AI considerations for assignments
Questions to answer about AI for each assignment, and who on campus decides what.
- Answer six AI questions for each assignment, from permitted use to data rules.
- Many AI decisions belong to departments and campus offices, not the instructor alone.
- Plan now for AI agents and AI built into course tools.
Scope
Faculty determine the learning goals and assessment approach. This guide helps clarify the role, limits and expectations for AI within those decisions. It does not prescribe teaching methods.
Six questions to answer for each assignment
These help you identify the AI decisions an assignment involves. The answers depend on your course goals and local policy.
What AI assistance is permitted?
Name the uses allowed and not allowed for this task.
Policy builder →What work must remain the student’s responsibility?
Say which parts students must do themselves.
Syllabus elements →What information should not go into an AI tool?
Personal data, classmates’ work, unpublished research and other restricted information.
Principles →What access or accommodation questions need local review?
Cost, accounts, accessibility and alternatives for students who opt out.
Principles →Which decisions belong with others?
Some questions belong with instructional designers or campus offices.
Who decides what →Who decides what
Many AI questions in a course belong to someone other than the instructor alone.
Faculty
Learning goals, assessment approach, and the AI permitted in each assignment, within campus rules.
Department or program
Shared expectations across sections and discipline norms.
Teaching center and instructional designers
Advice on assessment design and whether a task measures what it should.
Institutional offices
Approved tools, data and privacy rules, accessibility and integrity procedures.
Students
Following the stated rules, disclosing use and asking when unsure.
Beyond chatbots
AI is moving into agents and course platforms. Each brings different questions for assessment.
AI agents
Tools that carry out multi-step tasks on their own, such as researching, drafting and submitting. Process evidence and in-person checks matter more.
Multimodal systems
AI that reads and produces images, audio, video and code. Assessments in studio, lab and media courses need the same review as writing.
AI inside the LMS
Assistants built into course platforms. Check what student data they use and tell students when they are on.
Automated feedback and grading
AI-generated comments or scores. Keep a human responsible for grades and tell students when AI is used to evaluate their work.