Generative AI at UCL
What is generative AI?
Generative AI are digital tools and services, like Copilot, that are based on artificial intelligence (AI). These tools can, among other things, write texts that appear as if they were written by a person. Moreover, the tools can generate text on a wide range of topics, and most of the time, the quality is relatively high. These tools may be useful to you as a student, but it is important to apply them in a critical and ethical manner.
Use of generative AI
Below you can read the basic rules on how you can use generative AI at UCL. The rules may be adjusted continuously, so it is important that you always check this page for any changes.
FAQ about generative AI
As a general rule, it is permitted to use Copilot, ChatGPT and similar generative AI technologies during exams unless otherwise specifically stated in the exam description. If you are unsure about the rules for a particular assignment or exam, you should contact your leturer and/or counsellor.
You should be aware that you must inform that you have used generative AI in your assignment in accordance with the guidelines.
AI guidelines for students within the context of exams and tests at UCL
If you use generative AI in violation of the rules, it will be considered exam cheating.
It is allowed for you as a student to use Copilot as support in your studies. For example, it can be useful for your learning in relation to:
- Text/language feedback
- Structuring ideas or content
- Summarizing large amounts of information
However, it is a requirement that you use the tools consciously, reflectively and critically, as they are filled with errors and do not take context etc. into account.
UCL uses Copilot as a generative text AI/language model, and it is the language model that you as a student can use for your study work, if you want to use a language model. Microsoft Copilot uses the same "engine" as ChatGPT, i.e. the two technologies are almost identical.
But why does UCL strongly discourage the use of ChatGPT?
Although they share the same technological "engine", there is a big difference in how Microsoft and OpenAI (which is behind ChatGTP) handle personal data and comply with GDPR. The default setting at OpenAI is that all "conversations" are stored on their servers and are included in the data for training future language models.
Microsoft Copilot, in our opinion, is the availible language model that offers the best security and handling of personal data. Once logged in, your conversations will not be saved, nor will they be used to train future language models.
How do I access Copilot?
When using Copilot, sign in with your UCL Microsoft login.
Learn more about Microsoft sign-in
On the Service Portal you can find relevant guides on how to access Copilot.
Experience with generative AI tools
We would love to hear from you as a student, as you know best what your needs are and how to use generative AI tools in practice.
Therefore, we would like to hear from you if you have experiences that you want to share.
You can choose to remain anonymous, and we recommend naming other students only if they have given their consent. However, we would like the opportunity to follow up, so we encourage you to provide your name and contact information.
General comments on generative AI
If you think that there is something missing from this page, or if you have other comments in relation to generative AI, you can create an case via the Service Portal.