Declaration on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
In accordance with the adopted policies of the European Commission, EU regulations and EU acts, as well as the documents of the European University Association, and adhering to and respecting the principles of openness, multidisciplinarity, and ethical standards, the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje has adopted a Declaration on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools.
With the advancement of technology and the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools, their use is increasingly prevalent in the context of higher education and scientific research. Following these trends, the academic community at the University can and should leverage the advantages of artificial intelligence and the techniques derived from technological development, while simultaneously advocating for the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence tools and upholding academic integrity, which collectively can contribute to the progress of society as a whole.
Therefore, the University supports using generative artificial intelligence tools based on responsibility, transparency, and ethical principles. In doing so, the University emphasizes the need for caution in using these tools, including ensuring information security and data privacy, maintaining academic integrity and ethical standards in academic work, and respecting copyright laws.
Supporting the development of technologies and innovations, the University has adopted the Declaration on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools, while striving to ensure that institutional, copyright, or personal data are not put at risk. When using AI-based tools, the academic community, composed of teaching and research staff as well as students, is advised to consider the following:
- The University reminds users of the legal obligation to protect confidential data. It is strongly recommended not to input data classified as confidential into publicly available generative artificial intelligence tools. Information shared with generative AI tools using standard settings is not private and may be exposed to third parties.
- The use of generative artificial intelligence tools should be approached with caution, ensuring that confidential or other sensitive information is entered into the models only with the consent of the individuals whose data is being utilized in the AI models.
- The University encourages awareness and responsibility for any content produced or published that incorporates materials generated by artificial intelligence. Users should remain mindful that AI-generated content may be inaccurate, misleading, entirely fabricated, or potentially include copyrighted materials. Consequently, it is essential that the use of artificial intelligence tools and techniques is transparent and responsible, and that the accuracy of the information generated is verified.
- The University recommends that the use of artificial intelligence models be conducted in a way that ensures adherence to the principles of interpretability, explainability, and transparency of the models.
- Teaching and research staff, as well as students, can use artificial intelligence technologies as tools to support learning and acquire new knowledge, as they can facilitate studying and improve the quality and efficiency of generated materials, supporting the learning process in a manner that is permissible and acceptable to the academic community.
- The University indicates that it is not permitted to: use generative artificial intelligence tools to share or generate academic work in a manner not permitted by the professor and assistant, as well as copy texts created using generative artificial intelligence, without citing their use. In this case, the assessment and evaluation of students' knowledge should be done by the teaching and scientific staff.
- The University advises and encourages students to ask their professors and assistants for clarification on the permissibility or impermissibility of using generative artificial intelligence tools, while paying attention to the manner of using them with integrity, ethics, and transparency.
- The University emphasizes the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in scientific research in a responsible, transparent and critical manner, with awareness of their limitations. In doing so, the University highlights the need for proper referencing of methods based on generative artificial intelligence used in the context of authored works. The author of the work is responsible for the content of the shared work.
- The University reminds all members to consistently adhere to the Ethical Code of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, in order to preserve the academic integrity of its community.
- The University emphasizes the preservation of academic integrity and ethical standards in academic work when using generative artificial intelligence tools, which includes citing the tools that contributed to the creation of the work in the research and artistic process, critically assessing the results, and taking responsibility for the content of the work.
- The University advises caution regarding the threat of AI-powered phishing, as generative artificial intelligence enables easier methods for sophisticated fraud.
- The University explicitly prohibits using generative artificial intelligence tools for certain categories of activities, including harassment, discrimination, violation of personal and academic integrity, as well as other illegal activities.
Generative artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing technology, and the University will continue to monitor its progress, consult with its community, and update this Declaration accordingly.
Skopje, 28.11.2024 Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
Rector
Prof. Biljana Angelova Ph.D.