Wayne State engages in new opportunities with artificial intelligence

In higher education institutions across the country, artificial intelligence tools are reshaping how students learn, study, and complete assignments. But with new technology and new opportunities also come questions.

As a top-tier research university, Wayne State University is committed to exploring, advancing and leveraging AI. This month, the Division of Academic Affairs announced the 2025 Year of Focus theme: "AI in Action." Through discussions, events, workshops and performances, the WSU campus community will explore innovation through AI and engage with the opportunities and questions AI raises.

"AI is rapidly reshaping our world, and as an R-1 Carnegie classified research university, Wayne State is committed to exploring new opportunities made possible through artificial intelligence," said Dr. Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "AI also impacts the ways in which we learn, educate, foster student success, and build communities. We invite everyone in the Wayne State community to be a part of this exploration."

Additionally, the Division of Research & Innovation announced four Grand Challenges for WSU's faculty and students to explore. One of the themes for the Grand Challenges is centered around AI and poses the question: "How can we leverage responsible human-AI collaborations to allow us to drive discovery, innovation and economic growth?" These Grand Challenges invite the Wayne State community to solve society's most urgent challenges through pioneering research, cross-disciplinary collaboration and purpose-driven education.

As the use of artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the classroom, Wayne State's shared governance leaders have worked to provide guidance on the appropriate use of AI for students. Earlier this year, the Board of Governors approved an amendment to the Student Code of Conduct, which originated in the Academic Senate's ad hoc AI subcommittee. This group - which is made up of representatives from the Senate's Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, and Curriculum and Instruction standing committees - worked with those standing committees and their student representatives before coming to the Policy Committee and then to the plenary session. This amendment now sets clear boundaries on when AI is welcome in the classroom and when its use crosses into academic dishonesty.

"It's important that students clearly understand the boundaries of academic integrity, especially as AI use becomes more common," said Dr. Linda Beale, distinguished service professor of Law and president of the Academic Senate.

The amendment does not prohibit the use of AI. Instead, it requires students to follow their instructors' guidance on when - and how - AI may be used in connection with a particular course. To support this effort, the Senate AI subcommittee also developed syllabus language and templates faculty can utilize, giving students clear expectations from the start. Beale explained that the policy emphasizes that AI cannot be used to cheat or plagiarize.

"This is about making expectations clear," she said. "Faculty can choose how AI fits into their teaching, and students need to understand that using AI in ways that violate those expectations is misconduct."

While some software tools claim to identify AI-written text, Beale pointed out that detecting AI misuse remains a challenge. Instead, faculty must rely on their knowledge of course content and student work. Consequences for students caught misusing AI vary depending on the situation and the instructor's syllabus policy. Options range from lowering a grade to initiating a formal misconduct process under the Student Code of Conduct.

The rule strengthens the importance of respecting course-specific requirements and integrating student responsibility into the policy. The purpose of the amendment is to help students navigate evolving technologies while maintaining academic standards.

For more information on AI resources, visit AI at Wayne State - Computing & Information Technology.

By: Darlene A. White