Our universities are committed to the ethical and responsible use of generative AI and to preparing our staff and students to be leaders in an increasingly AI-enabled world.

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential for a profound impact on the ways in which we teach, learn, assess, and access education. Our universities wish to ensure that generative AI tools can be used for the benefit of students and staff – enhancing teaching practices and student learning experiences, ensuring students develop skills for the future within an ethical framework, and enabling educators to benefit from efficiencies to develop innovative methods of teaching.

Russell Group universities have been proactively working with experts to revise and develop policies that provide guidance to students and staff.

Collaboration, coordination, and consistency on this issue across the education and professional sectors – including professional bodies, schools, FE colleges and employers – will be crucial. In recognition of this, Russell Group universities have collectively developed the following principles that will guide the approach to generative AI tools across our universities and, we hope, beyond:

1. Universities will support students and staff to become AI-literate.

   Generative AI tools are capable of processing vast amounts of information to generate responses but they have significant limitations. It is important that all students and staff understand the opportunities, limitations and ethical issues associated with the use of these tools and can apply what they have learned as the capabilities of generative AI develop. 

    

2. Staff should be equipped to support students to use generative AI tools effectively and appropriately in their learning experience.

   Our universities will develop resources and training opportunities, so that staff are able to provide students with clear guidance on how to use generative AI to support their learning, assignments, and research.

   The appropriate uses of generative AI tools are likely to differ between academic disciplines. Universities will encourage academic departments to apply institution-wide policies within their own context. Universities will also be encouraged to consider how these tools might be applied appropriately for different student groups or those with specific learning needs. 

    

3. Universities will adapt teaching and assessment to incorporate the ethical use of generative AI and support equal access.

   Universities continually update and enhance their pedagogies and assessment methods in response to drivers including new research, technological developments and workforce needs – adapting to the use of generative AI technology is no different. Appropriate adaptations to teaching and assessment methods will vary by university and discipline, and protecting this autonomy is vital.

   As the technologies develop and new generative tools become available, elements of generative AI used within universities may reside behind paywalls or be restricted to paying subscribers. Universities will need to consider how best to respond to a potential proliferation of such subscription tools and attempt to ensure fairness of access.

    

4. Universities will ensure academic rigour and integrity is upheld.

   Such clear and transparent policies are critical to maintaining consistent and high standards of learning, teaching and assessment across Russell Group universities.

   Ensuring academic integrity and the ethical use of generative AI can also be achieved by cultivating an environment where students can ask questions about specific cases of their use and discuss the associated challenges openly and without fear of penalisation.

    

5. Universities will work collaboratively to share best practice as the technology and its application in education evolves.

   Navigating this ever-changing landscape will require collaboration between universities, students, schools, FE colleges, employers, sector and professional bodies, with the ongoing review and evaluation of policies, principles and their practical implementation. Fostering these relationships, as well as ensuring an inter-disciplinary approach to addressing emerging challenges and promoting the ethical use of generative AI, will be crucial.