Student Guide to Generative AI in Academic Work
As a student, you're navigating a rapidly changing landscape where generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others are becoming part of daily life. This guide will help you use these tools responsibly and successfully in your academic work while developing the critical thinking and communication skills that are uniquely yours.
What Counts as Generative AI?
Generative AI (GAI) refers to tools that create new content based on prompts. This includes:
- Text generators: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot Chat
- Image generators: DALL-E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion
- Advanced writing features in familiar tools
The Gray Area: Writing Assistance vs. AI Generation
Many tools you're already familiar with are becoming more sophisticated:
When in doubt: Ask yourself, "Is this tool fixing my mistakes or writing new content for me?" If it's the latter, treat it as generative AI.
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