Trust, But Verify
Artificial intelligence has been revolutionizing the world in many ways, including the world of higher academia. The following pages of this guide will offer connections to AI tools that you can use to help you increase productivity, attempt to avoid burnout, and grow as a scholar.
While the fantastical possibilities of this new technology can be awe-inspiring, it is important to not become passive while using it. When using systems like ChatGPT, try to remember the saying "trust, but verify". This saying simply means that you should always do your due diligence to fact check the system and ask it to cite it's sources. This will help you avoid falling for hallucinations (which is misinformation consumed and reproduced by the system).
Furthermore, there is currently no university policy about the usage of artificial intelligence at Texas State University. Because there is no consistent language on permission to use the technology, it is important to speak with your instructor about what their expectations are if it is not already outlined in the syllabus. You can review the university's expectations when it comes to artificial intelligence in AI Use in Academic Work.
The Ethics of Using AI in the Research Process
Most of the tools explored in this guide function as AI-assisted tools, rather than Generative AI like ChatGPT. This important distinction means that using these tools is not equivalent to creating new content. The scholarly conversation about this issue is ongoing and growing--to dig deeper, try a literature review. 😉
Researcher Razia Aliani perhaps says it best: "Using AI in Research is Ethical, NOT using it responsibly ISN'T." For more resources on this topic, please see our guide on Plagiarism, AI & ChatGPT.
