What are acceptable uses of GenAI? What are some alternatives?
Answer
Before you decide to use GenAI for a task, you may want to consider the ethical ramifications. There may be an alternative to GenAI. Furthermore, GenAI can distort your writerly voice and lead your research down a stereotypical or biased path rather than a unique one. That said, it can have beneficial uses.
Acceptable GenAI uses can vary from course to course because each course has its own learning outcomes. Using GenAI for a task that you are being graded on to assess your achievement of the outcome could be cheating. Therefore, ask your instructor before using a generative AI tool for an assignment. Also be sure to turn off chat history and model training to avoid copyright infringement when entering information into the tool.
Generative AI uses that could be acceptable may include the following:
- Brainstorming (Alternative: Brainstorming methods)
- Identifying key words (Alternative: Meet with a writing coach)
- Background research (Alternative: Read news items on the topic)
- Creating an assignment plan or outline (Alternative: Outline templates)
- Summarizing sources (Alternative: Read the abstract)
- Checking your understanding of sources (Alternative: Discuss it with your instructor or a peer)
- Revising and editing (Alternative: Use a text-to-speech tool; get feedback from a writing coach)
- Creating study materials (Alternative: Write your own notes or create your own flashcards. The process of doing so can help you learn.)