Far Eastern University (FEU) recognizes the need to adapt to innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in the academic setting. To benefit from AI while maintaining academic standards, the university updated its Academic Integrity policies with a set of guidelines on the responsible and ethical use of AI by faculty and students.
These guidelines focus on transparency, limitations of use, and preserving the university’s student-centered approach to learning.
“AI has been here for a long time, and FEU welcomes its use as an educational tool. However, it should not serve as a replacement for actual students’ performance. That’s why we needed to come up with a policy highlighting academic integrity, and we also conduct workshops to guide students on the proper use of AI tools,” said Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, FEU Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
As part of its commitment to upholding academic standards, FEU recently held its annual Academic Integrity Day where students and faculty engaged in a discourse about integrity across different industries and innovations.
Educational tool
According to the 2024 Work Trend Index conducted by Microsoft Philippines and LinkedIn, 86% of knowledge workers in the Philippines use AI tools. This signals a growing industry demand for graduates who are equipped with necessary AI skills and therefore calls on its integration in the higher education learning process.
Under FEU’s new directives, the use of AI as an educational tool is encouraged in so far as it promotes “persuasive communication, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, creative problem solving, professionalism, and responsible digital citizenship” among students.
FEU also provides training and workshops to help its faculty become skilled with AI technologies. This enables them to use AI in their teaching and to guide students in using these tools effectively.
Transparency and limitations
While FEU recognizes the benefits of AI for education, it warns against its indiscriminate use and highlights its limitations. One major issue is “hallucination,” where AI can create false citations, make incorrect calculations, and provide wrong data, which are potentially harmful to students who become overly reliant on the technology..
Teachers also need to understand their students’ capabilities, including their writing styles, and ensure AI use aligns with learning outcomes, according to Tinio.
FEU’s guidelines require students to disclose the AI tools they use in their work. Continued non-compliance may potentially lead to being flagged for academic dishonesty.
In addition, the FEU Center for Learning Enhancement and Research Services conducts academic integrity workshops for students who might need guidance when it comes to the responsible use of AI in university.
