AI Guide for Torrens

Inappropriate Use of AI at Torrens University

Torrens University Australia (TUA), Think Education, and Media Design School (MDS) support the ethical and responsible use of AI across learning, teaching, research, and administration. However, to uphold academic integrity, protect intellectual property, and safeguard privacy, certain uses of AI by staff and students are strictly prohibited.

1. Submitting AI-Created Work as Your Own

Not allowed: Using AI to create entire pieces of work, products, or outputs and submitting them as if they were solely your own.
Why: This undermines academic integrity and fails to demonstrate your own understanding or skills.
Example: Submitting a full essay generated by ChatGPT without your own contribution.

2. Presenting AI-Produced Content Without Attribution

Not allowed: Producing content using AI and presenting it as entirely your own work without crediting the AI assistance.
Why: This constitutes plagiarism and misrepresents authorship.
Example: Using AI to draft a report and failing to disclose that AI contributed to the writing.

3. Using AI in Restricted Assessments

Not allowed: Using AI in assessments designed to measure individual understanding, such as exams, quizzes, or other high-stakes tasks aimed at assuring learning outcomes.
Why: AI use in such contexts gives an unfair advantage and invalidates assessment results.
Example: Using AI to answer an online quiz intended to test your personal knowledge.

4. Using Unapproved AI Tools

Not allowed: Using AI tools that have not been explicitly approved by TUA, Think, or MDS.
Why: Unvetted tools may present ethical, security, or compliance risks.
Example: Entering coursework data into a random online AI tool without institutional approval.

5. Sharing Confidential or Proprietary Information with AI Tools

Not allowed: Disclosing sensitive information about TUA, Think, or MDS, students, staff, or vendors to AI systems.
Why: This can breach privacy, confidentiality agreements, and data protection laws.
Example: Uploading unpublished research data into an external AI platform.

6. Submitting Third-Party Intellectual Property to AI Tools

Not allowed: Entering another person’s or organisation’s intellectual property into an AI tool without explicit permission.