Information for Teachers and Students

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini can be useful for both teachers and students. To ensure that these tools are used responsibly and effectively, it is important to understand their nature, strengths, and limitations. Reykjavik University (RU) places strong emphasis on developing students’ critical thinking skills, which are key to the responsible use of AI in education. 

Students are always responsible for their own work and must be able to explain or defend it, for instance, if AI-generated content is inaccurate or biased. Therefore, students should carefully review and critically assess all material produced by AI and clearly distinguish between supporting content and their own independent work. 

The following guidelines outline recommended practices for the use of AI in teaching and learning. It is the responsibility of both teachers and students to familiarise themselves with the rules and policies that apply at RU and within their departments. 

Permitted Use of AI

Preparation for Teaching and Assessment

Teachers are encouraged to:  

• Reconsider teaching and assessment methods in light of AI developments. 
• Explore effective forms of assessment suited to the AI era, such as oral exams, defences, or in-person assessments. 
• Be mindful of which components of the assessment are considered secure or less secure. 

Examples of secure assessment: 

• Oral exams, closed-system exams, and in-person written exams at RU. 

Examples of less secure assessments: 

• Take-home exams, Canvas-based exams, and standard essays. 

Teachers are encouraged to seek support from the AI project manager within the Teaching Development Office when reviewing their teaching and assessment methods. 

Teaching assistants (TAs) must follow the lead teacher’s instructions regarding the permitted use of AI in the course. 

Prohibited Use of AI

Students must comply fully with the teacher’s instructions on AI use. If a student uses AI, this must always be disclosed. Unauthorised use of AI or use contrary to instructions constitutes a violation of RU’s ethical standards for academic integrity. 

Suspected Misconduct 

If a student is suspected of having used AI inappropriately or without permission, or failed to declare its use, the same rules and sanctions apply as for other forms of academic misconduct. 

The teacher may request a meeting, defence, or oral exam to verify that the student completed the work independently. Teachers should specify this possibility clearly in course documentation at the start of the term. 

Serious breaches shall be referred to RU’s formal disciplinary process. 

Data Protection and Confidentiality 

Students are reminded that all information entered into AI tools is stored in external databases and may be used to train the systems. Teachers must therefore not input any personally identifiable or confidential information into AI systems. 

Reliability and Misleading Outputs 

AI tools generate likely answers but cannot verify their own accuracy. Although AI responses may appear correct, they can be inaccurate or biased. Therefore, users must verify all information independently. 

Tools such as Turnitin may offer indications of AI-generated text, but no software can provide definitive proof. It is always better to engage directly with students and encourage oral defences or reflective components in assignments. 

Procedures 

For Teachers 

The course syllabus must clearly state: 

• Whether AI use is permitted 
• The purpose and scope of permitted use 
• Submission requirements for assignments involving AI (e.g., description, screenshots, references) 

Final Assessment: 
AI tools are generally prohibited in final examinations, unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus. It is recommended that digital exams be conducted in a secure (lockdown) environment when applicable. 

Teachers are not permitted to use artificial intelligence that is not hosted in a closed environment for grading or assessing final coursework/examinations. 

Responsible Use and Awareness

Teachers play a key role in encouraging students to use AI responsibly. At the start of each semester, it is recommended that teachers discuss: 

• The advantages and limitations of AI 
• Expectations for independent work 
• Critical thinking and referencing practices 

Both teachers and students should also bear in mind that responsible AI use includes minimising energy consumption. Energy-intensive applications, such as image or video generation, should be avoided unless essential to the learning process. 

Summary

Teachers are encouraged to use AI tools wisely and responsibly. These guidelines aim to help teachers: 

• Understand when AI use is permitted and when it is not 
• Develop a clear policy for AI use in their courses 
• Educate students about responsible AI use 
• Promote academic integrity 

Students may use AI in their studies with the teacher’s permission — as a learning aid rather than a substitute for independent work. 

These guidelines aim to ensure that students: 

• Use AI responsibly and with critical awareness 
• Understand the nature and limitations of AI-generated content 
• Follow teachers’ instructions regarding AI use 
• Approach their studies with integrity, striving to develop their own skills and knowledge 

AI has become a part of everyday academic life. It is therefore essential for both teachers and students to understand its benefits and limitations. By using AI critically and responsibly, RU aims to foster a fair, flexible, and trustworthy learning environment. 

Approved by the Executive Council, Nov 14th 2025 
Revised by Teaching Development, May 2026