of our time together.

Third, AI/LLM are just poor tools overall at this level of work. The output they generate is poorly conceived, often full of factual errors and is quite simply not work anyone should be willing to claim is their own.

I am aware that other teachers or professors may have different policies that may be more permissive or forgiving. I don't care. These are the policies you will adhere to in my class.

Prof Berk.