Table of Contents
- 1. Lesson Overview
- 2. Learning Outcomes
- 3. Before You Begin
- 4. Retrieval Practice
- 5. Opening Scenario
- 6. Core Content
- 6.1 Plagiarism vs. Copyright Infringement
- 6.2 Responsible Paraphrasing
- 6.3 Patchwriting
- 6.4 Source Laundering
- 6.5 Style Imitation
- 6.6 Synthetic Quotations and Media
- 6.7 Assistance vs. Substitution
- 6.8 Applying Institutional Policies
- 7. CREATE Walkthrough (T & E)
- 8. Process Walkthrough
- 9. Self-Check Quiz
- 10. Practice Exercises
- 11. Homework Problems
- 12. Mini-Project
- 13. Summary & Key Takeaways
- 14. Next Steps
1. Lesson Overview
This lesson focuses on the ethical and academic-integrity dimensions of using generative AI. You will learn to distinguish plagiarism from copyright infringement, evaluate the quality of AI-assisted paraphrasing, recognise problematic practices like patchwriting and source laundering, and understand the risks of style imitation and synthetic media. Crucially, you will examine when AI assistance is acceptable and when it becomes inappropriate substitution that undermines learning and integrity.
The lesson emphasises that academic integrity is context-dependent: you must apply your institution’s, instructor’s, and discipline-specific requirements. We will also discuss how to preserve independent learning and authorship while using AI responsibly.
This is the third lesson in Unit 9, following source rights (9.1) and authorship (9.2), and it prepares you for Lesson 9.4 (CREATE and disclosure) and Assignment 3.
2. Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
- Distinguish plagiarism from copyright infringement.
- Define responsible paraphrasing, patchwriting, and source laundering.
- Evaluate AI-assisted paraphrasing for genuine understanding and independent expression.
- Identify risks of imitating a living creator’s distinctive style.
- Recognise risks of synthetic quotations, fabricated endorsements, and misleading provenance.
- Distinguish permitted AI assistance from prohibited or inappropriate substitution.
- Apply applicable course, institutional, disciplinary, and professional integrity requirements.
- Explain why disclosure does not make prohibited AI use acceptable.
3. Before You Begin
- Assigned reading: Chapter 11, and selected sections of Chapters 7 and 8 (verification and error).
- Prerequisite knowledge: Lessons 9.1 and 9.2; understanding of authorship, attribution, and source rights.
- Optional AI tool: Not required; use synthetic examples provided.
- Academic-integrity reminder: This lesson teaches you to avoid misconduct; it does not provide evasion techniques.
- Accessibility: All answers are in expandable details elements.
- Estimated preparation time: 15–20 minutes for the reading and retrieval practice.
4. Retrieval Practice
Check your understanding of key concepts from previous lessons that relate to integrity.
Question 1: In Lesson 9.1, you learned that attribution does not create permission. How does this relate to plagiarism?
Show answer
Plagiarism is about presenting someone else’s work as your own without appropriate acknowledgement. Even if you have permission to use a work, you must still give proper attribution to avoid plagiarism. Permission and attribution are separate requirements.
Question 2: From Lesson 9.2, why can’t AI be considered an author? How does that affect plagiarism when AI generates text?
Show answer
AI cannot be an author because it lacks accountability. If you use AI-generated text without acknowledgement and present it as your own, you are committing plagiarism because you are taking credit for work that is not yours. The AI’s output is not your original expression.
Question 3: What does the SCOPE framework help you assess, and how does it apply to evaluating whether AI use is appropriate for a given task?
Show answer
SCOPE assesses Suitability, Context, Ownership, Permissions, and Ethics. When deciding if AI use is appropriate, you need to consider the context (e.g., assignment requirements), ownership of the content, permissions, and ethical implications, including whether the use might constitute plagiarism or substitution.
5. Opening Scenario
A student is writing a research paper. They find a well-written paragraph in a journal article and decide to use it. Instead of quoting or citing it properly, they paste it into an AI tool with the instruction: “Rewrite this so it will not be detected as copied.”
