SH Dec2024 - How to use Generative AI in your studies at Q

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How to use Generative AI in your studies at Queen's University Belfast

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Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content - such as images, text, music, or code - by learning from existing data. Unlike traditional AI, which focuses on recognising patterns and making decisions, Generative AI produces original outputs using models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs). This allows students to use AI not only for analysis but also for creative problem-solving in various fields.

What do we mean by 'Generative AI'?

Okay. So why is that important to me?

Challengeyourself

Employment

Coursework

Tutoring

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Using Generative AI (like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Llama) safely and intentionally as a helper in your studies can bring some great benefits. Use the buttons to explore how Generative AI might be of use to you.

But responsibility in AI use is crucial...

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Academic Misconduct at Queen's

Academic misconduct at Queen's includes the use of Artificial Intelligence to carry out work on your behalf. It is considered contract cheating if the unapproved use of AI is employed to do your work for you. The Academic Misconduct page of the Queen's Website defines contract cheating as: Commissioning or seeking to commission (either paid or unpaid) another individual or AI software to perform or complete academic work on your behalf. That means that if you haven't done the work yourself, you could be referred to the Academic Offences Committee.

What are the rules around what I can use AI for?

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At Queen's, the rules are that each academic can decide how much to let students use AI in their assessments. That may mean some assessments require you to avoid the use of Generative AI altogether and it is important to follow that decision. Other assessments may allow you to use it in a limited capacity, or may require you to use Generative AI to complete them. If you are unsure, please ask your lecturer about their rules on using Generative AI.

Responsible Usage

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If you are allowed to use Generative AIs in your course, it is important to use it in a responsible way and to verify any outputs. You are responsible for any work you submit and if it is inaccurate because the AI was mistaken, you are accountable.

AI Use Case - 1

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Let's consider some scenarios...

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Can you determine which activities would count as contract cheating? Here are three scenarios for you to consider. Move to the next page to begin...

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1/3

2/3

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3/3

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A good rule of thumb is: If you cannot verify whether the AI's output is correct, do not use it.

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Citing AI

Using AI - The Library Guide This guide provides an overview of how you can use Generative AI tools to enhance your use of library resources.

It is also a good idea to cite your usage of an AI in your bibliography. Whether for a presentation, paper or other assignment, a complete bibliography is expected for academic work. Your lecturer might have a specific way to reference AI models, but you should cite it even when you are not asked to.

As an example, you might cite the AI model used, the date it was accessed and the URL of the AI. It is also advisable to list tasks that were completed with the AI model for transparency.

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Example Citations...

Harvard Style: OpenAI 2024, ChatGPT, OpenAI, viewed 7 August 2024, <https:// www.openai.com/chatgpt>. Used for drafting, outlining, and proofreading. APA Style: Anthropic. (2024). Claude [Large language model]. Debugging Python code Explaining technical concepts related to machine learning, Providing guidance on API usage, Assisting with data analysis techniques.

Please keep in mind that the addition of what the AI was used for is not a normal part of Harvard or APA styles, but is important information for anyone assessing your work to understand.

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Still unsure?

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If you are unsure, please ask your lecturer about their policy on using Generative AI. If you are allowed to use Generative AIs in your course, it is important to use it in a responsible way and to verify any outputs. You are responsible for any work you submit and if it is inaccurate because the AI was mistaken, you are accountable.

AI Use Case - 2

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1/5

Do this, not that.

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Select the better course of action:

2/5

Do this, not that.

Select the better course of action:

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3/5

Do this, not that.

Select the better course of action:

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4/5

Do this, not that.

Select the better course of action:

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5/5

Do this, not that.

Select the better course of action:

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How do I prompt Generative AI effectively?

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Getting Generative AI to produce the outputs you want is a complicated process of trial and error commonly referred to as 'Prompt Engineering'. A prompt is what you put into the text box of a chatbot to get it to produce a desired output. Every word of your prompt matters, but instead of trying to be as concise as possible (as with a Google search) try to be as detailed and specific as possible. Long prompts are okay!

How do I prompt Generative AI effectively?

Put simply, the clearer you can be about the kind of output you want, the better results you will get. You can break this down with a handy mnemonic:

C.R.E.A.T.E.

You may not need to use all of these elements for every prompt, but if you think of at least the character, request and type of output you want for most prompts, you will see the AI's output improve.

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E.

T.

A.

E.

R.

C.

You are a highly experienced project manager who has a reputation for running successful projects. I want you to help me create a project plan for {project title}. Here are the {details}. The project will begin on {start date} and it needs to be delivered on {end date}. Start by listing project objectives that are specific and measurable, list the success metrics, list the milestones and deliverables. Now ask me if I'd like to see the timeline. Stop and wait for my response. Do not continue until I answer. If I say yes, show a timeline as a table. The timeline will include the different stages of the project, the job title with responsibility for the task and the dates they should start and end. Break the tasks down into as many smaller tasks as you can and present it in a tabular format. Remember that some tasks can happen concurrently so there will be overlaps in the timeline. {project title}: {details}: {start date}: {end date}:

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An example of using C.R.E.A.T.E. -

AI Use Case - 3

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Select whether the statement is true or false.

