What is AI?

You have probably heard quite a bit of discussion in the media about artificial intelligence (AI for short).  It is an amazing tool that can have potential applications in many fields, including study.

The Oxford Dictionary defines Artificial Intelligence (AI) as "the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision making, and translation between languages."  AI is not new - you may have used Siri, Alexa, Google Maps, Netflix - all of these applications use AI technology.  Generative AI is a particular type of Artificial Intelligence technology that can create various types of content in the form of images, text, audio and more - unlike traditional AI systems that are designed simply to recognise patterns and make predictions. This form of technology includes AI chatbots, such as Chat GPT and is progressing at a rapid rate.  Examples include:

  • Image Generative AI can create new images based on existing ones such as creating a new landscape based on existing scenery
  • Text Generative AI can be used to write articles, poetry and scripts
  • Audio Generative AI can generate new music tracks, sound effects and voice acting

When used ethically, AI can improve and help you with your learning at TAFE SA.  On this page we provide some basic information to help you understand what AI is and how you can use it appropriately in your studies.

Watch this video for a useful overview of what Generative AI is all about:

Using AI at TAFE SA

Academic integrity means being honest and ethical in your academic work. It means doing your own work, not copying from others, giving credit to the sources you used in your work and following rules and guidelines set by TAFE SA.

Taking shortcuts may seem like you are saving on time, but it can prevent you from fully understanding and learning important information.  If you have a feeling that something is not right, or that you might be skipping important steps, trust your instincts. Take the time to fully comprehend and learn a concept rather than rushing through it.

At TAFE SA we are still learning how AI can work for all. If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to ask. You can be a part of the positive changes by being involved!

Skills you need to use AI responsibly

  • Problem solving skills - to know effective ways to interact with AI tools to obtain the desired outputs
  • Communication skills - to be able to interact with your educators and peers to discuss AI generated content in your learning
  • Critical thinking skills - to be able to analyse the information made available to you through AI tools and to determine if it is appropriate.  Fact checking will help determine whether the information gained from AI is accurate and not misinformation.

Risks of using AI

  • Dependence - If you rely too heavily on AI tools to provide answers or explanations, you may not develop the understanding, skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your studies and work.
  • Inaccuracy - AI tools are highly advanced, but they may provide inaccurate or incomplete information which may lead to errors in your work or understanding of a topic.
  • Ethical concerns - AI responses are based on the data it has been trained on. Bias, misinformation, and unethical content may be present in the training data which will be reflected in the responses given.
  • Plagiarism - Using AI tools to generate responses to assessments and assignments will risk you not complying with Academic Integrity policies and procedures at TAFE SA.
  • Privacy concerns - Some AI tools will ask you to input data or information. Do you know what happens with this information? What are the sites terms, conditions and privacy agreements? For example, if you paste a paragraph of your own written work into the tool for paraphrasing, does it then use this information for other users? Will it be picked up later for academic integrity cases? 

I want to use AI to ...

The following sections provide guidance to help make informed decisions regarding using AI at TAFE SA in your studies (click on each heading to expand the information.)  Please note AI technology is moving very rapidly and the information provided on this page is subject to change.

  • Check my knowledge

    Pros

    • Can generate quizzes and flash cards to practice with
    • Can provide additional resources for you to use

     

    Cons

    • Can be factually incorrect /biased
    • Fabricates/misrepresents references
    • Can be outdated

    Remember to always fact check, and cross check information provided by AI tools.

  • Write my assessment or test answers

    Pros

     

    Cons

    • Submitting an assignment/test answer that was not produced by you is a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy
    • Not demonstrating your learning
    • No learning value for you
    • Impacts other learning activities /work-based placements which build on this knowledge
    • Possible safety concerns if learning has been skipped

    The use of generative AI tools in assessment is not supported by TAFE SA.

  • Do my research

    Pros

    • Can give a quick overview/summary of the topic
    • May be able to suggest key readings
    • Summarise readings

     

    Cons

    • Can be factually incorrect /biased
    • Fabricates/misrepresents references

    Knowing how to research independently is a key skill.  AI can provide a starting point, but you must do additional research. You must cite any AI assistance in your reference list..

  • Help me learn

    Pros

    • Can provide complex concepts in a simpler terms
    • Helps with learning grammar
    • Can generate additional examples and solutions

     

    Cons

    • Can generate incorrect answers
    • If you ask AI to solve a problem you've been asked to solve yourself, and you submit this as your own work, this is cheating
    • May generate invalid, inefficient and/or poorly structured answers

    Remember there are various support services available to you as a TAFE SA student.

  • Give me feedback on written or spoken language

    Pros

    • Can give you feedback to refine your language and style
    • AI may be able to identify sentence structure and readability and provide suggestions for improvement
    • Will detect errors and mistakes

     

    Cons

    • May be biased or factually incorrect

    AI can encourage you to make your work better but, you must take the next steps. You must cite any AI assistance in your reference list.

  • Summarise readings in my course

    Pros

    • Quickly summarises content
    • Might pick up themes you did not notice
    • Can help with deciding which reading to prioritise

     

    Cons

    • Not a substitute for actually reading!
    • You may miss points that you think are important

    By reading information and taking notes, you are more likely to retain knowledge. You must cite any AI assistance in your reference list.

  • Paraphrase

    Pros

    • Quickly paraphrases content
    • Helps with learning grammar

     

    Cons

    • Often makes mistakes
    • Copy pasting other sources into paraphrasing tools can be plagiarism without reference
    • Copy pasting from AI and paraphrasing tools does not meet academic integrity requirements

    Knowing how to summarise and paraphrase ideas are key skills.

Checking your work

It is important that you remember to

  • Correctly acknowledge where you have used AI to help you with understanding terms and concepts
  • This may mean that you will need a reference list and a bibliography if you use AI
  • Refer to the LEARN course on Academic Integrity for help

TAFE SA is using plagiarism checking tools to keep track with AI capabilities and where students are using AI to shortcut their work.  To avoid accidentally plagiarising, it is a good idea to use software like Microsoft Editor, Turnitin or Grammarly to check your work for similarities to other sources.

When you are unsure, speak with your educator or course coordinator as they are best placed to advise you on how to use AI in your learning.  Connect with the Library to assist you with referencing and fact checking.  Refer to the TAFE SA Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures for guidance.

︿
Back to Top