The AI produces a paraphrased version that changes some words and sentence structures but retains the original meaning and many phrases. The student uses the AI-generated paraphrase in their paper, provides a citation to the original article, but does not mention using AI.
Questions to consider:
- What integrity problems arise in this scenario?
- Is changing words sufficient to avoid plagiarism?
- What should the student do instead?
- What policy and source-use questions apply?
Show guided analysis
1. Integrity problems: The student used AI to paraphrase with the explicit goal of evading detection, which is a form of academic dishonesty. The paraphrase may still be too close to the original (patchwriting), and the use of AI is undisclosed. Even with a citation, the AI-generated paraphrase may not reflect the student’s own understanding.
2. Changing words insufficient: No. Responsible paraphrasing requires genuine understanding and independent expression. Simply changing synonyms and structure while keeping the original’s flow and ideas is not sufficient; it can still constitute plagiarism if it is too close.
3. What to do instead: The student should read the original, understand it, then write their own summary or paraphrase without looking at the source, and then compare to ensure they have not copied structure. They should also cite the source properly and, if using AI, disclose that AI was used for language assistance, not for generating content.
4. Policy questions: Is AI use permitted for this assignment? What constitutes acceptable assistance? Does the institution have specific rules about AI and paraphrasing? The student must check the course syllabus and university policies.
6. Core Content
6.1 Plagiarism vs. Copyright Infringement
Plagiarism is presenting another source’s words, ideas, structure, or work as one’s own without appropriate acknowledgement, according to the applicable context.
Copyright infringement is the violation of legal rights granted to copyright holders, such as unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or adaptation.
Key distinctions:
- Plagiarism is about integrity and attribution; copyright is about legal rights.
- Plagiarism can occur even if you have permission or the work is in the public domain (e.g., you take credit for someone else’s idea without citing).
- Copyright infringement can occur even with proper attribution (e.g., you cite a work but reproduce it without permission).
- A use may be:
- Plagiarism but not copyright infringement (e.g., copying a public-domain poem without attribution).
- Copyright infringement but not plagiarism (e.g., quoting with attribution but exceeding fair use).
- Both or neither.
Example: Plagiarism vs. Copyright
Scenario: A student copies a paragraph from a website, cites the source, but does not use quotation marks. The paragraph is copyrighted.
- Plagiarism? Yes, because the student did not indicate that those words are directly quoted (even though they cited).
- Copyright infringement? Possibly, if the copying exceeds fair use or permission.
Proper practice: quote with quotation marks and cite, or paraphrase with citation.
6.2 Responsible Paraphrasing
Responsible paraphrasing requires:
- Understanding the source fully.
- Expressing the idea independently in your own words and structure.
- Preserving the original meaning accurately.
- Avoiding close structural copying.
- Citing the source where required.
- Verifying that AI assistance did not distort the meaning or create patchwriting.
AI-generated paraphrasing may create:
- Patchwriting: Changing a few words but retaining the original sentence structure and order.
- Altered meaning: Introducing errors or changing nuances.
- Invented detail: Hallucinating facts or sources.
- Lost qualification: Removing hedging or important context.
- Hidden copying: Not sufficiently transforming the text.
- False originality: Claiming the output as your own when it is mostly AI-generated.
Paraphrase evaluation example
Original source: “The rapid urbanisation of coastal regions has led to significant environmental degradation, including the loss of wetlands and increased pollution of marine ecosystems.” (Author, 2020)
Poor paraphrase (patchwriting): “The fast urbanisation of coastal areas has caused considerable environmental damage, such as the loss of wetlands and increased pollution of marine ecosystems.” (Changed few words, same structure)
Responsible paraphrase: “According to Author (2020), coastal urban growth has damaged the environment by destroying wetlands and polluting oceans.” (Different structure, own words, meaning preserved, citation)
6.3 Patchwriting
Patchwriting occurs when a writer changes selected words or phrases while retaining too much of the source’s language, structure, or order, often by substituting synonyms and rearranging a few sentences. It is considered a form of plagiarism because the writer has not genuinely transformed the material.
