Generative AI - information for students: Home

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Use with integrity

For most (home) exams, you are expected to write the texts yourself. Using generative AI in an exam product, if not explicitly stated as allowed, is a form of fraud. Using generative AI as a buddy to brainstorm is often no problem, but copying its outputs, especially without referencing, certainly is! If you're unsure about whether or not you're allowed to use it: discuss with your teacher to ensure you're using generative AI ethically.

There are countless (meaningful) ways generative AI can assist you. It's important to remember: generative AI is not an expert. Your fellow students, lecturers and teachers often are. So, discuss the output of the generative AI with them.

Needless to say: it is always important to put your own learning first. After your studies, you will enter professional practice in which you must be able to act in complex situations and justify your actions. Justifying by saying a generative AI told you to will not gain much support, so stay sharp and boost your learning instead of jeopardising it.

Generative AI and privacy

The data from almost all generative AI tools is processed and stored on American servers and must comply with the privacy laws and regulations applicable there. This legislation is less strict than European laws and regulations.

Most privacy policies state that information about you can be collected. Providers may gather information about your visit, how you use the services, and your interactions. Your IP address, location, and used devices are also (among other things) recorded. Your information can (and will) be used for maintaining, improving, and analyzing the tool(s). In simple terms: your input will be used to further train the generative AI!

That's why it's important not to use personal information about yourself, others, or businesses.

For more certainty regarding your privacy, it is advisable to use a dummy email address that cannot be traced back to you as an individual, combined with a VPN service, such as Proton VPN.

Generative AI in class

Avans lecturers and coaches are required to take your privacy rights seriously. Therefore, if a tool does not comply with GDPR legislation, they cannot obligate you to use generative AI for educational purposes. Of course, they may challenge and encourage you, or use generative AI together with you in class, preparing you for a future as a professional in a field where generative AI will be the standard.