It depends on your course. At NIU, expectations can vary by professor and assignment. If you’re not sure, check your syllabus and/or ask before using AI. Your professor determines if and how AI technologies may be used in coursework.
Students
NIU is preparing students to navigate a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. By promoting responsible and innovative uses of AI in learning, NIU helps students build the knowledge and skills needed to apply AI thoughtfully across disciplines.
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Guidelines
The guidelines below were developed to support students and faculty navigating the use of AI technologies at NIU.
AI in Teaching and Learning
Guidance supporting faculty and students in navigating the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, while preserving course-level flexibility and alignment with NIU policies.
AI and Research
Information and tutorials provided by NIU Libraries about using AI-assisted tools in your literature search.
AI Ethical Guidelines
Concise set of values and practices to guide responsible, equitable, and transparent use of AI in teaching and learning at NIU.
AI Literacies Framework
Framework for building foundational awareness, effective teaching applications, and reflective practices for integrating AI responsibly into instruction at NIU.
Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence
The Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence offers students a comprehensive introduction to the opportunities and challenges that AI brings — academically, professionally, and ethically. This guide helps students understand not only what AI tools can do, but also how to use them responsibly and critically as part of their learning and future careers.
Policies
The university continues to evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, and student engagement as part of our broader academic and operational planning. Faculty and staff are encouraged to stay informed about their responsibilities related to protecting the security and privacy of personal data and intellectual property when using AI tools.
Responsible Use
NIU provides a number of approved AI tools and technologies to support teaching and learning. These tools are covered by agreements with vendors to ensure compliance with university policies and applicable data privacy laws. Because they offer important protections not guaranteed by publicly available large-language AI tools, NIU recommends that students, faculty and staff use only AI tools that have been vetted and approved through the appropriate university processes.
Tools
These tools have been licensed by NIU and are available to all NIU faculty and align with the NIU AI Ethical Guidelines.
Adobe Firefly, Express and Creative Clouds
Authoring, Communication, Digital Literacy, Digital Storytelling
Use AI-powered features like image generation in Adobe Firefly and Express, generative fill in Photoshop, automated design assistance in InDesign and Illustrator, and automated transcription in Adobe Podcast and Premiere Pro.
For NIU faculty, staff and students
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Chat, Productivity
Chat with Copilot in Windows, mobile apps, at m365.niu.edu, or in Microsoft Teams. NIU’s M365 license includes commercial data protection to safeguard sensitive university data when stored and processed within the platform.
For NIU faculty, staff and students
Quinncia
Career Services, Mock Interviews, Resume Review
Quinncia uses AI to give students personalized feedback on their resume, LinkedIn profile and interview skills with tailored tips and real-time insights.
For NIU students
Top Five Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the syllabus and assignment instructions. If the course policy is unclear, contact your professor for guidance before using AI.
Many faculty will require acknowledgement and/or citation when AI meaningfully contributed to what you submit (ideas, text, code, images, etc.). NIU provides examples of course AI policies (ranging from prohibited, to permitted with permission, to permitted with acknowledgement).
Disclosure is always preferable to silence. If you used AI in any meaningful way, be transparent about how you used it (for example, brainstorming ideas, outlining, checking clarity or revising language) and follow your professor’s specific instructions for acknowledgement or citation.
Because expectations vary by course and by assignment, always review your syllabus and assignment guidelines and ask your professor if you are unsure how AI use should be disclosed. Clear, proactive disclosure helps protect you from misunderstandings and potential academic integrity concerns.
Don't submit AI-generated work as if it's solely your own if your professor doesn't allow it—or if disclosure is required. Remember that academic dishonesty applies broadly in the academic environment and that research misconduct includes serious violations like claiming another person's or entity's work as your own.
When using AI, be especially careful about plagiarism and misattribution, including:
- Submitting AI-generated text that closely mirrors existing books, articles or websites
- Copying or lightly editing AI output that reproduces ideas or language from a real author without a citation
- Relying on AI-generated citations without checking the original sources
- Citing sources you have not personally read or verified
Because AI tools can sometimes reproduce or closely paraphrase copyrighted material without citation, you should always:
- Read the original sources yourself
- Write in your own words and academic voice
- Cite real authors and publications accurately
- Disclose permitted AI use when required by your professor
Become familiar with NIU’s Student Code of Conduct and course-specific AI policies and ask your professor if you are unsure whether a particular use of AI is allowed or how it should be acknowledged. Also, the Northern Pact outlines the values of the NIU community and describes how you can help support them. How you decide to engage with AI should be guided by these values.
Learning is not the same thing as getting the "right" answer. College is about exploring new ideas, thinking about things in a different way, challenging what you know and building your own knowledge. If you rely on AI, you miss out on the benefits of learning which involves your own thinking. Using AI eliminates the necessary friction to learn.
In addition, using AI simply to obtain answers also carries a real environmental cost. Each AI query requires energy, computing resources and data-center infrastructure. When AI use is not necessary for learning, it's worth weighing whether the educational benefit justifies the environmental impact involved.
Suggest a Resource
Have a resource that you'd recommend adding? Email it to ai@niu.edu.