This policy provides guidelines for the ethical and appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in work submitted to FDE Training. The aim is to maintain integrity, fairness, and promote independent learning while recognizing the role of AI in education.
This policy applies to all students, instructors, and staff at FDE Training and covers all forms of assessment, including assignments, exams, projects, and presentations.
Transparency in AI Usage
• Students must disclose any use of AI tools (e.g., AI-driven writing assistants, code generators, or problem-solving apps) in their assessments.
• The disclosure should include how the tool was used, and the specific tasks where AI contributed. A standard disclosure statement should be provided with each submission, such as:
o “This work was developed with the assistance of [AI Tool], used for [specific tasks such as idea generation, grammar correction, etc.].”
Originality and Critical Thinking
• Students are expected to demonstrate their own knowledge, skills, and understanding in all assessments. AI tools may be used to enhance the learning process but cannot replace the student’s original work.
• AI-generated content cannot be submitted as part of the final assessment unless explicitly permitted by the instructor.
Ethical Use of AI Tools
• Any use of AI that undermines academic integrity will be considered a violation of this policy. This includes, but is not limited to:
o Submitting AI-generated essays, solutions, or work as the student’s own without proper acknowledgment.
o Using AI tools to cheat or bypass the intended learning objectives of the assessment.
• Plagiarism rules apply to AI-generated content as they do to human-generated content.
Approved and Non-Approved Uses
• AI may be used for specific approved purposes, including:
o Grammar checking, language translation, and improving readability.
o Brainstorming and ideation for assignments and projects.
o General assistance with problem-solving.
• AI must not be used to:
o Generate a complete answer to a question, full essays or reports.
o Automatically complete exams or quizzes.
o Produce content that misrepresents a student’s skills or understanding.
Instructor Guidelines
• Instructors should clearly communicate the acceptable and non-acceptable uses of AI tools for each specific assessment. Which may be a reference to this policy document.
• Assessment formats should be designed to prioritize student learning outcomes, ensuring, where practical, that AI cannot substitute key learning objectives.
Consequences of Policy Violation
• Violations of this policy will be handled under FDE Training’s policies and procedures. Depending on the severity of the violation, consequences may include:
o Revision and resubmission of the assignment.
o Deduction of marks or failure of the assessment.
o Formal disciplinary action.
FDE Training will provide appropriate support, where requested, as to the ethical use of AI tools in the context of FDE Training courses.
The procedure for the Appeal of Assessment decisions can be found on the FDE Training Website
Stephen Forde
Managing Director
Issue Date: 31/05/2024 Review Date: 31/05/2025 Ref: FDE-POL-028