1/5

True or False?

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Select whether the statement is true or false.

2/5

True or False?

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3/5

Select whether the statement is true or false.

True or False?

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4/5

True or False?

Select whether the statement is true or false.

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5/5

True or False?

Select whether the statement is true or false.

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Congratulations!

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You've made it to the end of the resource. Remember that you can you can come back anytime if you need to check over anything about AI use. Before you leave, we have included some key reflections on the next page and some AI resources that you also may want to explore in your own time.

Key Reflections

• Generative AI enhances learning but should be used responsibly.

• Follow University guidelines on acceptable AI use.

• Always cite AI sources to maintain academic integrity.

Be mindful of the carbon footprint associated with AI technology. AI models are resource-intensive and it is important to keep this in mind when using Generative AIs.

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Trailblazer's Guide

R-A-I-S-EGuide

PromptEngineering

Queen'sAI Hub

Queen's AI Hub

If you need more information about Generative AI, please check out the Queen's AI Hub, including some key student guides below:

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Useful AI Resources

• “Procedures for Dealing with Academic Offences - A Student Guide: Academic & Student Affairs: Queen’s University Belfast.” Procedures for Dealing with Academic Offences - A Student Guide | Academic & Student Affairs, 18 August 2023

• Dell'Acqua, Fabrizio and McFowland III, Edward and Mollick, Ethan R. and Lifshitz-Assaf, Hila and Kellogg, Katherine and Rajendran, Saran and Krayer, Lisa and Candelon, François and Lakhani, Karim R., Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality (September 15, 2023). Harvard Business School Technology & Operations Mgt. Unit Working Paper No. 24-013, The Wharton School Research Paper

• Birss, Dave. “Meet Your AI Creative Collaborator - How to Research and Write Using Generative AI Tools Video Tutorial: Linkedin Learning, Formerly Lynda.Com.” LinkedIn, 15 March 2023

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• Birss, Dave. “How to Boost Your Productivity with AI Tools: LinkedIn Learning, Formerly Lynda.com” LinkedIn Learning | Login, 14 July 2023

• Luccioni, Sasha, et al. “Power Hungry Processing: Watts driving the cost of AI deployment?” The 2024 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, 3 June 2024 https://doi.org/10.1145/3630106.3658542.

• Cho, Renee “AI’s Growing Carbon Footprint.” State of the Planet, Columbia University, 9 June 2023, news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/06/09/ais-growing-carbon-footprint/ Accessed 30 September. 2024.

Useful AI Resources

• Mollick, Ethan R. and Mollick, Lilach, Using AI to Implement Effective Teaching Strategies in Classrooms: Five Strategies, Including Prompts (March 17, 2023). The Wharton School Research Paper

• Mollick, Ethan R. and Mollick, Lilach, Assigning AI: Seven Approaches for Students, with Prompts (September 23, 2023). The Wharton School Research Paper

• OpenAI 2024, ChatGPT, OpenAI, viewed 7 August 2024. Used for drafting text and quiz questions, and procedural queries.

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Thank you to Shelby Hanna for designing this resource and allowing us also to contribute to its development. Your work has helped enhance its impact for students. Centre for Educational Development

Resource Acknowledgement

Apply Generative AI to help you understand difficult concepts in your course. You can ask the AI to act as a tutor to provide explanations as analogies or examples.

Use AI as a personal tutor:

• Not sure what formula to use in excel?
• Not sure how to convert a file type?

AI can be a great resource for simple step-by-step instructions.

Link to Article about AI in Higher Education

As Generative AI becomes increasingly prevalent in fields like marketing, entertainment, healthcare, and technology, having experience in using AI makes you more attractive to potential employers. Generative AI is still relatively new to the public, so students who can prove they have skills in this area will likely be more sought after that those who don't.

Give yourself an edge

in the job market.

Early studies show that students can achieve better results with their coursework if they use Generative AI to help them. Please note, this is only for students who use Generative AI as an assistive tool, not to complete work on their behalf.

Assigning AI: Seven approaches for students

Improve your coursework:

Students must always be critical of an AI's output and never try to pass it off as their own.

With a solid understanding of Generative AI, you can complete work in University that students from earlier generations could only dream of.

Challenge Yourself

For example, AI can help you...

• master new software
• generate images to enhance your projects
• assist you with coding tasks

With an AI-enhanced portfolio, both your marks and your employment prospects will likely improve.