Patchwriting often happens when a writer lacks confidence or understanding of the source, or when using AI tools that simply swap words.
To avoid patchwriting:
- Read for comprehension, not just to copy.
- Set the source aside and explain the idea in your own words.
- Compare your version against the original to check for structural similarity.
- Cite the source.
- Preserve technical precision (don’t change technical terms unnecessarily).
Patchwriting example
Original: “The new policy aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 through a combination of incentives for renewable energy and penalties for high-emission industries.”
Patchwritten: “The fresh policy seeks to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 via a mix of incentives for green energy and penalties for high-emission sectors.”
Responsible paraphrase: “A new policy introduced to lower carbon output relies on both financial incentives for clean energy and fines for polluters, with a goal of a 30% reduction by 2030.”
6.4 Source Laundering
Source laundering occurs when a source’s words, claims, or ideas pass through AI-generated text and their origin becomes hidden, distorted, or replaced with an incorrect citation. This can happen when AI generates text that resembles a source but does not cite it, or when it fabricates citations.
Risks include:
- Attributing ideas to the wrong author.
- Propagating inaccuracies.
- Creating false provenance.
- Undermining trust in your work.
Detailed claim tracing and verification are covered in Units 10 and 11, but you should be aware that AI may inadvertently launder sources. Always verify citations and check the original sources.
6.5 Style Imitation
Style imitation involves asking an AI system to reproduce distinctive features associated with a living creator, identifiable professional, student, colleague, or public figure.
Concerns include:
- Misleading attribution: The output may be mistaken for the original creator’s work.
- Loss of voice: You may lose your own voice and originality.
- Reputational harm: The creator may be misrepresented.
- Unfair substitution: You might pass off AI-generated work as your own original style.
- Appropriation: Using someone’s distinctive style without permission.
- Impersonation: Could be used to create fake content attributed to the person.
- Contractual/platform restrictions: Many platforms prohibit impersonation.
- Uncertain rights: Style may not be copyrightable, but moral rights or publicity rights may apply.
Better approach: Describe general characteristics you want (e.g., “concise,” “formal,” “reflective”) rather than asking to mimic a specific living person’s style.
6.6 Synthetic Quotations and Media
Synthetic quotations are AI-generated text presented as if it were an actual quotation from a person, source, or document.
Synthetic media includes AI-generated or altered text, images, audio, video, avatars, translations, and dialogue.
Key principles:
- Never present AI-generated text as an actual quotation, testimonial, endorsement, interview response, witness statement, or historical statement unless it is authentic and verified.
- Fictional or simulated content must be labelled clearly.
- Examine consent, permission, provenance, labelling, audience understanding, impersonation, reputational effect, accessibility, misinformation, and community authority.
If you use synthetic media for illustrative purposes, clearly indicate that it is AI-generated and not a real representation.
6.7 Permitted Assistance vs. Inappropriate Substitution
Permitted assistance (subject to policy) may include:
- Brainstorming ideas
- Generating practice questions
- Explaining a concept
- Language feedback (grammar, clarity)
- Outlining
- Formatting
- Identifying areas for revision
Inappropriate substitution may include:
- Generating assessed work presented as the student’s own
- Replacing assigned reading
- Inventing sources
- Concealing AI use
- Generating personal reflection
- Completing a task specifically assessing unaided skill
- Bypassing required collaboration or professional judgment
The applicable assignment and institutional policy control what is permitted. Always check before using AI.
6.8 Applying Institutional Policies
Academic integrity policies vary by institution, course, and even assignment. You must:
- Read your syllabus and course policies carefully.
- Consult your university’s academic integrity code.
- Ask your instructor for clarification if unsure.
- Understand that different assignments may have different rules (e.g., exams may prohibit AI entirely, while research papers may allow it with disclosure).
