Guidance on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) by CMB Students
This guidance applies to the preliminary exam and thesis defense. Its purpose is to preserve intellectual ownership and scientific integrity, ensure that Ph.D. training reflects independent scholarly development, and define clear boundaries for acceptable AI use.
The guiding principle is that generative AI may be used as a tool for communication, but not as a substitute for scientific thinking. All intellectual contributions must originate from the student. Accordingly, students may only use AI in ways that do not replace their ability to independently explain, justify, and extend all aspects of their work.
- AI tools may be used for limited editorial and organizational support, such as grammar and language editing, clarity and readability improvement, and text restructuring for coherence and flow. These uses are analogous to traditional editorial assistance. Students are encouraged to retain earlier drafts of their work to document the development of the underlying scientific ideas and written content.
- Students may not use AI tools to generate substantive scientific content that they cannot independently produce and defend, including scientific ideas, hypotheses, experimental design, data analysis or interpretation, conclusions, and references.
- Students must disclose any use of AI in the preparation of materials. This disclosure should clearly describe which AI tools were used and how they were used to allow evaluation of whether that use is consistent with these guidelines. Students should also be prepared to discuss their use of AI tools with their thesis committee.
- Students should ensure that any use of AI is consistent with requirements of funding agencies and journals because preliminary exam and thesis materials may later be incorporated into grant applications and publications.
- Students should consult with their PI before uploading unpublished data, manuscripts, grant proposals, or other confidential research materials into AI tools. UW-Madison has vetted and secured contracts for several generative AI services (https://it.wisc.edu/generative-ai-services-uw-madison/).
- The student is fully responsible for the content and integrity of their work and must be able to explain, justify, and extend all aspects of their work independently, without reliance on AI tools.
- The student’s thesis committee is responsible for evaluating whether the student meets these standards, including their ability to independently explain, justify, and extend all aspects of their work. Such evaluation may not rely on AI tools.
These guidelines reflect the standards for independent scholarly work in a Ph.D. program and are consistent with UW-Madison policies on academic integrity and responsible use of emerging technologies (https://it.wisc.edu/generative-ai-services-uw-madison/generative-ai-uw-madison-use-policies/).
Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in required revision and resubmission of work and may lead to dismissal from the program. Questions regarding appropriate AI use should be directed to the CMB Program Director.