Has your department instituted an AI policy? If so, whom does it govern, and what does it say? What should such a policy say? Has your department considered an AI policy but held off on writing or implementing it?  If so, what issues, disputes, or questions have contributed to the delay? Does your department even have the institutional authority to have such a policy? Would it be better to not have a policy? These and other questions are prompted today by word that the Department of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh recently adopted a policy for the use of AI by students in philosophy courses. It’s the default policy, which means it can be superseded by policies developed by individual instructors for their courses or approved disability accommodations. Here it is: Policy on the use of AI in Philosophy Courses Summary: Edinburgh philosophy is human made! The use of AI is prohibited when completing assessed work in philosophy. Definition: AI includes but is not limited to Generative AI systems capable of producing essays, summaries, explanations, or arguments AI systems that use Large Language Models (LLM) Automated paraphrasing or rewriting tools AI systems that generate images, audio, or video AI systems that answer questions or provide explanations in natural language This definition includes all models of ChatGPT, all models of Gemini, all models of Claude, similar tools such as Midjourney, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and Grammarly, as well as all tools hosted on the ELM platform of the University of Edinburgh. Note: Standard spell-checking software (e.g. in Microsoft Word), citation management software, and grammar checkers that conform to the university’s Proofreading Policy are excluded from the definition of AI. Statement of policy: Philosophy courses aim to foster careful original thought, improve persuasive academic writing skills, and enhance students’ abilities to understand complex topics. Using generative AI tools to produce assessed work is almost always detrimental to this aim, which is why the use of AI is prohibited in writing, revising, and editing of academic work that is submitted for assessment in Philosophy. This includes undergraduate and postgraduate essays, undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, take-home exams, or any other form of assessment. Violations of the policy may be referred to the School Academic Misconduct..

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