- Be aware that professional fields (e.g., law, medicine) may have stricter standards.
Do not assume a universal AI policy. The rule that applies is the one in your specific context.
7. CREATE Walkthrough: Transparency and Evaluation
We now cover the remaining elements of CREATE: T (Transparency and AI-use disclosure) and E (Evaluation, verification, responsibility, and correction). These are crucial for maintaining integrity in AI-assisted work.
Element T: Transparency and AI-Use Disclosure
Provide accurate, proportionate disclosure of how AI was used, what tasks it performed, and what human contributions were made.
Guiding questions:
- What AI system was used?
- What tasks did AI support (brainstorming, drafting, editing, etc.)?
- What parts of the final work were AI-generated?
- What parts were human-created and revised?
- Is the disclosure specific and truthful?
- Does the disclosure meet institutional or publisher requirements?
Example: “I used ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-4) to generate a first draft of the literature review section. I then revised the content, added my own analysis, verified all sources, and restructured the argument. I take full responsibility for the final work.”
Common mistake: Vague disclosure such as “AI was used” without detail, or “Edited with technology.” These are insufficient.
Safeguard: Always tie disclosure to what actually happened. Avoid including confidential prompt content in public disclosures.
Stop condition: If you cannot honestly disclose the AI use without admitting to prohibited conduct, you should not proceed.
Residual limitation
Disclosure does not make prohibited AI use acceptable. If the assignment forbids AI, even full disclosure will not make it permissible.
Element E (second): Evaluation, Verification, Responsibility, and Correction
Verify all content, sources, and claims; take responsibility for the final work; and correct errors promptly.
Guiding questions:
- Have you verified all facts, data, and citations?
- Have you checked for plagiarism or patchwriting?
- Are you prepared to answer questions about the work?
- If errors are found, will you correct them?
- Do you accept accountability for the content?
Example: After using AI, the author checks every claim against original sources, runs a plagiarism check, and revises any unclear passages. They are ready to defend the work.
Common mistake: Assuming AI-generated content is accurate without verification.
Safeguard: Create a verification record. Use tools like citation tracing (covered in Units 10–11) to ensure sources are real.
Escalation: If you cannot verify a claim or source, escalate to consult the original source or seek guidance.
Residual limitation
Verification is time-consuming but essential. In some cases, you may need to redesign or abandon the AI-assisted part if verification is impossible.
8. Process Walkthrough: From Source to Paraphrase to Policy Compliance
Follow this process to ensure your paraphrasing and use of sources are academically and professionally sound.
| Stage | Action | Guiding Question | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Understand | Read the source thoroughly until you understand it. | What is the main idea and key evidence? | Read an article on climate policy. |
| 2. Set aside | Close the source and explain it in your own words. | Can you restate the idea without looking? | Write a summary from memory. |
| 3. Compare | Compare your version with the original for similarity. | Is your wording and structure sufficiently different? | Check for copied phrases or same sentence flow. |
| 4. Revise | If too similar, revise further. | Can you rephrase more independently? | Change the sentence structure, use synonyms. |
| 5. Cite | Provide a proper citation to the source. | Have you given credit to the original author? | Include in-text citation and reference. |
| 6. Check AI use | If you used AI, verify the paraphrase is accurate. | Did AI distort meaning or structure? | Review AI output and correct. |
| 7. Disclose | If required, disclose AI assistance. | Does the assignment require disclosure? | Add a note about AI use. |
| 8. Verify | Ensure the source exists and claims are accurate. | Is the citation real and accurate? | Check the source document. |
| 9. Responsibility | Accept accountability for the final content. | Are you prepared to defend this? | Sign off on the work. |
Complete walkthrough example
Scenario: You want to paraphrase a passage about AI ethics from a book.
- Understand: Read the passage several times.
- Set aside: Write: “The book argues that ethical AI requires transparency and accountability.”
