As a university, we have a responsibility to help students develop the skills and judgement needed to use AI effectively and confidently throughout their studies and future careers.
AI is transforming the way people learn, work and create. Rather than viewing AI solely as a challenge to manage, the university is committed to helping students and staff use these technologies critically and responsibly.
By embedding AI literacy into learning and assessment, we can better prepare graduates for the opportunities and expectations they will encounter beyond university.
What this means for staff
To support this goal, all teaching staff must work from our new Responsible use of generative AI in teaching and learning guidance from the start of the 2026/27 academic year.
The new approach has already been shared with relevant colleagues and forms part of our existing AI guidance. This article serves as a reminder of the expectations for assessment design and supporting students to use AI responsibly.
Supporting students to use AI responsibly
Our updated AI guidance recognises that AI is now part of everyday academic and professional life and aims to help students understand when, how and why AI can be used appropriately.
Rather than focusing solely on detecting AI use, the approach encourages responsible, transparent and ethical use, helping students develop the judgement and integrity needed in both higher education and the workplace.
Students remain responsible for everything they submit, including the accuracy of information, quality of evidence and originality of their work. AI must not be used to fabricate sources, data, quotations or evidence, or to generate work that is then presented as entirely their own.
New assessment tier system
As part of the guidance, every assessment brief must clearly state its AI category and explain what students may and may not use AI for.
Where AI has contributed to an assessment, students are expected to include an AI Reflection (AIR) explaining how AI was used, how outputs were reviewed or revised and what their own contribution was.
Staff are responsible for determining the most appropriate tier for each assessment.
The three tiers are:
Tier 1: Independent of AI (Restricted Use)
AI use is restricted because the assessment is designed to demonstrate individual knowledge, practical skills, professional judgement or performance. Approved accessibility tools may still be used where appropriate.
Tier 2: Supported by AI (Collaborative Assistance)
Students may use AI to support activities such as planning, clarification, feedback and refinement. However, responsibility for the argument, analysis, interpretation and final work remains with the student. This is expected to be the default approach for most assessments.
Tier 3: Augmented with AI (Generative Workflow)
AI is intentionally incorporated into the assessment. Students may use generative AI tools as part of the task and are assessed on how critically and responsibly they use, evaluate and explain AI-supported outputs.
Further information about each of the tiers and the AIR process is available in the updated guidance.
Assessment Misconduct Policy
The Assessment Misconduct Policy is not affected by this new guidance. Students are still expected to appropriately declare their AI use. They must do this through the reflective statement element of their assignment, rather than using the AI Declaration form as was previously required.
Accessing the guidance
The full guidance, supporting resources and additional information are available on the AI guidance webpage and through the Learning and Teaching Resource Centre (LTRC) on Moodle.
The LTRC resource includes practical guidance, examples and supporting materials that colleagues can either work through as a structured course or dip into as needed when designing and reviewing assessments for the new academic year.
What we’re sharing with students
As part of upcoming Big Welcome communications, students are being advised that the new approach to AI in assessments is designed to help them develop the skills needed to use AI confidently and responsibly, both during their studies and in their future careers.
They can expect assessment briefs to clearly explain the level of AI use permitted and the role AI can play in their work, helping to provide greater clarity and consistency across the university.
The Academic and Digital Skills team have created expanded guidance for students outlining how to use AI in assessments responsibly, which students can access on Moodle. The Technology Enhanced Learning team will also deliver training to academic staff on this new guidance for students, which will be available to book as part of the TEL team’s usual CPD programme.
Any questions?
If you have questions about how to implement the updated guidance, please contact the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team at TEL@greenwich.ac.uk or the Associate Deans for Student Success.
Further information about the use of AI at Greenwich can be found on the AI guidance webpage.
