Generative AI use Policy

1. Introduction

• What is Generative AI: Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI or GenAI) is an advanced technology that uses automatic learning algorithms to generate texts, images, codes and other content automatically and creatively. This fast-moving technology is based on extensively trained machine learning models and has become a powerful tool in a wide range of applications.

 At the time of writing, examples of Generative Artificial Intelligence include GPT-4, Midjourney, LLaMA and Bard.

2. The Need for a Policy

• Constructive Use: POLIMI Graduate School of Management recognises that Generative AI can be an opportunity to improve learning and increase inventiveness among students. It can be used to generate innovative teaching material and stimulate creativity.  
• Improper Use: Nevertheless, we must set clear guidelines to avoid the improper use of Generative AI. Examples of improper use are the production of deceptive content, plagiarism and the unethical manipulation of information. The aim of this policy is to prevent such abuse.

3. Responsible Use

• Ethics and Integrity: The use of Generative AI implies a high level of ethical responsibility. Students must avoid producing or diffusing deceptive, offensive or harmful content that could damage the reputation of the educational institution or breach its core ethical principles. Generative AI must be used to promote learning and creativity in an ethical and respectful way. 
• Promoting Active Learning: The objective is to promote active and rigorous learning. An improper use of Generative AI can discourage students from developing their own skills and abilities. A key point is that Generative AI can be an auxiliary tool to enrich learning but should never totally replace the students’ original work.
• Evaluating Originality: When producing educational content, students must be able to demonstrate their competence and creativity. An excessive use of Generative AI can make it difficult for teachers to evaluate the originality of their work. Students should use this technology in a way such that their personal work can be recognised and appraised. 
• Respect the Terms of Use: Generative AI is often provided by third-party platforms or services, each of which has its own rules and terms of use. Users must observe these terms and conditions rigorously to avoid legal sanctions or breaches to the platform’s policies. Additionally, respecting the terms of use helps to protect the users’ intellectual property and privacy.

4. Transparency (Declaration and Prompts)

• Teachers’ Authorisation: Students must respect the teachers’ decisions about the use of Generative AI in lessons or during examinations. In general, it is up to the teachers to decide whether it is allowed or not. 
• Compulsory Declaration: Students are required to follow the teachers’ instructions on the use of Generative AI during exams. If they are allowed to use Generative AI, they must record where and how in their work, indicating the prompts they gave and the replies received.
• Responsible Use: Students are responsible for the content created using Generative AI during exams and other assignments. They must guarantee that the replies generated are appropriate to the demands of the task and comply with ethical principles.

5. Improper and unauthorized use of Generative AI: responsibility and sanctioning consequences

• 5.1. The use of Generative AI tools within the POLIMI GSoM educational paths in a way that does not comply with the provisions of this policy qualifies to all intents and purposes as a breach of a contractual obligation on the part of the student and, as such, it is connected with a precise sanctioning process.
• 5.2. Therefore, with respect to the violations described in this Policy and listed below:

1. behavior in violation of art. 3.1 (failure to respect ethical principles)
2. behavior in violation of art. 3.3 (the student's personal contribution provided through the AI tool is not recognizable or assessable and is subject to charges of plagiarism/non-authenticity)
3. behavior in violation of art. 3.4 (non-compliance with the terms and conditions of third-party platforms)
4. behavior in violation of artt. 4.1 and 4.2 (failure of the teacher to authorize the use of the Generative AI tool)
5. behavior in violation of art. 4.3 (content of the assignment not adequate to the teacher's request)

This Policy provides for the following sanctioning procedure:

• POLIMI GSoM will send a first formal warning letter from the Course Director, with the request to the student to immediately remedy the breach;
• The student may repeat the exam - to which the breach is directly related - once at most;
• If the retake of the exam is also unsuccessful - for whatever reason - POLIMI GSoM will send the student a second formal warning letter, advising the student that the Course Direction will meet to evaluate his/her position and, at the same time, the possible expulsion of the student from the program.