- Compare: Original: “Ethical AI systems must be transparent in their decision-making and accountable to those affected.” Your version is different but captures the idea.
- Revise: Fine-tune: “According to the author, AI ethics hinges on transparency and the ability to hold systems responsible.”
- Cite: (Author, 2024, p. 45).
- Check AI: If you used AI, ensure it didn’t generate a patchwritten version.
- Disclose: If applicable, mention AI was used for grammar suggestions.
- Verify: Check that the book has those arguments.
- Responsibility: You stand by the paraphrase.
9. Self-Check Quiz
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the difference between plagiarism and copyright infringement?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: b.
Plagiarism concerns attribution and integrity; copyright concerns legal rights. They are distinct concepts that can overlap but do not always coincide.
Question 2: What is patchwriting?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: b.
Patchwriting changes a few words but retains the original structure and order, which is considered a form of plagiarism.
Question 3: A student uses an AI tool to paraphrase a passage from a source, then includes the paraphrase in their paper with a citation to the source. The AI-generated paraphrase changes synonyms but retains the original sentence structure. This is:
Show answer and explanation
Answer: b.
Even with citation, the structure is too similar, and the student hasn’t independently expressed the idea. This is patchwriting and potentially plagiarism.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of inappropriate substitution when using AI?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: c.
Using AI to write an entire essay and submitting it as your own is substitution, not assistance.
Question 5: True or False: If you disclose that you used AI, you can use it for any task without violating academic integrity.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: False.
Disclosure does not make prohibited use acceptable. If the assignment forbids AI for a particular task, disclosure does not change that.
Question 6: What is source laundering?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: b.
Source laundering occurs when AI-generated text obscures the original source of ideas or facts, often through fabrication or misattribution.
Question 7: Why is imitating the distinctive style of a living creator potentially problematic?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: d.
Style imitation can raise copyright, misattribution, and impersonation concerns, especially when the creator is living and identifiable.
Question 8: What should you do if you cannot verify a source that an AI system generated?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: b.
Unverified sources cannot be used. You should remove the source and revise the content, or seek the source directly or consult a librarian.
10. Practice Exercises
Apply your knowledge with these exercises.
- Difficulty: Introductory
- Estimated time: ~10 min
- Learning outcome: Distinguish plagiarism from copyright infringement.
Scenario: A student finds a public-domain poem and includes it in their essay without attribution. Later, they find a copyrighted image and include it with a citation but without permission.
Questions:
- Is the poem use plagiarism? Copyright infringement?
- Is the image use plagiarism? Copyright infringement?
Show sample answer
- Poem: Plagiarism (no attribution), but not copyright infringement (public domain).
- Image: Not plagiarism (citation given), but likely copyright infringement (no permission).
- Difficulty: Introductory
- Estimated time: ~10 min
- Learning outcome: Identify patchwriting.
Original: “The rapid development of artificial intelligence has raised significant concerns about job displacement, particularly in sectors where routine tasks are prevalent.”
Student version: “The fast growth of AI has raised major worries about job loss, especially in areas where repetitive tasks are common.”
Question: Is this patchwriting? Why?
Show sample answer
Yes, it is patchwriting. The student changed a few words but kept the same sentence structure and order. This is not a genuine paraphrase because it does not demonstrate independent expression.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated time: ~12 min
- Learning outcome: Evaluate paraphrase accuracy.
Original: “Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, but their intermittency remains a significant challenge for grid stability.”
Paraphrase A: “Solar and wind energy are becoming cheaper compared to fossil fuels, but the fact that they are not always available makes it hard to keep the grid stable.”
Paraphrase B: “Intermittency is a major hurdle for grid stability, even though renewables like solar and wind are now competitive with fossil fuels on cost.”
Question: Which paraphrase is more responsible and why?
Show sample answer
Paraphrase B is better. It reorders the ideas (foregrounds intermittency) and uses different phrasing. Paraphrase A is closer to the original structure and wording, and may be patchwriting.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated time: ~10 min
- Learning outcome: Identify source laundering.
