Instructions: To add the content below to your course, use the following HTML code. Here is a link for those who need a refresher on using the HTML view in the Rich Content Editor. To change the background color, font colors, or box colors, please refer to Adding Custom Colors to Boxes While Maintaining Readability and Adding Color to a Canvas Page with a Border to ensure your color choices are ADA-compliant.

Note: At times, UDOIT flags color usage; therefore, to resolve this issue, I have added the <div class="phpally-ignore"> to the HTML. This allows ADA readers to disregard color, particularly since it does not convey any significance.

Note: If you want to download a more colorful version of this information, use "Why AI Ethics Matter" instead.

Why Ethics Matter

Think About This:

Can you recall a time when technology decided for you? How did it impact you?

How could relying heavily on AI negatively impact your long-term learning?

Do you always follow the best practices when using AI?

Use AI to support—not replace—critical thinking.
Always fact-check outputs.
Ask and follow the instructors' AI usage policies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a core part of learning, research, and everyday life. Understanding how to use AI responsibly helps ensure that these tools support—not undermine—academic integrity, personal well‑being, and social good. The principles below outline the ethical foundations students should keep in mind when working with AI systems.

Key Ethical Principles

Fairness

AI systems should treat people fairly and consistently. If an AI tool performs well for one group but poorly for another, that's an ethical warning sign. These systems must avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or treating individuals unfairly based on race, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics.

Students should also understand that AI tools can reflect the biases present in their training data.
That's why it's important to critically evaluate AI‑generated outputs for fairness and question whether the results treat all people equitably.

Examples

Responsible: Noticing that an AI-generated example consistently uses one gender for a profession and intentionally revising it to include diverse representations.
Irresponsible: Accepting biased AI-generated content (e.g., associating certain jobs with specific races or genders) and using it in a class project without question.

Transparency

Users should understand how and why an AI system produces its results.
While not all technical details are visible, responsible AI tools should provide clear explanations, disclaimers, and usage guidelines.
Students should disclose when and how they use AI in their academic work, in accordance with course or institutional policies.

Examples

Responsible: Stating in your assignment, "I used an AI tool to brainstorm topic ideas, but all writing and analysis are my own."
Irresponsible: Submitting AI-generated text as if you wrote it yourself, without disclosure, when your instructor requires you to report AI use.

Privacy

AI systems must protect personal information and avoid unnecessary data collection or sharing.
Students should avoid entering sensitive, private, or identifying information into AI tools unless they are certain it is safe and permitted.
Respecting others' privacy also means not using AI to analyze or generate information about people without consent.

Examples

Responsible: Using anonymized data (no names, IDs, or specific details) when asking an AI tool for help analyzing a scenario.
Irresponsible: Pasting a classmate's personal story, name, and contact information into an AI tool to "improve" it without their knowledge.

Accountability

Humans—not AI—are responsible for decisions, actions, and academic work.
Students must verify AI‑generated content, correct errors, and ensure that their use of AI aligns with academic integrity standards.
If AI is misused, accountability rests with the user, not the tool.

Examples

Responsible: Fact-checking AI-generated references and replacing incorrect citations with accurate ones from library databases.
Irresponsible: Blaming "the AI" for plagiarism or incorrect information in your paper after submitting it without review.

Safety & Reliability

AI systems should be designed to minimize harm and function consistently.
Students should recognize that AI can produce inaccurate, outdated, or misleading information.
Students should always double‑check facts, citations, and technical details before relying on them.

Examples

Responsible: Using AI to get an overview of a topic, then confirming key points with peer-reviewed sources or your textbook.
Irresponsible: Copying AI-generated medical or legal advice and sharing it as reliable guidance without any verification.

Human Oversight

AI should support—not replace—human judgment.
Students should remain actively involved in evaluating AI outputs, making decisions, and applying critical thinking.
In academic settings, instructors set the expectations for when and how AI may be used.

Examples

Responsible: Using AI to generate practice quiz questions, then reviewing them to ensure they match course content and difficulty.
Irresponsible: Letting AI choose your research sources and arguments without reading or understanding them yourself.

Beneficence (Act of Doing Good)

AI should be used in ways that promote learning, creativity, accessibility, and positive outcomes.
Students can use AI to brainstorm ideas, deepen their understanding, and enhance their productivity—when used ethically.

Examples

Responsible: Asking AI to explain a complex concept in simpler language, then using that explanation to guide your own study.
Irresponsible: Using AI to generate clickbait or misleading content that confuses others or spreads misinformation.

Non‑Maleficence (Avoiding Harm)

The use of AI should avoid harming individuals, communities, or institutions.
Avoiding harm also means avoiding plagiarism, misinformation, harassment, and the misuse of personal data.
Students should consider the potential consequences of AI‑generated content before sharing or submitting it.

Examples

Responsible: Refusing to use AI to create insulting memes or targeted messages about a classmate.
Irresponsible: Using AI to generate threatening or harassing messages, or to fabricate "evidence" about someone.

Quick Checklist for Responsible AI Use

Am I allowed to use AI for this assignment? Check your course syllabus or ask your instructor.
Am I being transparent? Have I clearly stated how I used AI, if required?
Did I verify the information? Have I checked facts, citations, and logic?
Is it fair and respectful? Does the content avoid bias, harm, or invasion of privacy?
Is this truly my work? Am I still learning, thinking, and creating—not just copying?

The content on this page was created using Microsoft Copilot.

Microsoft. (2026, February 2). AI ethics and key principles for college students [Generative AI chat]. Copilot. https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat/?fromCode=cmcv2&redirectId=73767C3321FB4FE08DBCF12A48F473FC&login_hint=diamandA%40LSSC.EDU&internalredirect=CCM