University Writing Center

Artificial Intelligence at the University Writing Center

Best Practices for AI at the UWC

At the UWC, we believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to Generative AI (GenAI) like ChatGPT, can help with writing projects at various stages. It’s our job to consider how GenAI programs can assist with content creation throughout the writing process while guiding clients to see advantages, disadvantages, and biases. We aim to establish an environment that embraces AI as a tool while emphasizing the value of independent thinking and critical AI literacy. Our first suggestion is not that students use AI. Instead, we use AI to supplement appointments and encourage clients to work without AI first.

Our view is that AI tools will continue developing, and the UWC embraces technological advancements while assisting writers’ personal and professional growth. In line with writing studies scholarship on technologies and writing, our stance is that AI is political, material, and rhetorical. Therefore, we act as a place for students to question their AI usage and develop an understanding of such infrastructures.

If permitted, we will guide clients as best we can to use AI in a productive way that accounts for and teaches them how to avoid plagiarism, modeling ways for students to use AI while still engaging in assignments and activities that require them to apply their critical thinking, knowledge, and skills to the tasks at hand.

When it comes to AI usage, we adopt a collaborative approach. We enter all appointments with the assumption that students are presenting work they have personally produced and do not accuse them of using AI. However, we do inquire about the use of AI. We aim to open a dialogue between the consultant and client, fostering a respectful and honest discussion about appropriate and unacceptable AI usage. The conversations around AI usage might focus on:

  • Brainstorming. Use AI to develop topic ideas, find examples, and create outlines. When brainstorming, we explain to clients that the generated materials are for their notes only and that they must write and revise their projects.
  • Fact-checking. Cross-referencing sources, quotes, and any statement of fact produced by an AI tool like ChatGPT since they’re not always accurate.
  • Citing. Helping clients generate citations for material created using AI.

We encourage faculty interested in allowing AI writing tools to reach out to the UWC. We also suggest that faculty utilize the report generated by WIU’s AI Task Force to develop a transparent syllabus policy about whether AI is permitted. If students are unsure if using AI is permitted, we will encourage them to contact their instructor.

We look forward to continued conversations on how GenAI tools will impact the writing process.