Scenario: A student asks an AI to summarise a journal article. The AI produces a summary that includes a claim that is not in the article, but the student cites the article as the source.
Question: What integrity issue does this raise?
Show sample answer
Source laundering. The AI-generated text introduced a claim that appears to come from the article but does not. The student is misattributing the idea to the article, which is a form of source laundering. The student should verify the claim against the original.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated time: ~12 min
- Learning outcome: Distinguish assistance from substitution.
Scenario: An assignment requires you to write a personal reflection on your learning experience. You use AI to generate a draft of the reflection, then revise it to add your own experiences.
Question: Is this assistance or substitution? Why?
Show sample answer
This is inappropriate substitution. A personal reflection must come from your own experience. Using AI to draft it replaces the authentic personal voice, even if you revise it. You should write it yourself and only use AI for editing suggestions.
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Estimated time: ~10 min
- Learning outcome: Redesign a style-imitation request.
Original request: “Write this email in the style of Elon Musk.”
Question: How would you redesign this request to avoid style-imitation risks?
Show sample answer
Redesigned: “Write this email in a direct, concise, and slightly informal tone, with a focus on forward-looking statements.” This avoids impersonating a living person and uses general stylistic descriptors.
- Difficulty: Introductory
- Estimated time: ~10 min
- Learning outcome: Develop a synthetic-content label.
Scenario: You create an AI-generated image of a historical figure for a presentation. You want to use it to illustrate the figure’s appearance.
Question: How should you label this image to avoid misleading your audience?
Show sample answer
Label: “AI-generated representation of [figure’s name] created with [tool]. This is not an actual photograph.” This clearly indicates the synthetic nature.
11. Homework Problems
A student copies a paragraph from a book, changes a few words, and cites the book. Is this plagiarism? Is it copyright infringement? Explain.
Show solution design
Solution: This is plagiarism because the student is not using quotation marks and the paraphrase is too close (patchwriting). It may also be copyright infringement if the reproduction exceeds fair use, even with citation.
Evaluate the following paraphrase. Original: “The study found that exercise improves cognitive function in older adults.” Paraphrase: “Older adults who exercise show better cognitive performance, according to the study.” Is this responsible? Why or why not?
Show solution design
Solution: This is a responsible paraphrase. It changes the sentence structure (subject-verb-object rearranged) and uses different phrasing while preserving meaning. Citation would still be needed.
Original: “The new policy will reduce emissions by taxing high-polluting industries and subsidising clean energy.” Patchwritten version: “The fresh policy will cut emissions by charging high-polluting industries and supporting clean energy.” Identify the patchwriting and propose a responsible paraphrase.
Show solution design
Patchwriting: The structure is identical; synonyms are swapped. Responsible paraphrase: “To lower emissions, the policy imposes taxes on heavy polluters and provides subsidies for clean energy, aiming to shift industrial behaviour.”
You use an AI to summarise a news article. The AI generates a summary that includes a quote from an expert, but the quote is not in the article. You include the quote in your paper and cite the news article. What is the problem?
Show solution design
Problem: This is source laundering. You are attributing a claim to a source that does not contain it. You must verify the article and correct the summary, or remove the quote.
A student uses AI to generate an outline for a term paper, then writes the paper themselves using the outline. Is this acceptable assistance or substitution?
Show solution design
Solution: This is generally acceptable assistance, provided the student discloses the AI’s role (if required) and ensures the final content is their own. It becomes substitution if the AI also writes the content.
You are asked to write a script for a short film in the style of a famous director. Should you do this? What are the risks?
Show solution design
Solution: For educational purposes, it may be acceptable if you are studying style, but you should avoid misrepresentation. You could instead describe the stylistic elements you want to use. Risks include misleading attribution and potential legal issues (right of publicity).
You are writing a review and you want to include a quote from an expert, but you cannot find an actual quote. You ask an AI to generate a plausible quote and attribute it to the expert. What is wrong with this?
