Establishing Boundaries and Expectations for Ethical AI Usage

Fall 2025

Center for the Enhancement of Teaching, Assessment, & Learning

Presenters:

John Long

Associate VP of Student Services & Development

Vinny Cascio

Dean of Students�

Maria Ashton-Stebbings

Reference/Instruction Librarian�

Objectives

By the end of the presentation, faculty will be able to:

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• Discuss the importance of AI Literacy�
• Recall environmental implications of use of AI�
• Discern between appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI in an academic context�
• Recognize the student perspective on AI use�
• List the steps of what to do when there is unauthorized use of AI in your classroom�
• Find where to get help with support and processes on AI integrity issues from the Dean of Students office

By the numbers

• 77% of devices have some form of AI⁹
• 86% of students already use AI for schoolwork⁵
• Over 50% of companies plan to incorporate AI tech into their work⁹
• 97% of business owners think using ChatGPT will help their business⁹
• 9 of 10 students want to learn more about AI in school¹
• 67% of people would use ChatGPT rather than Google⁹

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Environmental Impact

Environmental Impact (cont.)

A Look at Data Centers-currently 8 million+ globally¹⁰

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• By 2030, data centers could contribute to 600,000 asthma-related cases and costs of over $20 billion⁸
• Back up generators emit fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as using fossil fuels⁸
• Tech companies have put data centers in areas with water scarcity already.¹⁰
• By 2028, data centers may account for between 6.7-12% of all electricity used in the U.S.³
• Companies are working to use renewable energy, but many big tech are buying renewable energy certificates. Other utility companies are scrapping renewable projects because of data center demand (so using coal and building more natural gas power plants)³

Bias & Ethics

Myth: Because AI is not a person, it will provide an objective answer to your prompt or query.

Truth:

• AI relies on algorithms, prediction, and pre-created information created by humans.
• Since humans have bias, AI has bias.
• Some studies of AI platforms show a Western centered point of view and may not reflect global issues, ideas, or norms
• Workers tweak the algorithms as they train them, so there is human intervention in most AI.
• AI can be trained on materials obtained without permissions.
• Invisible labor on AI happens through “ghost workers” in places such as Philippines, Venezuela, and Kenya.

–Some information from Sharesly Rodriguez, Librarian, San Jose State (Library Journal presentation for course Empowering Library Users with AI)

Why should we talk to students about AI?

The importance of AI Literacy

• It helps users understand how AI works and know its strengths and weaknesses�
• It empowers users to make ethical decisions regarding the use of AI�
• It enables faculty to explain when, where, why, and and why not to use AI in their classes or beyond�
• Use of AI can differ widely depending on the discipline. Some may not want to encourage use at all, and others may need to use AI as part of their education.�
• It allows discussion about implicit and explicit bias in AI and other resources �

Discussing the myths, strengths and weaknesses around AI can increase transparency and trust and help students understand that AI is a TOOL rather than an end product. It helps students to be less confused about using AI.

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–Some information compiled from Navigating the future: The growing need for AI Literacy by Danielle Draper⁴

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Possible Appropriate Use of AI in School Work

• Grammar checking
• Idea generation
• Identifying keywords
• Finding subtopics
• Creating an outline
• Summarizing an article to help with understanding (you still need to read the article if you are using it though!)�
• Others??

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Inappropriate use of AI in School Work

• Replacing your own writing
• Creating citation lists of items you aren’t reading, or using AI generated �citations that don’t exist (hallucinations)
• Substituting a summary or introduction created as AI for your own
• Paraphrasing without your own editing and ideas, and without citing
• Using ANYTHING written from a generative AI without citing or disclosing it
• Others??

Encourage students to ALWAYS check with their instructors for their rules around the use of AI in your particular class.

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Examples of how AI can be used to help students

• Grammarly
• ESL
• Creating study guides-time management
• Creating flashcards-practicing skills
• Finding keywords to search in databases
• Summarizing an article (article should still be read)

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Thoughts??

