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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How much do you really understand about how you can use GenAI while you’re studying at the University of Salford? We have a few fundamental guiding principles when it comes to using GenAI while you’re studying, note-taking and completing your assessments. You need to be familiar with these principles so you don’t accidentally commit academic misconduct or breach privacy through your use of GenAI.
On this page we will take you through how you can use GenAI in your studies, where you can find guidance in your assessment briefings, and information about the free GenAI tools you can access using your Salford student account.
Guiding principles
We have six guiding principles for the use of GenAI at Salford:
- When submitting work for assessment, always follow the guidance on using GenAI provided.
- Clearly acknowledge and document how you have used GenAI tools.
- Be mindful of data privacy when inputting your own work or the work of others into GenAI tools.
- GenAI is a tool, not a replacement for your own judgement. Always check GenAI content for accuracy and relevance.
- Use University-supported tools for their enhanced data protection features.
- Write clear prompts to help you get better, more accurate responses from GenAI tools.
Find out more about each of these principles on the linked web pages below.
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