🤖 AI Usage Policy

🤖 AI Usage Policy#

🔍 Purpose of the Policy#

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools - such as large language models, code generators, writing assistants, and virtual tutors - are increasingly available to students and engineers. When used appropriately, these tools can support learning. When misused, however, they can interfere with skill development, obscure student understanding, and compromise academic integrity.

This policy defines when and how AI tools may be used in this course, with clear boundaries designed to ensure that all submitted work accurately reflects your own understanding, reasoning, and skills as a student in electrical and computer engineering.

GenAI Usage Levels#

USAFA defines seven levels of Generative AI (GenAI) use. Unless otherwise stated, this course generally aligns with Level 2, which permits limited use of GenAI for brainstorming or idea generation.

This level designation is a high-level reference only. The specific Permitted Uses of AI Tools and Prohibited Uses of AI Tools for this course-along with concrete electrical and computer engineering examples-are defined in detail in the sections below. These detailed rules take precedence over the general level description.

Students are responsible for following the explicit permissions, restrctions, and examples listed later in this policy, regardless of how a particular GenAI tool might be categorized under the USAFA usage levels.

Level	Descriptor	What this looks like in practice
Level 0	No use of GenAI	Cadets will create their own, original work without the use of GenAI in any manner.
Level 1	Organizational / Explanatory use of GenAI	Cadets will create their own, original work without the use of GenAI for submitted assignments; however, the use of GenAI for personal efficiency (i.e., summarizing notes/readings, clarifying content) is acceptable. If later used to support an assignment, this use should be acknowledged in documentation statements.
Level 2	Use of GenAI for brainstorming or idea generation	Cadets may consult GenAI as a tool for initial brainstorming or idea generation, but are expected to create their own, original work without the use of GenAI. Use of GenAI in this manner should be acknowledged as part of documentation statements.
Level 3	Use of GenAI as a feedback tool on student-generated work	Cadets create their own work independently, then may use GenAI as a tool to get feedback about their draft, such as suggestions for improvement, clarification, alignment with the assignment instructions, or editing tips. Cadets are expected to make their own revisions based on this feedback; the submitted work should not include GenAI-generated text. This use of GenAI should be clearly communicated in their documentation statements.
Level 4	Use of GenAI to co-create and/or revise work	Cadets may use GenAI to develop drafts, outlines, or provide suggested revisions to their drafts, but they must critically evaluate, revise, and take ownership of the content. Submitted work should reflect the cadet’s understanding, not unedited AI output. This use of GenAI must be clearly documented, specifying how GenAI contributed and what the cadet did to revise or evaluate that content.
Level 5	Unrestricted, attributed use of GenAI	Cadets may submit work that includes unedited or heavily AI-generated content. The emphasis is on transparency, not authorship. The extent and nature of GenAI use must be clearly disclosed with proper attribution in a documentation statement.
Level 6	Unrestricted, unattributed use of GenAI	Cadets may use GenAI freely without attribution unless otherwise specified. Note: While it is possible to use GenAI in an unrestricted manner without attribution, any who apply this level in their course should carefully consider ethical and legal implications.

✅ Permitted Uses of AI Tools (with Restrictions)#

Students may use AI tools only as learning aids, not as substitutes for thinking, problem-solving, coding, or writing.

Understanding concepts and theory: You may use AI to clarify or explain concepts from lectures, textbooks, or assignments (e.g., “Explain the Nyquist sampling theorem.” or “What is the physical meaning of poles and zeros?”)
Studying terminology: You may use AI to look up technical terms, definitions, or basic principles (e.g., “What is the Bayes’ theorem?”).
Generating practice material: You may ask AI to generate practice problems or conceptaul quizzes for self-study (not for submission).
Learning by example: You may ask for high-level, illustrative examples that help you understand topics such as circuit analysis, signal processing, digital logic, or embedded systems—provided these examples are not used directly in assignments.
Understanding compile errors and syntax errors: You may use AI to interpret compiler messages, syntax errors, or warnings in languages such as Assemblym C/C++, Python, MATLAB, or VHDL (e.g., “What does this compiler error message mean?”). AI may explain what the error indicates, but you must resolve the issue yourself using appropriate tools.
Grammar and spelling corrections only: You may use basic grammar and spell-checking tools (e.g., Grammarly for grammar only) to correct spelling and grammatical errors.

❌ Prohibited Uses of AI Tools#

The following uses of AI are not allowed in this course:

Checking solutions with AI after completing work: You may not input completed homework, lab solutions, project results, code, or exam answers into AI tools to verify correctness.

Why this is prohibited: Checking answers with AI allows errors to be corrected without understanding, masks misconceptions, and prevents instructors from accurately assessing your learning. In engineering, validation and reasoning are part of the skill - not just the final answer.
Debugging code with AI: You may not use AI tools to debug your code, identify logic errors, or suggest fixes (e.g., “Here is my code-why doesn’t it work?”, “Fix this program.”, or “What is wrong with my state machine or controller logic?”).

You are expected to use
- IDE debuggers
- Break points and watch variables
- Simulators
- Logic analyzers, waveform viewers, or test benches
Debugging is a core engineering skill and must be practiced directly.
AI-generated or AI-assisted coding: You may not submit code, scripts, HDL, or configuration files that are generated, suggested, or auto-completed by AI. This includes (but is not limited to) GitHub Copilot, AI-powered VS Code extensions, or similar tools

Installing or using guided AI coding tools is strictly prohibited.
AI Editing of Writing or Technical Content: You may not use AI tools to rewrite, rephrase, restructure, or improve the technical content of your writing. This includes lab reports, homework explanations, design discussions, and project documentation.

Why this is prohibited: Technical writing is part of demonstrating engineering understanding. AI-edited writing prevents instructors from accurately assessing your comprehension and reasoning. Only grammar and spelling corrections are permitted.

🎓 Rationale Behind the Policy#

Integrity is essential: Submitting work you didn’t produce yourself-even if assisted by an AI-is a form of academic dishonesty, similar to plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration.
You’re here to learn: Learning requires struggle. Engineering courses are designed to build your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. AI shortcuts can prevent you from developing the abilities you’ll need as a professional.
Assessment must reflect understanding: Instructors must be able to distinguish what you know from what a tool produced.
AI is fallible: AI systems can generate incorrect, misleading, or poorly reasoned outputs, especially in technical domains.

⚖️ Consequences for Violating This Policy#

If you misuse AI tools in this course, you may face consequences including:

Receiving a zero on the assignment or project
Being reported for academic misconduct
Further disciplinary actions under USAFA academic integrity policy

💬 If You’re Unsure - Ask First#

If you are not sure whether a particular use of AI is permitted, ask the instructor before using it.

Do not assume a tool or use case is allowed.
“I didn’t know” is not an acceptable justification after the fact.
When in doubt, ask first.

✅ How to Use AI Tools Responsibly#

Use AI as a support, not a shortcut:

Treat it like a tutor, not a teammate.
Ask it to help you understand the “why” or “how”-not to do the work for you.
Verify everything it tells you against your notes, textbook, or instructor guidance.
Keep notes on how you use AI while studying, in case you need to explain your process.

🧠 Final Words#

AI will be part of your future as an engineer. Learning to use it ethically, responsibly, and appropratly start here. In this course, it means AI may support your understanding - but thie thinking, coding, debugging, and writing must be yours.

Let’s use technology wisely - with integrity, curiosity, and responsibility.