We know that lots of students are anxious about whether an assignment might be at risk of being flagged as AI, and are unsure about what this means. So, this will outline how ULaw markers generally work out whether a student may have used generative AI to create an assignment. 

Remember, your degree is designed to give you critical thinking and writing skills, so it is important to develop these by doing your assignments yourself. If you don’t have enough time or are struggling, reach out to the Disability team or the SU Advice service at SUAdvice@law.ac.uk. 

Currently (as of June 2024), if an assignment is at or above 20% AI generated, this will trigger consideration for an investigation into whether AI was inappropriately used to generate an assignment. Under current ULaw policy, you will need to submit another assignment if your work has been found to be AI generated. 

Each of the below factors demonstrate how AI can produce inappropriate content for assignments. 

1. Do you have few references, or references from strange resources? It is typical that generative AI will ‘hallucinate’ references, making them up, which do not actually exist when you search for them externally. It’s also common for AI to have access to references only accessible behind expensive paywalls. 

2. AI commonly refers to America (be that case law, examples, or phrases) which would not be appropriate for UK-based research. 

3. AI might generate information about complex theories or topics that are irrelevant or so complex that it would be atypical for a student’s work. Similarly, AI usually uses very formal, perfect grammar. This can make it easy to spot sections of an assignment generated by AI, and if assignments are to an unexpectedly higher standard than expected. 

However, AI can be very useful for students, as outlined below:

1. If you need to practise questions, you can ask AI to test your understanding.

2. If you don’t understand materials, you might ask AI to explain a topic to you in a basic way.

3. If you’re low on time before class or need a reminder of content, AI can give you quick summaries.

Remember, the details and nuances are how you can often get higher marks, which usually aren’t provided if you’re asking AI for summaries of chapters. 

If you are concerned that your degree is not giving you the necessary AI-related skills needed for your employment, please reach out to the SU so that we can continue to advocate for this. Or, if you want more up-to-date guidance about how to use AI ethically and efficiently in your studies, please contact us. At the SU, we take our role in advocating for students very seriously. 

Happy Studying!

Huma Hasan

Co-President (2023-24)