Using AI Effectively
Generative AI (GenAI) is a study partner — not a shortcut. Use it to support your learning, but remember: you still need to verify, think, and write for yourself.
Use AI to Support Your Learning
- Brainstorm & plan: Get topic ideas, research questions, or outline structures.
- Clarify concepts: Ask for plain-language explanations and examples to strengthen your understanding.
- Draft & edit: Use AI to check clarity, flow, or grammar — then revise in your own words.
- Practise skills: Generate practice questions, test your knowledge, and explore different approaches.
Always Check the Facts
- GenAI can be wrong or misleading; it may invent details (sometimes called “hallucinations”).
- AI may produce incorrect references or citations. Always cross-check in library databases, textbooks, and reliable sources.
- Be aware of bias — AI reflects its training data and may overlook diverse perspectives.
- Treat AI outputs as starting points, not sources of truth.
Choose the Right Tool (How to know if it’s okay for study)
- Allowed? (check before you use)
- Has your Learning Facilitator (LF) said AI is allowed for this assessment/task? If unsure, ask or check the Subject Outline.
- Right for the task? (fit matters)
- Pick a tool designed for what you need (writing, citing, data/table work, coding, accessibility) — not a “does everything” chat by default.
- Prefer Torrens University–approved tools and sign in with your TU account for support and security.
- Private & safe? (your data stays yours)
- Don’t upload personal details, client data, or full assessment drafts.
- Choose tools with a clear privacy policy, data-retention limits, and an opt-out from model training.
- Use University-provided or approved accounts whenever possible.
- Disclose your use: include the Statement of Acknowledgement.
- Checkable? (easy to verify)
- You can confirm claims in set readings, library databases, or other credible sources.
- The tool shows where information comes from (working links/DOIs to peer-reviewed or reputable sources).
- Any references it gives are real and retrievable — spot-check a few.
Make the Work Your Own
- Don’t just reword AI output; use it as inspiration. Integrate your own ideas, interpretations, and examples, and cite any information derived from AI or other sources.
- Keep notes on how you used AI, as you may need to include this with your assessment. Don’t forget the Statement of Acknowledgement.
- Never submit work written wholly by AI as your own.
Follow the Rules
- Your Learning Facilitator will advise whether or not AI use is acceptable in the subject or assessment and this should also be reflected in the assessment brief.
- Acknowledge AI support if required (see Acknowledging AI Use and Referencing AI pages).
- Maintain academic integrity — your work should reflect your critical thinking.
Protect Your Privacy
- Don’t paste personal information, assessment questions, or confidential data into public AI tools.
- Use Torrens University approved tools whenever possible to safeguard your information.