AI resolution and measures

The Senate of Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences has repeatedly committed itself to academic ethics and academic standards.

Scientific activity requires responsibility for the knowledge gained. This responsibility is borne by the authors of academic work. The technical development of the possibilities of artificial intelligence as an aid in the scientific knowledge process is welcomed. Their application in the context of student and academic work requires a number of principles that must be observed in the following.

Students are introduced to academic standards during their studies. Therefore, the principles for academic work should also be observed during their studies, as described in the "Guideline for Safeguarding Good Academic Practice at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences" of 4 April 2023.

The Senate emphasises the importance of written work during studies. Written examination forms such as seminar papers, term papers and internship reports serve to practise academic work. Final theses are evidence of the skills acquired during the degree programme. Further training courses on academic work should be available to all students and staff throughout the university.

The Senate endorsed the resolution in the above version at its meeting on 15 February 2024. The Senate recommends that the following principles be observed:

1. The authors of student work and the academics at H-BRS are responsible for ensuring that their own behaviour complies with the standards of good academic practice.

2.The education and commitment to academic ethics and academic standards must be an integral part of all curricula of all first-year degree programmes.

3. All theses are checked for plagiarism. For this purpose, they are generally also submitted in electronic form.

4. The assessment of student work with regard to the fulfilment of academic standards (independence, correct citation, freedom from plagiarism, etc.) is carried out by the examiners. Examiners can use software programmes to check work. Data protection must be ensured.

5. Violation of the standards, e.g. through lack of independence, unauthorised use of AI or plagiarism, generally results in failure of the thesis and can lead to de-registration in the event of multiple or other serious attempts at cheating.

6. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools as an aid does not contradict the standards of good scientific practice; the use of AI tools is therefore permitted in the preparation of student work under the following basic conditions:

• The support of artificial intelligence tools is to be indicated as an aid in the preparation of written work. Use may be restricted for certain examinations. Further details are determined by the responsible examination board.
• Irrespective of the AI support, the work must represent an individual independent achievement by the student.
• AI information requires critical review by the author. Direct, unchecked adoption of texts is contrary to the standards of good academic practice and is therefore not permitted.

7. Students and lecturers are encouraged to openly discuss and clarify questions regarding the permissibility of AI support in the context of supervision.

The departments are requested to develop concrete regulations on the permissibility of AI support in examinations and to communicate these to students. The Senate will continue to advocate a continuous exchange on standards of good scientific practice.