AI-based tools policies

AI guidelines for students at LUT Universities

This guideline concerns generative AI applications.

Students at LUT Universities have access to Microsoft Copilot AI application. It’s recommended to use Microsoft Copilot AI application using university’s credentials. Logging in ensures that any information is not used for training language models, and the data is protected and not shared with third parties. If a student uses another AI application, the student is responsible for it’s use, for example data security.

The use of AI applications to support learning is to be encouraged, as AI is one of today's work-life skills. The use of AI applications must be responsible and ethical.

Teachers can acquire the student to use Copilot in course assignments. Teachers can also prohibit the use of AI in course assignments. Teachers and students can use the LUT Universities' email address to create credentials for AI applications. It is not allowed to use the same passwords as when logging into the LUT Universities' systems except when using Microsoft Copilot.

AI applications can enhance learning and studying in many ways

AI applications can serve as a helpful and effective tutor in learning. Students should note that AI applications may only be used as support and assistance for studying, in accordance with the teacher’s instructions. The achievement of learning objectives must not be compromised by the use of AI. The student’s own contribution and the use of AI must be clearly demonstrable.

Examples of how AI applications can be used

AI applications as learning tutors

Ask the AI to teach you the subject you are studying. Instruct the AI to ask you questions. Prohibit it from giving you the correct answers. State your goal, which is to learn the topic at hand.
Ask the AI to create a study schedule and a step-by-step work plan for you, for example, when dealing with a major assignment with multiple components.
Assign a role and a task to the AI if you wish to, for example, practice communicating in a foreign language, engaging in workplace discussions, or practice scientific argumentation.
Ask the AI for feedback on your own text: how you could further improve it. Prohibit the AI from rewriting the text for you.
Ask the AI for summaries or clarifications of research, theories, or concepts.
Getting started can sometimes be difficult. With the help of AI, you can get started more easily. Tell the AI that you need help with the beginning. Prohibit it from completing the entire task.
In all situations, remember to verify the accuracy of the information and follow the teacher’s instructions. The use of AI can be prohibited in the assignment.

Student responsibility

As a student in higher education, you are working toward a degree you have selected yourself, focusing on becoming a professional in a specific discipline. Before using AI applications, take a moment to consider whether it supports the achievement of your learning objectives and contributes to your future expertise in your field.
The entire work, or any complete sections of it, must not be done using an AI application.
The student must ensure that AI is used in accordance with the given instructions.
The teacher provides guidance on the use of AI for each course or assignment. The instructions may vary between courses, assignments, and even different parts of an assignment. The instructions must be read carefully before starting any tasks. The student is expected to use AI responsibly and follow the guidelines provided to ensure proper use.
The student must document the use of AI according to the teacher’s instructions: where and how it was used, which application was used, and how AI influenced the student’s work.
The student must always be able to demonstrate the impact of AI on the final output.
AI tools must not be used for dishonest purposes.
- Using AI against the teacher’s instructions or concealing its use may be considered academic misconduct. The teacher may also prohibit the use of AI in an assignment, in which case its use will be regarded as misconduct.
The student should request more detailed instructions and guidance on the use of AI when necessary.

Accuracy of data

The student must not present text, images, code or other output generated by AI tools as their own.
The student must always review the AI output carefully before using it and is responsible for its accuracy and ethical soundness. AI does not take ethical considerations into account.
AI applications may uncritically produce incorrect, offensive, discriminatory, or biased information. Always verify information from reliable sources.
Material generated by AI applications can be difficult to distinguish from human-produced content.
AI-generated material cannot be used as a scientific source.
The student is always responsible for the assignments submitted and the work completed to achieve the learning objectives.
AI should only be used for purposes where you can ensure the accuracy of the information.
The rules of academic writing must be followed. References and sources must be cited correctly.
Students should respect copyright and note that text or content generated by AI applications may be based on copyrighted material.
Only openly available material or material whose copyright permits uploading may be uploaded to AI applications.

Data security

The use of AI applications must not compromise data protection, information security, or privacy. For example, do not enter health data or confidential information into AI applications.
Content produced by other students may not be entered into AI applications without permission. Sensitive information (such as personal data) should not be entered into AI applications.

Theses and maturity tests for LAB students (updated October 2025)

The student is responsible for their own thesis and for ethical and data
protection issues related to it. The responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) is
the obligation of the student, and they must disclose if and how AI has been
used in the thesis report or the maturity test.
The student must discuss the possibility of using AI with their supervisor and any
project partners. They must also be able to explain their use of AI throughout the
process if asked.
The student is responsible for ensuring that AI applications are not used to
process confidential or sensitive information, or any material that is restricted or
protected by copyright. Sensitive information includes, for example, data
collected directly from individuals, personal data, health information, or any
other personally identifiable information. Participants must be informed of the
use of AI in accordance with data protection legislation through a data protection
statement.
The student may not present text generated by AI applications as their own.
AI applications or the content they generate cannot be used as scientific
sources. AI does not consider ethical perspectives and is not a reliable source in
academic works.
All content produced by AI must be critically evaluated, including any sources it
suggests. AI may generate text that appears to include sources, but these
references may be fabricated or inaccurate, meaning the text cannot be founded
on these sources. The ethical standards of AI applications may also differ
significantly from those of the real world. AI may even "invent" sources that look
like scientific articles but do not actually exist.
AI may be used as an example: to create an overview, structure ideas,
brainstorm, or for language editing and proofreading. Such use is not cited as a
source but must be described in the thesis report. Note: Language editing does
not mean direct translation of a text into another language.
AI applications are not considered sources and should not be listed in the
reference list. Their use should be noted in the body of the text (examples
described above). Academic writing standards must be followed, and citations
and reference lists must be properly formatted. Only real sources that have been
referred to and cited in the text are to be included in the list of references.
The thesis must always include a statement regarding the author's responsibilities and any use of AI, such as:

Example 1:

The author of this thesis, John Doe, is responsible for the accuracy of the entire contents of the thesis and has not used AI in writing it.

The authenticity of this thesis has been checked with the Turnitin similarity checking software.

Example 2:

The author of this thesis, John Doe, is responsible for the accuracy of the entire contents of the thesis, including content generated with AI. AI was used in this work during background research and later for language editing.

Background research made use of Copilot (Microsoft Copilot: Your everyday AI companion).

The following prompts were entered on August 28, 2025:
-How does a heat pump work?

The generative AI output was adapted and edited for the final answer. Original output has been saved and is available upon request.

DeepL (DeepL Translate: The world’s most accurate translator) was used for language checking to ensure linguistic correctness. The use was occasional throughout the thesis.

The authenticity of this thesis has been checked with the Turnitin similarity checking software.

Published 10th of October 2025

Video: LUT Universities guidelines for students on the use of AI applications information session 19.10.2023

Content reviewed and confirmed to be up-to-date 10/2025.