As a further development of previous guidance, this refinement seeks to be useful for faculty when considering students’ use of generative AI. Please remember that Emerson faculty manage the role and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Because of this, clarity is key: you must clearly communicate your chosen policy on your syllabus or on each assignment so students understand the expectations. It is also crucial that any use of AI is properly documented and cited, with the specific method of documentation left to the instructor’s discretion.
The taxonomy below should be used as a starting point; many faculty have already engaged with and included AI in the classes with greater depth than what is described here. The College, through Extraordinary Emerson 2030, encourages the pedagogical integration of AI through its goals of career readiness, increasing innovation, and faculty development. The College has a commitment to data security, and will only endorse and adopt AI tools that have terms of service that ensure data is protected, private, and secure. Please visit this page for a list of approved AI resources.
We thus suggest considering Perkins et al. “AI Assessment Scale” (AIAS) as a basic, flexible, and useful framework for integrating AI into your courses. This taxonomy offers five distinct levels of AI use, which you can apply as a course-wide policy or tailor to individual assignments.
Levels of the AI Assessment Scale
- No AI: Students are not permitted to use any generative AI tools.
- Student-friendly language: *You must not use AI at any point. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.*
- AI Planning: AI tools may be used for brainstorming, generating ideas, or creating outlines. The final submitted work must be entirely written by the student.
- Student-friendly language: *You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.*
- AI Collaboration: Students can use AI to receive feedback, self-assess, or edit and revise their work. Students must actively edit and critically evaluate any AI-generated content they use. The ideas and core content of the work must be the student’s own.
- Student-friendly language: *You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.*
- Full AI: AI can be used to complete parts or even the entirety of a task. The focus shifts from the student’s independent production to their ability to direct the AI effectively to solve problems and achieve learning goals.
- Student-friendly language: *You may use AI extensively throughout your work as specifically directed. Focus on directing AI to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.*
- AI Exploration: Students are encouraged to use AI creatively to solve problems, generate novel ideas, and explore innovative solutions.
- Student-friendly language: *You should use AI creatively to solve the task; explain how you did so.*
The Office of Academic Assessment (OAA), the Iwasaki Library, the Instructional Technology Group (ITG), the Teaching Hub, and Information Technology are all available to help.
Further Reading and Resources
- Iwasaki Library Guide: This guide provides faculty and students with information on what AI is and how it works. It explores ethics around AI, evaluation of AI tools, and how to cite AI effectively.
- Iwasaki Library Resources for Teaching with AI: This guide includes resources around teaching with and about AI.