Generative AI

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence designed to produce new content by learning from large datasets drawn from many different sources.

Tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini use large language models (LLMs). These are foundation models trained on extensive amounts of data. It enables them to understand and create sophisticated responses (Department for Education, 2025).

These tools can:

  • answer questions
  • produce text and images
  • reply to prompts
  • perform various writing tasks

Other tools such as Grammarly and other grammar tools have features that use Generative AI. 

Suitable ways to use AI in your learning

Some students may need to use AI to support their learning.

Reasonable ways in which you can use AI are: 

  • checking your grammar
  • reformatting references
  • using dictation tools
  • using AI to read text aloud
  • getting definitions of words or concepts
  • summarising information from public (non-copyrighted) sources
  • reviewing your work and suggesting improvements (you must apply the changes yourself)

AI must not reword or rephrase your work for you.

If you cannot find information where the author has released a license that allows you to use AI on it, you should assue it is not acceptable.

You must not upload any content or materials created by others into AI tools unless that author has given you permission.

Protecting personal and confidential information

You must not upload any personal or confidential information into AI tools.

This includes information about:

  • yourself
  • colleagues
  • families you support

Data protection and risks

If you use open access AI platforms to check your work:

  • your work may be accessed by the system
  • it could potentially become available to others
  • information may be stored permanently on the system and cannot be removed

You must fully anonymise your work before using AI tools.

Declaring your use of AI

If you choose to use AI in you work you must:

  • explicitly state what tool you used
  • explain what you have used it for on the cover sheet for every assignment

You can find a copy of the cover sheet on SharePoint.

If you're planning to use Grammarly or a similar form of software, we encourage you to discuss this issue with your tutor before you submit your work.

AI limitations

While generative AI can have its uses in an academic setting, it is important to remember that they:

  • do not have human or lived experience
  • can provide inaccurate information; this includes fabricating references
  • have no understanding of texts
  • are not logical or have moral understanding

If you do not double-check your work, you will be held responsible for including these errors in your assignments.

Academic misconduct

The CfSSW does not condone the use generative AI in your work when:

  • representing AI work as your own, original work
  • using AI translators to convert entire assignments into English; this constitutes as false authorship and is not permitted
  • submitting assignments without declaring whether you have used AI
  • citing and referencing AI-found sources without validating them

Marking policy for assignments

All CfSSW markers have access to an AI indicator on Turnitin. The AI Indicator will highlight any content in your assignments that has been through any AI tool. 

Essay one

Essays demonstrating an AI content over 20% will be marked but reference will be made to the use of AI and how this may have affected marks awarded. For participants who receive this feedback, we would strongly advise they speak to their tutor to ensure the situation does not occur again on the submission of essay two.

Essay two

Essays demonstrating an AI rating of 20 to 50% will be marked but reference will be made to the use of AI and it will affect your grade. Essays demonstrating an AI rating over 50% will be flagged and students will be required to meet with a representative from the CfSSW to discuss their use of AI in their essay.

The outcome of this conversation will determine next steps and may result in the essay being marked as failure and a resubmission will be required. The mark for resubmissions is capped at 50%.