Show solution design
Problem: This is unethical and potentially fraudulent. You cannot fabricate quotes. You must find an actual quote or paraphrase the expert’s views with proper citation.
Your course syllabus states: “AI may be used for brainstorming and editing, but you must disclose its use. However, the final essay must be your own work.” You use AI to generate a full first draft and then heavily revise it. Does this comply with the policy?
Show solution design
Solution: Likely not. The policy allows brainstorming and editing, but generating a full draft goes beyond that. Even with revision, the initial content came from AI, which may violate the “your own work” requirement. You should check with the instructor.
You are working with a group, and one member uses AI to generate a section without disclosing it. The group submits the work. What are the integrity issues, and what should the group do?
Show solution design
Issues: The undisclosed AI use may violate policy and plagiarism standards. The group should discuss, verify the content, and decide whether to disclose the AI use or rewrite the section without AI. They should also ensure all members agree on integrity practices.
You wrote a paper using AI for grammar corrections. You also used AI to generate some background information, which you verified. How do you evaluate your use? Is it responsible?
Show solution design
Solution: This is likely responsible if you disclosed the AI use, verified the background information, and the grammar corrections are acceptable. The key is transparency and verification. You should also check the assignment policy.
A student discloses that they used AI to write their essay, but the assignment explicitly forbids AI. Does disclosure make it acceptable?
Show solution design
Solution: No. Disclosure does not make prohibited use acceptable. The student violated the assignment rule and should expect consequences.
You submitted a paper and later discover that an AI-generated citation is fabricated. What should you do?
Show solution design
Solution: You should immediately notify your instructor, provide a corrected version with real citations, and apologise. This demonstrates responsibility and integrity.
You are using an AI to generate content for a professional report. The AI starts producing text that closely resembles a copyrighted source you provided, and you cannot verify the originality. What should you do?
Show solution design
Solution: You should stop, not use the AI-generated text, and either write the content yourself or seek permission for the source. This is a stop condition because you cannot verify the rights and originality.
12. Mini-Project: Academic and Creative Integrity Audit
- Purpose: Audit a synthetic AI-assisted work for integrity issues.
- Learning outcomes: Identify and evaluate plagiarism, patchwriting, source laundering, style imitation, and substitution.
- Estimated effort: 90–150 minutes.
Scenario
A student has produced a final project report on “The Future of Remote Work.” The student used AI in the following ways:
- AI generated a list of key trends and statistics based on a prompt.
- AI wrote a first draft of the introduction and conclusion.
- AI created a series of charts from data the student provided.
- The student revised the AI-generated text, added personal observations, and verified some statistics but not all.
- The student did not disclose AI use.
- One chart includes a reference to a source that does not exist.
- The introduction mimics the style of a well-known tech journalist (the student requested that style).
Required Sections
- Purpose: What is the purpose of the project?
- Assignment or professional requirements: What are the integrity rules?
- Sources: List the sources used.
- Permissions: Are permissions needed?
- Human contribution: What did the student contribute?
- AI contribution: What did AI contribute?
- Verbatim material: Is any text copied verbatim?
- Paraphrased material: Is paraphrasing responsible?
- Patchwriting risk: Is there patchwriting?
- Structural imitation: Does the structure copy another work?
- Citation accuracy: Are citations accurate?
- Source-laundering risk: Is there source laundering?
- Style-imitation concern: Is style imitation problematic?
- Synthetic quotation or media: Are there synthetic elements?
- Assistance-versus-substitution analysis: Is AI use assistance or substitution?
- Required revisions: What needs to be revised?
- Required attribution: What attribution is needed?
- Required disclosure: What disclosure is needed?
- Human responsibility: Who is responsible?
- Escalation or stop condition: Should the work be stopped?
- Preliminary integrity recommendation: What is your recommendation?
Show staged hints
Hint 1: Identify all AI contributions and human contributions separately.
Hint 2: Check for patchwriting by comparing the AI-generated text to any sources the student provided.
