Understanding Generative AI: Implications for Academic Integrity and Citation

Ethical and Productive—Considering Generative Artificial Intelligence Citation Across Learning and Research

Introduction

• Host: Daniel Pfeiffer from Choice and LibTech Insights.
• Speakers:
  • Kari Weaver: Learning, Teaching, and Instructional Design Librarian at the University of Waterloo.
  • Antonio Muñoz Gómez: Digital Scholarship Librarian at the University of Waterloo.
• Context: Discussion on ethical considerations and citation practices for generative AI tools like ChatGPT in academia.

Acknowledgment of Land

• Recognition of the traditional territories where the University of Waterloo is situated.
• Reflection on how citation practices are influenced by colonial approaches to knowledge ownership.

Background of the Project

• Campus Context:
  • Research-intensive university with over 42,000 students.
  • Home to the Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute.
• Emergence of Generative AI:
  • Open availability of tools like ChatGPT sparked campus-wide discussions.
  • Initial focus on AI's impact on teaching, learning, and academic integrity.

Focus on Citation Practices

• Purpose of Citation:
  • Creates an information trail and establishes academic connections.
  • Provides standardization and consistency in student assignments.
  • Supports academic integrity through transparency.
• Challenges with AI-generated Content:
  • Difficulty in citing AI-generated outputs.
  • Lack of initial guidance from traditional citation styles.
  • Need for practical solutions for students and faculty.

Ethical Dimensions

• Academic Integrity Concerns:
  • Fear of students using AI to cheat on assignments.
  • Issues with AI detection software misidentifying non-native English speakers.
• Power Dynamics:
  • Discrepancy in the use of AI tools between students and instructors.
  • Data privacy concerns when student work is uploaded to detection software.
• Reproducibility and Accountability:
  • AI outputs are inconsistent; same prompts yield different results.
  • Challenges in preserving AI-generated content for verification.

Citation in Research vs. Learning Contexts

• Research Context:
  • AI tools generally not allowed as authors in publications.
  • AI-generated images discouraged due to reliability concerns.
  • Disclosure of AI use required in methodology sections.
• Learning Context:
  • Adaptation of citation practices to include AI tools.
  • Encouragement for students to be transparent about AI use.

Development of Resources

• Initial Outputs:
  • Created a LibGuide on ChatGPT and generative AI.
  • Developed infographics and annotated prompts illustrating citation practices.
• Ongoing Work:
  • Updating resources to include guidance on citing AI-generated images and videos.
  • Exploring AI tools for literature reviews and knowledge synthesis.
• Campus Collaboration:
  • Formed a campus-wide committee with diverse representation.
  • Contributed to faculty programming and standardized syllabus language.
  • Supported resource development in partnership with other academic units.

Library Initiatives

• Internal Exploration:
  • Monthly sessions on AI tools like Whisper for transcription.
  • Workshops on AI and machine learning in academic libraries.
• Interest Groups and Bibliographies:
  • Formed an interest group on AI within the library.
  • Created a Zotero bibliography with curated readings on AI topics.
• Future Directions:
  • Participation in provincial and federal AI initiatives for academic libraries.

Q&A Session Highlights

• Use of AI in Professional Practice:
  • Librarians using AI tools for brainstorming and instructional design.
• Access to Paywalled Content:
  • AI tools generally cannot access content behind paywalls unless provided by the user.
• Guidance on AI Use in Assignments:
  • Importance of transparency and attribution when students use AI for brainstorming or editing.
  • Encouragement for faculty to discuss AI expectations with students.
• Ethical Considerations:
  • Need to address citation as a colonial practice and explore decolonized approaches.
  • Challenges with integrated AI features in tools and implications for citation.
• Institutional Policies:
  • University of Waterloo currently has no formal policy on AI use.
  • Emphasis on ongoing conversations and collaborative efforts to address AI's impact.

Conclusion

• Recognition of the complexities and rapid development of AI technologies.
• Importance of grappling with ethical, practical, and pedagogical implications.
• Encouragement for open dialogue between faculty, students, and librarians.
• Acknowledgment of the need for adaptable approaches rather than rigid policies.

