New Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance
30 Oct 2023
An update from Steve Pettifer and Gabrielle Finn
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become an integral part of our daily lives. We see AI making personalised recommendations for movies on Netflix and songs on Spotify and chatting with us through virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri.
Though the idea of 'thinking machines' dates back to the early days of computing, and Artificial Intelligence (though often invisible) has pervaded our daily lives for some time, it is the arrival in late 2022 of easy access to Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT that has raised the biggest questions for teaching and learning. AI tools have the potential to enhance teaching and learning, and can support inclusivity and accessibility, but also pose real challenges that will force us to rethink how we teach and assess.
The University has recently set out its position with respect to the use of AI in teaching by staff and students. This short document sets out what can and cannot be done with AI, while providing scope for innovation and creativity in its use in teaching and learning.
New Artificial Intelligence (AI) Teaching Guidance was commissioned by the Teaching and Learning Strategy Group (TLSG) and produced by Steve Pettifer, Academic Lead for Digital Learning, with input from across the University. The new Guidance is available at:
Advice for staff using AI in Assessment. The Assessment Toolkit is available at:
As part of this development, the existing Guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice has been updated to include reference to AI. This can be found at:
The Library have updated their guidance on how to cite AI:
Before the summer, suggested wording about AI was publicised for inclusion in programme handbooks. This has also been updated and is available below. It is envisaged that this wording is used for inclusion in all programme handbooks and course unit handbooks, or equivalent, going forwards.
The Academic Malpractice Procedure (owned by the Division of Campus Life) will also undergo revision to include reference to the use of AI, but this is not, as yet, included in the current version:
Any queries relating to the use of AI should be directed to: Steve Pettifer (steve.pettifer@manchester.ac.uk).
Steve Pettifer
Academic Lead for Digital Learning
Gabrielle Finn
Associate Vice-President (AVP) for Teaching, Learning and Students