Generative AI Policy in Higher Education: A Preliminary Survey

Digital Policy Hub Working Paper

July 18, 2024

The world of higher education is being transformed by generative artificial intelligence (AI), as instructors, researchers and students begin using this technology for various purposes. If used ethically and responsibly, this technology can enhance teaching, research and learning practices. If used recklessly and unscrupulously, however, it can undermine academic integrity and produce negative educational outcomes. Post-secondary educational institutions in Europe and North America have developed and adopted policies to monitor, guide and regulate the use of generative AI among students and faculty members. Under these policies, students must obtain permission from their instructors before using generative AI, and cannot use this technology without rigorous citation and referencing. Individual instructors can establish their own rules, expectations and boundaries around generative AI. Post-secondary institutions should introduce new policies to cultivate AI literacy among students and guarantee equal access to generative AI tools. They should also establish democratic governance systems for generative AI.

About the Author

Elia Rasky holds a Ph.D. in political science from York University. He is a Digital Policy Hub post-doctoral fellow with research interests including Canadian politics, global political economy, and science and innovation policy.