Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)

Using ChatGPT is not cheating if a faculty member approves its use in a class assignment. 

However, if ChatGPT has not been approved, students run the risk of violating NYU's Academic Integrity Policy as it defines cheating as:

"Deceiving a faculty member or other individual who assess student performance into believing that one’s mastery of a subject or discipline is greater than it is by a range of dishonest methods, including but not limited to:

• bringing or accessing unauthorized materials during an examination (e.g., notes, books, or other information accessed via cell phones, computers, other technology or any other means)
• submitting work (papers, homework assignments, computer programs, experimental results, artwork, etc.) that was created by another, substantially or in whole, as one's own
• submitting answers on an exam that were obtained from the work of another person or providing answers or assistance to others during an exam when not explicitly permitted by the instructor
• altering or forging academic documents, including but not limited to admissions materials, academic records, grade reports, add/drop forms, course registration forms, etc."

Academic integrity can also be violated by participating in "any behavior that violates the academic policies set forth by the student’s NYU School, department, or division."

Thus it is important to clarify the extent of ChatGPT's use in the class and specific assignments.

TurnItIn

AI Writing Detection has been disabled in the Turnitin Similarity Reports. For more information, see the NYU Knowledge Base articles below:

• NYU Brightspace: TurnItIn Integration (Main Article)
• NYU Brightspace: TurnItIn Integration for Students
• NYU Brightspace: TurnItIn Integration for Instructors

ZeroGPT 

ZeroGPT is a free, open tool that can be used to detect AI-generated text. Please note this is not a university-approved detector.

It is unclear exactly how ChatGPT works. This uncertainty raises some questions that may help evaluate the accuracy, reliability, relevance, and authority of the text and/or citations that Chat GPT produces. Be aware that many AI text generators produce fake citations so it is imperative to always verify those sources.

• Where does Chat GPT get its information from?
• Can you identify the authors of the works Chat GPT is citing or pulling paragraphs from? 
• Who or what materials are not cited?
• Do the citations listed exist? Are they accurate?
• Is ChatGPT paraphrasing or using entire sections of text that belong to someone else?
• Can the information provided by ChatGPT be verified? 
• Has the information ChatGPT used been peer-reviewed?

Finally, students may want to consider whether there is more value to using information from its original source versus what ChatGPT generates.

In most cases, ChatGPT should not be used as an academic source of information. If used, it is always best to cite the original sources ChatGPT lists as its citations, especially because ChatGPT and other tools often generate false citations (also known as hallucinations). 

However, if ChatGPT is permitted for use in an assignment, instructors may want it cited when appropriate. The main three citation styles, APA, MLA, and CMS have not developed in-depth rules for citing ChatGPT yet, but they are currently working to determine best citation practices, as noted below. Scribbr, a proofreading/citation checking site, offers some guidance for each style.

MLA has provided some initial recommendations for citing AI-generated text: How to Cite Generative AI. Also note that MLA recommends to never cite artificial intelligence (AI) generators, such as ChatGPT, as an author.

CMS offers general tips for citing work generated by AI, but as this information is provided in their Q&A section, it is likely they will update these initial suggestions in future editions of the Chicago Manual Style guide.

For additional citation assistance, please see the Libraries' Citation Guide.