Note: This summary captures key points from a presentation discussing the ethical considerations and citation practices related to the use of generative AI tools in academic learning and research contexts.

Streamline Your Writing Process with QuillBot Flow: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction to QuillBot Flow—Enhancing Your Writing Process

Introduction

• Host: Gul, leading Business Development at QuillBot.
• Team Members Present:
  • Aim: Handling administrative issues.
  • Ashish: Addressing general questions.
  • Jerry: Addressing product-related questions.
• Audience Engagement:
  • Participants from around the world, including Tanzania, Indonesia, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Philippines, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South Korea.
  • Shared favorite quotes and New Year greetings to foster community spirit.

Webinar Overview

• Purpose: To introduce QuillBot Flow, an AI-powered writing tool designed to streamline and enhance the writing process.
• Agenda:
  • Introduction to QuillBot and its mission.
  • Deep dive into QuillBot Flow features.
  • Interactive Q&A session.
  • Special surprise announcement for attendees.

About QuillBot

• Founded: In 2017 by three computer science graduates from the University of Illinois—Rohan Gupta, Anil Jason, and Dave S.
• Headquarters: Chicago, USA, and Jaipur, India.
• Mission: To make the writing process painless and help users grow and learn as writers.
• User Base:
  • Over 35 million monthly active users.
  • More than 50 million users globally.
• Key Features:
  • AI writing tools for drafting, brainstorming, researching, editing, proofreading, creating citations, summarizing, and translating.
  • Ad-free platform focused on user efficiency.

Introduction to QuillBot Flow

• Formerly Known As: QuillBot's Co-Writer.
• Description: A comprehensive AI writing platform integrating all of QuillBot's tools in one place.
• Demonstration Highlights:
  • Templates:
    • Options for blogs, academic papers, emails, letters, and custom templates.
  • Structure Generation:
    • Helps create an outline or flow for writing projects.
  • Research Assistance:
    • Integrated search within the platform.
    • Ability to insert researched content directly into the document.
  • QuillBot Flares:
    • Generate ideas, complete paragraphs, add examples or counter-examples.
  • Paraphrasing Modes:
    • Multiple styles (e.g., standard, fluency, formal) and multilingual capabilities.
  • Summarizer Tool:
    • Condenses long texts into key sentences or paragraphs.
  • Translation Feature:
    • Supports over 45 languages, including French, German, and Spanish.
  • Plagiarism Checker:
    • Scans documents for originality and assists with citations.
  • AI Review:
    • Offers suggestions to improve writing style and tone.
  • Suggest Text Feature:
    • Predicts the next sentence based on the current content.
  • Dictate and Listen Feature:
    • Converts speech to text and text to speech for increased productivity.

Interactive Q&A Session

• Poll Conducted:
  • Asked attendees what they hoped to gain from the webinar.
  • Majority wanted to learn how to enhance their writing process.
• Common Questions Addressed:
  • Differences Between QuillBot and Other Tools:
    • Multilingual paraphrasing accuracy.
    • Integrated features like summarizer and translator.
  • Subscription Options and Discounts:
    • Availability of monthly, semi-annual, and annual subscriptions.
    • Special discounts for students and educational institutions.
  • Language and Accent Adjustments:
    • Ability to choose between American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.
  • Upcoming Webinars:
    • Plans for future sessions covering various topics based on user feedback.
  • Templates and Citation Support:
    • Access to multiple templates and citation formats (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
  • Device Accessibility:
    • QuillBot is accessible across different devices.
• Feedback Encouraged:
  • Participants were invited to share topics they would like covered in future webinars.
  • Emphasized the importance of user feedback in improving QuillBot.

Special Surprise for Attendees

• Exclusive Offer:
  • A 50% discount on the annual premium subscription.
  • Valid for 24 hours post-webinar.
  • Coupon code provided during the session.
• How to Avail:
  • Instructions to contact support if assistance is needed with the coupon code.
  • Encouraged to reach out via email or the QuillBot website for any queries.

