Generative AI – FAQ

Absolutely!

Learning and Teaching Services is available to meet with you to discuss the use of Generative AI within your teaching. Please use our bookings page to schedule an appointment with us here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/book-an-appointment/

Additionally, Learning and Teaching Services will be offering Feedback Sessions and Workshops in the near future. Keep an eye on our Professional Development page here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/pd/

There are many tools arising that suggest they can detect ChatGPT/AI use. However, AI systems continue to evolve and can adapt to circumvent the very methods employed to identify their usage. This results in potential false positives that the submitted work is AI generated. Furthermore, research has shown that GPT detector tools have been shown to be biased against non-native English speakers.

This memo from the Senior Vice-President, Academic at Algonquin describes these concerns around AI detector tools. They helped to inform the College decision to not purchase licensing for Turnitin’s AI Detector Tool.

Use of Turnitin AI Detector (January 2, 2024 memo)

When using other tools, there is privacy and security concerns related to uploading of student papers that include their personal information (e.g. names, email addresses, student numbers etc.)

Therefore, using GPT tools and detector tools to check for GPT-generated content is not advised.

Please refer to the following links on APA and MLA formatting of generative AI use:

Algonquin College Library: Citing AI Content by Citation Style (Note: there are additional helpful links on the top menu of this page)

APA 7^th Edition Resources: Citing AI-generated Content in Assignments See “Artificial Intelligence” tab. (Algonquin College Library, June 19, 2023)

MLA 9: Citing AI-Generated Text and Images (Seneca College, June 14, 2023)

Here are some of the most common language model tools available:

ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com/auth/login – ChatGPT4o mini is free and does not require setting up an account.

Microsoft Copilot– Algonquin faculty and staff can log into copilot.microsoft.com to use a data-protected version. This license is currently not available to students. However, they can use the public version via Bing Search, taking care not to upload personal information. This tool is based on ChatGPT.

Google Gemini – If you have a Google account, you can access Gemini.

Perplexity – https://www.perplexity.ai/ The free version can support activities for doing basic Internet research.  Furthermore, information sources are provided within the query output.

NOTE: Ensure that your use complies with Algonquin College’s Institutional Use Guide. In particular, be mindful not to a) sign up for public GenAI tool accounts using you Algonquin credentials (to reduce college risk) and b) do not upload internal or confidential College documents, personal information, and or anything with student information.