Supporting Students in the Age of AI: �Policies, Ethics, and Practical Guidance for Fieldwork & Capstone Educators
Kim Banfill, OTD, OTRL
Sheila Guiao MSOT, OTRL�Christine Kivlen, PhD, OTRL�Pennie Wysocki BS, COTAL
Learning Objectives
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Why This Conversation Matters
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AI tools are increasingly used by students.��Educators report uncertainty. ��Programs must ensure balance.�
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Generative AI�Writing Tools�Research Tools�Clinical / Study Tools�Schools AI Tools
What Counts as AI?
AOTA Policy on Ethical Use of AI�POLICY E.19 SUBJECT� Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) �
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AOTA’s Policy
AJOT Article�November/December 2025 Volume 79, Number 6
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AOTA Ethical Implications
Aligned Ethics AOTA
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Fidelity
Veracity
Concerns include:
Misinformation
Bias in AI models
Data privacy
Overreliance on automated outputs
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ACOTE� �ACOTE does not yet have AI-specific standards, but several standards are relevant.�
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Education
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AI Policy Considerations
Clarification of Policies
Policies need to address:
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Acceptable Uses of AI
Student must:
1. Verify accuracy
2. Retain authorship
3. Disclose the use of AI
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Potential Risks in Health Professions Education
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Accuracy
Accuracy
AI Disclaimer
AI Statements
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This article was created with the assistance of AI tools.
Human editors have reviewed and fact checked the content to ensure accuracy.
Generated content may contain outdated information and or errors.
Resources
AOTA's article Artificial Intelligence's Role in OT- The innovation and instability
AOTA Policy E.19 Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
OT Practice article Generative AI for OT Practitioners: Easy as ABC and 123
Smarter, Not Harder: How AI Tools Can Transform Your Student Success
Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Occupational Therapy—The Innovation and Instability
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in OT Practice Everyday Evidence Podcast transcript
OT Practice Copyright release form
Report of Foresight Committee to the RA for Spring 2024 RA Meeting
Future proofing occupational therapy practitioners: Preparing for workplace AI integration
Ethical Considerations Relevant to Emerging Technology-Based Interventions
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Meet the Panel
Sheena Aggarwal MOT, OTRL
Clinical Director, Flourishing Lives
Heidi Spiridakis MOT, OTRL, CHT
Henry Ford Health
Loren Dowell, Student Level II
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Interactive Panel Discussion
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How do you approach preparing for AI integration in a way that maintains and protects your professional reasoning and clinical decision-making processes?
In what ways has the integration of AI into your clinical practice or academic responsibilities influenced the workflow and structure of your daily routine?
What advantages and limitations have you observed when incorporating AI tools into your practice and into electronic medical record (EMR) systems?
What level of AI familiarity, competency, or expectations has your organization established for students, both in relation to EMR use and in clinical practice more broadly?
Thank you
References
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Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (2023). 2023 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards and Interpretive Guide. https://acoteonline
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). DEI Toolkit, 2021. https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/dei/diversity-equity--inclusion-toolkit-resource-library
Disclaimer
AI was utilized during the development of this presentation to enhance content and images. Content was verified for accuracy.