Sources

1. AI statistics 2024. (n.d.) AIPRM. https://www.aiprm.com/ai-statistics/
2. Bashir, N. et al. (2024, Mar. 27). The Climate and Sustainability Implications of Generative AI. MIT OPS. https://mit-genai.pubpub.org/pub/8ulgrckc/release/2
3. Beckler, H., Ho, R., & Thomas, E. (2025, June 18). Ai runs on dirty power and the public pays the price. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-runs-dirty-power-and-the-public-pays-the-price-2025-6
4. Draper, D. (2024, May 23). Navigating the future: the growing need for AI Literacy. BipartisanPolicy.org. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/growing-need-for-ai-literacy
5. Kelly, R. (2024, Aug. 28). Survey: 86% of Students Already Use AI in Their Studies. Campus Technology. https://campustechnology.com/articles/2024/08/28/survey-86-of-students-already-use-ai-in-their-studies.aspx
6. Kinsley-Hughes, A. (2024, Sept. 22). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted GPT-4 "kind of sucks," and now we learn the AI model consumes up to 3 water bottles to generate a mere 100 words. Medium. https://medium.com/quill-and-ink/openai-ceo-sam-altman-admitted-gpt-4-kind-of-sucks-and-now-we-learn-the-ai-model-consumes-up-to-7d299bc65e63
7. Kitajima Mulkey, S. (2025, June 19). Can you choose an A.I. model that harms the planet less? NewYork Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/climate/ai-emissions-chatbot-accuracy.html
8. Marrinan, C. (2025, June 12). Data center boom risks health of already vulnerable communities. TechPolicy Press. https://www.techpolicy.press/data-center-boom-risks-health-of-already-vulnerable-communities
9. Prestianni, T. (2025, Mar. 4). 131 AI Statistics and Trends for 2025. National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/ai-statistics-trends/
10. UN Environment Programme. (2024, Sept. 21). AI has an environmental problem. Here’s what the world can do about that. UN Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about
11. Webster. M. (2024, Nov. 15). 149 AI Statistics: The Present & Future of AI at Your Fingertips. AuthorityHacker. https://www.authorityhacker.com/ai-statistics/
12. Zewe, A. (2025, Jan. 17). Explained: Generative AI’s environmental impact. MIT News. https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117 �

Additional ECC Library sources:

Artificial Intelligence Research Guide

AI Literacy Tutorial

AI and Academic Integrity

• Faculty determine what, if any, AI use is appropriate in their class

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• TLSD Artificial Intelligence Position Statement (summary)
• Elgin Community College is committed to fulfilling its mission to improve lives through learning by thoughtfully engaging with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing both its opportunities and challenges, ECC seeks to promote the ethical, equitable, and purposeful use of AI to enhance teaching, learning, and accessibility while safeguarding academic integrity. Faculty retain discretion in determining how AI is used in their courses, supported by the Teaching, Learning, and Student Development division through guidance and resources. As AI continues to evolve, ECC remains dedicated to fostering innovation, inclusion, and critical thinking so students are prepared to succeed in a technology-driven world.

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AI and Academic Integrity

• Academic Integrity Administrative Procedure 4.407
• Cheating is the unauthorized use of outside assistance on coursework or exams. Cheating includes the use of notes, study aids, or other devices that are not expressly allowed by the faculty for the completion of an assignment or an exam. In addition, cheating occurs when a student copies another individual's work or ideas.
• Plagiarism is the presentation of wording, content or ideas not original to the student without proper acknowledgment and includes the unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence.
• Fabrication is the making up, falsifying or counterfeiting of research or data.

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AI and Academic Integrity

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AI and Academic Integrity

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• The AI Usage Landscape
• Writing, Editing, Math, Images, Coding, Idea-generation, Summarizing, etc…
• Some studies indicate 70% of secondary school (7th-12th grade) students use AI¹
• Many ECC students are reporting AI tools are required in their high schools (i.e. Grammarly, ChatGPT)

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• Promoting Academic Integrity
• Syllabus Design
• First Day of Class
• Ongoing Practices

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• Anderson, J. and Winthrop, R. (2025, September 11). Parents, your job has changed in the A.I. era. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/opinion/parents-children-ai-learning.html

AI and Academic Integrity

• What to do if you suspect academic dishonesty
• Revist assignment instructions, rubrics and course policies to ensure clarity on expectations communicated to students
• Review student’s work closely to determine the nature and extent of your concern
• Gather any supporting materials
• comparison to other student work, evidence of unauthorized sources, etc.

AI and Academic Integrity

• Determining if AI may have been used
• AI detection tools have real limitations, should be used with caution, and never as sole (or even predominant) “proof” of AI usage
• Instead, consider the following
• Finding inaccurate information (dates, statistics, attributions) confidently included in work
• Tone of writing is overly formulaic and structured, and/or is inconsistent with student’s previous work
• Drafting history (i.e. Revision History, Google docs) shows little time writing or large blocks of text appearing

AI and Academic Integrity

• Determining if AI may have been used
• For additional review and support, contact the Dean of Students
• Triangulation of evidence
• Comparing multiple submissions of student work
• Looking for common AI formatting (headings, overuse of bulleting, numbering, vague language peculiar to AI output, etc.
• Exceedingly strong writing, typical of graduate-level work / no grammar or syntax errors at all
• No single piece of evidence is sufficient on its own, and allegations of academic dishonesty should not be made lightly
• Note: English language learners or those using translation software can sometimes be flagged by AI detectors and erroneously labeled as AI output

AI and Academic Integrity

• If you suspect unauthorized AI usage

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1. Invite the student to meet with you to discuss your concerns
1. Stay open and curious
2. Decide how you want to handle the situation
• Address independently
• File Academic Integrity Violation Report with Dean of Students
1. https://elgin.edu/about/administration/report-concern-incident/academic-integrity-violation/

AI and Academic Integrity

• If you suspect unauthorized AI usage (continued)

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3) Follow through with appropriate action

4) Reflect and work to prevent future incidents

AI and Academic Integrity

• Faculty support
• Dean of Students office
• CETAL
• Academic Dean
• Librarians (plagiarism check for citations, not for AI violations)

Open Forum