*Using AI in academic work? The question is not simply “Can I use AI?”*
It is: *“How am I using it, and does that use follow the rules?”*
A useful general approach is:
• Use AI to understand difficult concepts • Brainstorm and test your ideas • Review and improve your own writing • Check grammar, clarity and structure • Verify facts, references and quotations • Keep records of your research and drafts
But be careful about:
• Submitting AI-generated work as your own • Using AI to hide unauthorised assistance • Fabricating references, evidence or quotations • Uploading copyrighted or confidential material without permission • Sharing personal or sensitive information with AI tools
One point deserves particular attention:
*Simply rewriting AI-generated text does not automatically make it your own academic work.*
The real test is whether you understand the work, contributed the thinking, followed the assessment rules and can take responsibility for what you submitted.
A simple rule to remember:
*Use AI to support your learning, not to disguise who did the academic work.*
This is becoming an important part of academic literacy — not just knowing how to use AI, but knowing *when, why and how to use it responsibly*.