Academic Affairs Policy on AI
The mission of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design is to prepare artists, designers and educators from diverse backgrounds to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. The mission is shaped by MassArt’s values to:
Pursue a just, compassionate, and equitable learning environment
Cultivate rigorous creative practices by observing, questioning, making and remaking
Honor courage, honesty, mutual respect, and self-expression
Believe in the power of art and design to transform our world
MassArt recognizes the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and the art and design fields. Al systems are able to generate images, language, and code through rapid processing of large amounts of available data; to learn from the patterns and features encountered, evolving through self-learning and the incorporation of additional data. It is important to note that there are multiple AI models. For example, Predictive AI uses machine learning to make predictions about future outcomes based on historical data. Meanwhile, Generative AI uses algorithms that can automatically create new content such as text, images, code, voice, and video based on what has been learned from existing data. All uses of AI generate outcomes that have tremendous societal impact, and the ability to collaborate with Al systems will be an expectation in the coming job market. This is also an area that is rapidly changing and developing in real time. While each academic program may need to develop specific guidelines for using AI in their curriculum and pedagogy, each will be informed by a set of overarching guiding principles:
Unless specifically approved by the instructor in writing, Al system results should not be included in the final outputs and/or deliverables. In addition, AI cannot be used in ways that violate the university’s academic policy regarding [original] creative work, critical writing, research, or in ways that fail to meet the learning goals specified by the instructor.
In the case where instructors approve the use of AI in class work, students must cite their use of AI systems and document the relevant prompts utilized in their process and research and in the final assignment outcomes. The documentation should be in an official style, such as APA format, or whatever style is approved by the instructor.
If the names of artists/designers, companies, brands or art movements are used as search terms, directives, or guides within the AI prompts, they must be cited properly to maintain the artistic integrity of those involved. Departments and/or instructors have the discretion to limit the use of artists/designers, companies, brands or art movements as search terms. Students that use AI, in addition to citing prompts, should disclose how and where they used that information.
Equity in access for any Al systems allowed in a course must be assured by the instructor, in conjunction with department guidelines. The platforms utilized by students to meet course requirements must offer free access or offered as part of a MassArt provided subscription.
MassArt students are expected to abide by the plagiarism policy outlined in the Academic Catalog in the creation of all work, as well as all policies in the MassArt Student Handbook and the college. They are also expected to abide by all academic integrity guidelines stated by the college, as well their specific program and instructors, related to Al usage. Departments and instructors within MassArt may have specific guidelines regarding the use of AI, which should be included in the course syllabus. If an instructor’s guidelines on the use of AI in a class deviate from the college-wide and/or departmental AI Policies, that should be clearly stated in the course syllabus and it should be noted that those guidelines only apply to that specific course and cannot be applied to anything outside of that immediate learning environment.
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