Developing an Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Misconduct Procedures in an Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Five Tips for Success

Abstract

The widespread availability of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) technologies has brought academic integrity into sharper focus for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The ease with which AI-generated content can be produced has heightened the risk of academic misconduct including plagiarism and unauthorised assistance and forces HEIs to re-examine academic integrity policy and academic misconduct procedures as they seek to adapt to this technological advancement. This paper seeks to provide tips for policy makers and educational leaders within HEIs to develop or update academic integrity policies and academic misconduct procedures in light of the ubiquity of Gen AI. The tips are presented across five broad domains: Policy Writing as a Shared Activity, Institutional Co-operation and Collaboration, National Discussion and Benchmarking, Policy implementation and Plan for an Uncertain Future. The tips which designed to be a practical roadmap regardless of the size or location of the HEI are based on pedagogical and organisation theory as well as referencing national and international guidance. The pace of change wrought by Gen AI is likely to have an ongoing and significant impact on education for many years to come. It is anticipated that the framework for reflecting and acting on this issue will therefore remain of interest to educationalists into the future.