Use of artificial intelligence in assignment writing
- Published: March 22nd 2024. Updated: July 9th 2025.
Content
How to use AI in teaching and assessment activities
How to write the correct reference when using Artificial Intelligence
1. You have used AI to get ideas or structure a task
2. You have used AI for proofreading
Introduction
VID wants to support students and staff to become AI-literate (AI-literate) both with regard to the ethical and technical use of AI. When we talk about AI in this guide, we mean generative artificial intelligence, in the form of conversational robots such as GPT. UiO, Copilot, ChatGPT and Gemini. We will be critically reflective in relation to a sustainability perspective with increased water and energy needs, but also in relation to bias (bias) and power structures related to the use and development of AI.
In this guide, we will provide practical tips related to the use of AI in text work such as writing assignments and exams. Be aware that there are learning objectives or expected learning outcomes in the various courses that govern how you can use AI. There may be different guidelines in different study programmes and courses, and especially when writing bachelor's, master's and PhD theses. Sometimes AI can give you discoveries or reflections, while other times it is precisely your own reflections and thoughts that are central to solving the work requirement and giving you learning. If you are in doubt about what applies in your course, you can contact the course coordinator.
In higher education, writing is a key pedagogical approach to learning. Our goal with this guide is not to replace writing with the use of AI, but to provide students and staff with knowledge about tools that can influence the writing process. The guide also provides concrete examples of how you can refer in assignments where you can use AI, and it highlights which use of AI is considered cheating.
Cheating and AI
It is a requirement that exam answers and other written submissions are independently produced text. It is not permitted to use AI to create content that you either fully or partially submit as your own. AI can generate text that is not credible or verifiable. AI-generated text can therefore not be used to support academic claims or as sources in academic work.
VID 's guidelines for dealing with cheating or attempted cheating state:
"The following may constitute cheating or attempted cheating if it is likely to give an unfair advantage:
- Answer where content is generated by writing robot / artificial intelligence, and presented as the student's own work
- answers that are based on false or incorrect data, or observations or facts that are fabricated and presented as true"
How to use AI in teaching and assessment activities
Use secure AI
VID has entered into an agreement with the University of Oslo on the use of a secure AI conversational robot called GPT UiO Here you benefit from the benefits of AI while ensuring privacy and information security. Your conversations and data will also not be used for further training of AI models.
This also applies when using a VID-licensed user for Microsoft Copilot. Read more about Microsoft Copilot here. Always use a secure AI chat!
Use AI as a tool
Artificial intelligence can help you work more efficiently and provide input for both cognitive and creative work. Below you can see suggestions for some activities where AI can be a resource:
- AI can translate text.
- AI can explain concepts and create summaries.
- AI can initiate writing processes and provide ideas on topics.
- AI can criticise text and arguments.
- AI can improve text.
It is important that you are critically reflective of your instructions and of the answers you receive from your chatbot. Read more about critical reflection on AI on our resource pages.
You don't need to use AI
Although it is possible to use AI as a tool in a task, it is not necessarily something everyone needs or should do. Sometimes learning objectives or expected learning outcomes are not compatible with the use of AI. Ask the course coordinator if you are in doubt
How to write the correct reference when using Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI is not a source, but if the thesis allows for the use of generative AI, you can account for your use of AI in this way. In the source compass, it is recommended, in accordance with APA7 style, that you describe in the text how you have used AI, and possibly include what you entered and what you got out of the tool in the submission. Such descriptions may, for example, be included in the methodology chapter or in relevant sections. In the reference list, specify the type of AI or tool you used, including required information about the AI model, developer or vendor door, and version number. If you are unsure how to do this, contact the course coordinator.
When you have used AI to get ideas or structure an academic assignment, you should refer to it in the text and in the reference list. Explain in the text how you have used the AI tool and what kind of contribution it has made to the thesis.
A reference to GPT UiO that is based on the reference style APA7 might look like this:
In this thesis, I have used the language model GPT-4 Omni (OpenAI, 2024) through GPT UiO to generate ideas and arguments for my text. I have used GPT UiO to suggest themes, issues and research questions for the thesis, and to find or formulate supporting or contradictory arguments for these.
In the reference list, the reference to GPT UiO will look like this:
OpenAI. (2024). UiO GPT (Version GPT-4 Omni) [Large Language Model]. University of Oslo. https://gpt.uio.no/
With the use of AI for language proofing, you can, for example, ask for help to find grammatical errors and improve sentence structure. All suggestions should be considered and adapted to the context of the assignment. The final text and responsibility for the content always lies with you as a student. (Read more about the use of AI for proofreading at VID's Learning blog.)
Please note the following:
- If you use AI to improve text, you must check the text yourself and assess whether it has actually been improved and that the content of the text has not been changed. As a student, you are expected to submit an independently produced text.
- Use secure AI chat to avoid sharing sensitive data or personal information.
A reference to GPT UiO that is based on the reference style APA7 might look like this:
In this thesis, I have used the language model GPT-3.5 Turbo (OpenAI, 2020) through GPT UiO) to identify and correct grammatical errors and improve sentence structure. This tool was used to ensure linguistic clarity and correctness in the text.
In the reference list, the reference to GPT UiO will look like this:
OpenAI. (2020). GPT UiO (Version GPT-3.5 Turbo) [Large Language Model]. University of Oslo. https://gpt.uio.no/
NB! Replace the version of the language model with the one you are using: (Version GPT-4o mini, released May 13, 2024, Version GPT-4 Omni, released March 14, 2023, or Version GPT-3.5 Turbo, released November 30, 2022). The year in the running text must be linked to the reference.
See more in the Source Compass.
Resources
A lot is written by many people about Artificial Intelligence. VID has its own resource pages about AI: https://www.vid.no/e-laering/kunstig-intelligens-i-undervisning-og-vurdering/. Here you will find more information and relevant resources related to AI.
Please also see Artificial Intelligence | Search & Write.