Hint 3: The fabricated citation is a serious issue; it must be corrected or removed.
Hint 4: The style imitation of a journalist may be problematic if it misleads.
Hint 5: Lack of disclosure is an integrity problem.
Show solution architecture
- Purpose: Project report on remote work.
- Requirements: Typically, academic integrity requires original work and disclosure.
- Sources: Some sources provided by student, plus AI-generated sources (some fabricated).
- Permissions: Not relevant here, but data may have rights.
- Human contribution: Provided data, revised text, added personal observations.
- AI contribution: Trends list, draft intro/conclusion, charts.
- Verbatim: Possibly none, but check.
- Paraphrasing: May be patchwritten if AI output is close to sources.
- Patchwriting risk: Check AI output against sources; possible.
- Structural imitation: Could be a risk if AI copied structure from training data.
- Citation accuracy: One fabricated citation – must remove or verify.
- Source laundering: The fabricated citation is a form of laundering.
- Style imitation: Imitating a journalist – may be inappropriate.
- Synthetic media: Charts are AI-generated; should be labelled.
- Assistance vs. substitution: AI wrote substantial content, so it crosses into substitution.
- Revisions: Rewrite AI-generated sections, verify all sources, remove fabricated citation.
- Attribution: Cite original sources for data and ideas.
- Disclosure: Disclose AI use for drafting and charts.
- Responsibility: Student is responsible.
- Escalation: Fabricated citation is a stop condition; must correct before submission.
- Recommendation: Do not submit; revise, verify, disclose, and seek guidance.
Show illustrative partial example
Section 9: Patchwriting risk
The AI-generated introduction may contain phrases similar to the student’s provided sources. For
example, if the student gave the AI an article, the AI might have paraphrased too closely. The student
should compare and rewrite.
Section 13: Style-imitation concern
Requesting the style of a specific journalist could be misleading if the final text is presented as
the student’s own, as it may sound like that journalist. The student should instead focus on their own
voice.
Section 18: Required disclosure
The student should disclose: “I used [AI tool] to generate an initial draft, create charts, and
suggest trends. I revised all content and verified some statistics. I take full responsibility.”
Self-Review Checklist
- Did I identify all AI and human contributions?
- Did I check for patchwriting and source laundering?
- Did I address the fabricated citation?
- Did I evaluate style imitation risks?
- Did I recommend appropriate revisions and disclosure?
13. Summary & Key Takeaways
- Plagiarism is about attribution and integrity; copyright is about legal rights. They are distinct.
- Responsible paraphrasing requires understanding, independent expression, and citation.
- Patchwriting and source laundering are integrity risks that can occur with AI.
- Style imitation and synthetic content must be handled carefully to avoid misrepresentation.
- Permitted assistance (brainstorming, editing) differs from inappropriate substitution (writing entire assignments).
- Disclosure does not make prohibited use acceptable.
- Always apply the specific institutional and assignment policies.
- The CREATE elements T (Transparency) and E (Evaluation) help ensure integrity.
Common Misconceptions
- ❌ “If I cite the source, I can copy it verbatim.” → ✅ Quoting requires quotation marks.
- ❌ “Paraphrasing means changing a few words.” → ✅ It requires new structure and expression.
- ❌ “Disclosing AI use makes it ethical.” → ✅ Disclosure is important, but the use must also be permitted.
- ❌ “AI-generated text is not plagiarised because it’s new.” → ✅ If it copies ideas without attribution, it’s plagiarism.
14. Next Steps
You have completed Lesson 9.3. You can now distinguish plagiarism from copyright infringement, evaluate paraphrasing, and understand the boundaries of acceptable AI use.
Next lesson: Lesson 9.4 — CREATE, AI-Use Disclosure, and Integrity Decisions — where you will apply the full CREATE framework, prepare disclosures, and make final integrity decisions.
Assignment 3 connection: The audit you practised here is directly applicable to analysing a case study for the assignment.