Using Gen AI at Salford
Follow our guiding principles when using Generative AI (GenAI) as part of your studies at Salford.
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Generative AI and your studies
Complete our GenAI eLearning
All University of Salford students should complete our GenAI eLearning so that you understand how to use it responsibly and effectively in your studies.
We have three guiding principles to follow when you use GenAI as part of your studies, including when you're:
- studying.
- note-taking.
- finding information.
- completing your assessments.
Guiding principles
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Follow the guidance in your Assessment Guidance document.
The default position across the University is that you may use GenAI in reasonable and appropriate ways to support your work. This can vary from one assessment to another, though, so you always need to check your Assessment Guidance document before using GenAI. Using it outside the permitted scope may be considered misrepresentation under the University’s Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Misconduct Procedure. If anything is unclear, ask your module leader.
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Protect information and use approved tools.
Use Microsoft 365 Copilot signed in with your University account wherever possible, as this is the University-approved GenAI tool and is covered by the University's data security policy. Never enter personal data, unpublished research, your own or anyone else’s work, or other sensitive or confidential information into a tool that is not University-approved. Even when using Microsoft 365 Copilot, think carefully about the information you enter.
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Verify, understand and take responsibility.
GenAI can produce inaccurate, incomplete, or biased information. Verify its outputs using reliable original sources (such as professional websites, academic books and journal articles) and cite those sources as your evidence - not the GenAI tool. Make sure your submitted work reflects your own understanding. You remain responsible for everything you submit. Treat GenAI outputs as a starting point, not a source.
Find out more about each of these principles on the linked pages below.
Using GenAI Tools Effectively
Learn about AI tools supported by the University and explore how to write effective prompts.
Gen AI and the environment
GenAI systems and their use consumes a lot of energy and can have a significant environmental impact. This energy consumption can lead to increased carbon emissions, contributing to climate change.
Cooling the hardware used for AI operations consumes large amounts of water, which can strain local water supplies and impact ecosystems. We aren’t saying don’t use GenAI, but ensure your use is considered and thoughtful.
Tips to reduce your impact:
- Use GenAI only when it genuinely adds value.
- Choose simpler tools (e.g. spell-check) when appropriate.
- Avoid running long or repeated prompts unnecessarily.
- If your chosen search engine automatically includes a GenAI summary, you can exclude this by adding '-AI' at the end of your search request. E.g. Study skills for first year university students -AI.