Conclusion

• Gratitude Expressed:
  • Thanked attendees for their participation and engagement.
  • Expressed excitement about the overwhelming response.
• Encouragement to Connect:
  • Invited attendees to follow QuillBot on social media for updates.
  • Encouraged sharing feedback and suggestions for future webinars.
• Final Remarks:
  • Wished everyone a great and exciting journey ahead.
  • Anticipated how QuillBot's tools can empower users to achieve writing excellence.

Note: This summary captures key points from a webinar introducing QuillBot Flow, an AI-powered writing platform designed to enhance and streamline the writing process by integrating multiple tools into one comprehensive solution.

Navigating the AI Landscape: How Libraries Can Adapt

Libraries and AI—Challenges and Responses

Introduction

• Host: Don from the Gigabit Libraries Network.
• Speakers:
  • Andrew Cox: Member of the AI Special Interest Group at IFLA; Information School in Sheffield.
  • Richard Whitt: President of GLIA Foundation.
• Series Context: Part of the "Libraries in Response" series on technology issues affecting libraries.

Context and Background

• Libraries are facing multiple crises: COVID-19, climate change, political unrest, and AI.
• AI is seen as both an opportunity and a challenge for libraries.
• The importance of libraries as trusted institutions in navigating technological changes.

Challenges of AI for Libraries

• Existential Concerns: AI's potential impact on humanity and societal structures.
• Trust Issues: Ensuring AI agents act in the best interest of users, avoiding "double agents."
• Digital Divide: AI might exacerbate inequalities between connected and unconnected communities.
• Regulatory Landscape:
  • Federal and state policies are being developed to address AI.
  • Challenges in effectively regulating complex AI technologies.

Role of Libraries in the Age of AI

• Leveraging the high trust in libraries to guide communities through AI challenges.
• Promoting AI literacy and responsible AI use among patrons.
• Developing AI capabilities, including data stewardship and ethical practices.
• Potential partnerships with technology companies for AI development.

Presentations

Richard Whitt

• Referenced Cerf's work on digital libraries and intelligent agents (knowbots).
• Discussed the rise of AI bots and personal digital assistants.
• Introduced the concept of "double agents" in AI that may not serve users' best interests.
• Highlighted potential roles for libraries:
  • Providing infrastructure and connectivity.
  • Serving as repositories of trustworthy digital knowledge.
  • Acting as fiduciaries with obligations to patrons.
  • Developing AI agents aligned with library values.
  • Educating patrons on AI and digital citizenship.

Andrew Cox

• Introduced the work of the IFLA AI Special Interest Group.
• Presented a strategic framework for libraries responding to AI challenges.
• Discussed the AI capability model:
  • Material Resources: Data and infrastructure needs.
  • Human Resources: Technical and business skills required.
  • Intangible Resources: Leadership, coordination, and adaptability.
• Suggested key actions for libraries:
  • Implement responsible and explainable AI solutions.
  • Enhance data stewardship and management skills.
  • Promote AI literacy and critical understanding among patrons.
• Addressed challenges like resource limitations and the need for collaboration and vision.

Discussion and Audience Participation

• Practical Steps for Libraries:
  • Start small with AI projects relevant to existing services.
  • Define a clear vision for AI integration.
  • Collaborate with other libraries and institutions.
• Partnerships with Tech Companies:
  • Potential benefits and risks of collaborating with technology firms.
  • Need for libraries to advocate for ethical AI practices.
• Comments from Participants:
  • Diane: Shared a tool developed by her library using AI to assist patrons; emphasized the importance of prompt engineering.
  • Stephen Abram: Highlighted the need for collaborative efforts, use cases, and establishing guardrails for AI implementation.
  • Fiona: Mentioned Toronto Public Library's leadership in using AI.

Conclusion

• Recognized that AI presents both significant challenges and opportunities for libraries.
• Emphasized the unique position of libraries to leverage trust and promote ethical AI use.
• Committed to ongoing discussions and exploring AI's impact on libraries in future sessions.
• Encouraged proactive engagement with AI, focusing on community needs and responsible practices.

Note: This outline summarizes a presentation on how libraries can respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, featuring insights from industry experts and audience participation.