Center for Leadership & Social Change

It is important to give credit where credit is due whenever you use someone's ideas in a paper or project.

Florida State University's Office of Research defines plagiarism as "the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit." Typical examples that are stated in the FSU Academic Honor Policy include:

• using another's work from print, web, or other sources without acknowledging the source;
• quoting from a source without citation;
• using facts, figures, graphs, charts or information without acknowledgment of the source;
• utilizing ghostwriting or pay-for-paper services;
• submitting another’s work through online thesaurus software.

To avoid plagiarism, you must include a citation to the source in your work. But be sure to apply the appropriate citation style required by your professor. More information on the different citation styles can be found in the tabbed box below.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that learns, reasons, and processes natural language. AI can power chatbots, compose music, write copy and code, generate images, and streamline work. AI learns through a variety of sources, the most common of which being through a large language model.

In 2024, FSU established the Artificial Intelligence in Education Advisory Committee (AIEAC) to evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on teaching and learning, as well as develop policies and practices that support effective use of the technology. In the meantime, please know that the current FSU Academic Honor Policy addresses misconduct such as:

• Using “work from print, web, or other sources without acknowledging the source” (plagiarism). 
• “Improper access to or use of any information or material that is not specifically condoned by the instructor for use in the academic exercise” (cheating).
• “Unauthorized altering or inventing of any information or citation” (fabrication/falsification). 

The policy also speaks to other violations that may be facilitated by AI tools.

How Can I Use AI Appropriately?

In any situation across any course, your first resource should be referring to your course syllabus and instructor's policy on using AI in the class. Some instructors may encourage using prompt generation for an AI chatbot and sourcing the prompt and/or conversation, while others may prohibit the use of AI entirely.

Florida State University's Office of Distance Learning suggests the three most common approaches instructors may take toward the inclusion of AI in their classes. However, these examples are not indications of exactly what each of your courses may entail, and you should contact your instructor before utilizing AI on an assignment.