A Library Guide for Students on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools

 

 

The rise of ChatGPT induces the use of different Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (GenAI tools), which transform various aspects of our lives. Here are some points to note when you use GenAI tools during your learning process.

 

 1. Academic Integrity  

Depending on the nature of assessments and requirements of teachers, the use of GenAI tools may or may not be permitted. Consult your teachers if you have any questions.

If you were allowed to use GenAI tools in your assignments, follow instructions from your teachers to acknowledge the use of GenAI tools, such as citations and declaration of use of these tools. The work that you submitted must be your original work.

All information generated, including non-text resources like images, must be properly cited when you use them in your assignment. You may refer to the Library’s Generative AI for Learning and Research guide to cite information generated from GenAI tools.

 

2. Considering below ethical issues when using GenAI tools: 

  • Data security and privacy: There is a potential risk of data leakage from GenAI tools to external sources. Ensure not to disclose confidential information like your personal data when using these tools.
  • Copyright: Some contents generated from GenAI tools may be protected by copyright. You may need to check whether permission to use the contents is required from the copyright owner. Read more about copyright issues in education for Hong Kong.

 

3. Verifying information from GenAI tools 

GenAI tools may provide you with some fake/ false information that seems reliable. The possibility of receiving fabricated information may vary for different language materials. Therefore, you need to double-check the accuracy and authenticity of information generated by these tools.

  • Even if the information is accurate, you need to be critical of claims made by GenAI tools, because they could be biased and not objective, depending on the data used to train them.
  • It is suggested to verify information generated from GenAI tools with authoritative sources such as government and education institutions’ websites and Library resources including books, journals, etc.

 

4. Writing effective prompts in GenAI tools  

You need to enter a question or a prompt to guide a GenAI tool to provide the information you want. Therefore, writing effective prompts is an essential skill in times of GenAI, similar to setting appropriate keywords to facilitate search in an online search engine.

Here is some advice on writing prompts to get more relevant results:

  • Write with clear and specific instructions; avoid asking broad questions.
  • Define your purpose and focus with an appropriate choice of words.
  • Provide context like your role, audience and intended tone in prompts to ensure the generated contents are suitable for the intended audience and purpose.

For more examples of prompts, you may refer to this website.

 

Please note that the above guidelines serve as brief introductions. The Library is committed to supporting students’ learning and research using GenAI tools. We offer more in-depth assistance through workshops, online guides, and consultation services and are always pleased to provide further guidance and support as needed. We aim to help you make the most of these tools and achieve academic success.

 

 

References:

Atlas, S. (2023). ChatGPT for Higher Education and Professional Development: A Guide to Conversational AI.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cba_facpubs/548 

Generative AI Working Group, Australian Academic Integrity Network. (2023). AAIN Generative Artificial Intelligence Guidelines.
https://www.teqsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-04/aain-generative-ai-guidelines.pdf 

Lund, B., & Wang, T. (2023). Chatting about ChatGPT: How may AI and GPT impact academia and libraries? Library Hi Tech News, 40(3), 26-29.
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/LHTN-01-2023-0009/full/html 

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Library. (2024). Generative AI for Learning and Research.
https://libguides.library.hsu.edu.hk/c.php?g=970745&p=7060178

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. (2023). Guidelines for Students on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ar/docdrive/polyu-students/Student-guide-on-the-use-GenAI.pdf