University policy and actions

The Office of the Provost and the Academic Board have developed a statement that clarifies the policy relating to the use of AI tools by students to produce assessment materials. The statement makes clear that if a student submits work created and /or significantly modified by AI tools for assessment as if it was their own, then this may constitute academic misconduct and will be subject to the usual academic misconduct procedures of the University.

This does not prevent students from using these tools but if a student does use AI generated material in the preparation of their assessment submission, this must be appropriately acknowledged and cited in accordance with the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Guidance has been provided to students on how to do this appropriately.

As of Semester 1, 2024 all commencing coursework students are asked to complete academic integrity education modules which include guidance on the appropriate use of generative AI. For undergraduate students this is a requirement and part of the Joining Melbourne Modules. Graduate coursework students are automatically enrolled in and encouraged to complete the Graduate Cornerstones of Good Scholarship module.

As of April 2023, the University has been using Turnitin’s AI detector tool. The tool aims to identify passages potentially generated by AI by looking for highly predictable language patterns. It sits within Turnitin’s similarity report function and is not currently visible to students (a limitation of the tool). As with similarity reports, high AI detector scores are not proof that misconduct has taken place. Please see the University guidance on using the detector tool for more information.

More generally, the Office of Student Academic Integrity is working with the DVC Academic and the Academic Board to review the University’s policies and processes with regard to student academic integrity.