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Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Students

Provides a general overview of uses, tools, and issues with GenAI (generative artificial intelligence).

Got a question about AI?

If you have a question for the Library about AI, and you are unable to find the answer within this guide, please email asklibrary@tstc.edu. We will do our best to answer your question and / or update this guide with further information.

Is it okay to use AI for my assignments?

That depends on your instructor, the course, and how you're using AI.

  • Yes, sometimes.  If you're using AI to help brainstorm, check grammar, or ask clarifying questions--and your instructor allows it!
  • No, if you're using AI to write your whole assignment, complete a quiz, or avoid doing the work yourself.

You should never submit work that has been wholly generated by AI in place of your own original work (unless your instructor has specifically requested you do so, although this would be extremely rare). This is considered cheating and will be treated in the same way by TSTC as if you had contracted a third party to complete your coursework for you. 

Visit our AI for Students Guide to find Departmental AI policies that have been disclosed to Library Services.


What counts as cheating with AI?

Using AI becomes cheating when you:

  • Submit AI-generated work as your own
  • Use it during a remote or take-home test / assignment without permission
  • Try to "beat" plagiarism detection tools using AI
  • Fail to mention that you used AI (when required to)

These actions violate academic integrity and can lead to serious consequences.

Visit our Responsible & ethical use of AI page for more information.


Can instructors tell if I used AI?

Sometimes--yes.  Instructors may use AI-detection tools, or they may notice incosistencies in writing style, tone, or accuracy.  Even when dectection tools aren't used, many instructors can spot the difference between your authentic voice and a generated AI response. 


How do I know what data or information was used to train AI tools?

The short answer is--you usually don't.

Most AI tools like ChatGPT were trained on large, mixed datasets from books, websites, and online forums.  The training data isn't always made public, and it often doesn't include up-to-date or peer-reviewed academic sources. Most academic quality research is behind paywalls and cannot be included into the datasets due to copyright law.

This means AI tools may give outdated, biased, or incorrect information--especially in scientific, legal, or technical fields. 

What is bias and why is it important to understand when using AI?


Bias means the AI's responses may favor certain ideas or reflect social, cultural, or political assumptions from the data it was trained on.  AI is not neutral--it reflects the internet, and the internet isn't always fair or accurate.  

Why this matters: If you're researching a sensitive topic, or using AI to explain historical, cultural, or political issues, the results might leave out key perspectives--or reinforce harmful beliefs or viewpoints.

This is why it is so important that you learn to think critically and critically evaluate what you read, questioning  and analysing opinions and data.

What are "AI hallucinations"?


"Hallucinations" happen when an AI tool makes up something that sounds real--but isn't.  For example:

  • Quoting fake studies
  • Citing articles that don't exist
  • Giving confident answers that are just plain wrong.

Always double-check AI-generated facts, citations, and sources.  When possible, use library databases to confirm.  


How can I avoid plagiarizing when using AI tools in an academic setting?

To stay on the safe side:

  • Don't submit AI-generated writing as your own unless your instructor explicitly allows it.
  • Use AI as a starting point, not the final product. Use it to check your wording or explain complicated topics.  Do not use it as a means to get out of doing work.
  • Cite the tool if you include AI-generated text, ideas, or images in your assignment.
  • Treat AI like any source--quote, paragraphs, and reference properly.

We explain how to do this on the Citing AI tools page. 


How do I cite AI tools?

Please see the page How to cite AI tools for guidance on how to cite the output of an AI tool, as well as how to formally acknowledge the use of AI tools in the creation of your coursework.


Do I have to pay to use AI tools?

The majority of AI tool suppliers offer both a free and a paid version of their software, creating inequity in access; if you don't have a subscription, you can be missing out on some key capabilities. TSTC Library Services does not endorse paying for any AI tool.


Given the capabilities of AI tools, why do I still need to write essays?

Great question.  Even if AI can help generate content, writing is still a skill employers care deeply about--especially in technical fields.

Here's why:

  • Writing teaches you to think clearly and organize complex ideas.
  • Strong reading and writing skills are essential for communicating with teams, clients, and stakeholders.
  • Employers expect graduates to have independent critical thinking, not just the ability to copy, summarize, or regurgitate the ideas of others.
  • Essays help develop judgement, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving--skills AI can't replace.

In other words, writing isn't just about turning in a paper--its's about sharpening the skills you'll use every day in your future career.



You're not alone. If you're ever unsure:

  1. Check your course syllabus for AI guidelines.
  2. Ask your instructor before you start.
  3. Refer to the department's policies.

When in doubt, ask. It's always better to clarify than to guess.

Self-Check: Are you using AI responsibly?