You are writing a scientific article or a contribution for a book and would like to use AI tools. Maybe you want to have your article/contribution checked for language errors, rewritten, translated... or you want to generate graphics and/or images. Is that allowed? And what should you definitely take into consideration?

Ghent University offers access to the AI tool Microsoft Copilot Chat. 
For more information, please consult following Research Tip: GenAI: Copilot Chat as an AI assistant at Ghent University (choosing data security).

Position of the journal/publisher

Find out what the position of the academic journal or publisher (and, by extension, the editor) is. Is the use of (Gen)AI discussed in their guidelines? If usage is allowed (in certain circumstances or for certain tasks), be sure to follow the journal or publisher's instructions and guidelines. If you do not follow these, you risk having your article or contribution rejected. If the use of (Gen)AI is not mentioned in the guidelines or instructions, you can safely contact them to find out if your use is allowed. That way, you will not be in for an unpleasant surprise after you have already submitted your article or contribution.

Position of your research institution

As a researcher at Ghent University, you also have to follow the guidelines of this research institute. UGent is committed to the ethical and responsible use of (Gen)AI. Consult the university-wide framework for the responsible use of AI via the general webpage about (gen)AI at Ghent University. As a research institution, UGent subscribes to the European code of conduct for scientific integrity (also known as the ALLEA code) and also follows the other relevant Belgian and European directives and legislation. Be sure to keep in mind the potential ethical implications and challenges that may be associated with the use of (Gen)AI.

Would you like more information about the responsible use of (Gen)AI at Ghent University? Then consult:  

• The the university-wide framework for the responsible use of AI
• The intranet page “Ethical and responsible (Gen)AI use in research”
• Module 2.1 en 2.9 (THE LATTER IS NOT YET AVAILABLE - STILL BEING UPDATED) of the Ufora infosite “Generative AI - About learning, creating, researching, and teaching”
• Research Tip: GenAI: Translating Research Integrity into Responsible (Gen)AI Use

National and European legislation and guidelines

In addition to the above factors, you should also consider national and international legislation and guidelines if you, as a researcher, want to use (Gen)AI for or incorporate it into your research, or, in this case, use it when writing your article or contribution. Thus, depending on where you would conduct your research, you must comply with and follow national (Belgian) and European legislation and guidelines.

Would you like more information about (Gen)AI at Ghent University?

Ghent University already offers a wealth of information about dealing with (generative) AI from various perspectives and for various purposes (e.g. about its functioning, risks, responsible use, tools and applications, exercises, training, peer review and evaluation, transcription, research proposals, etc.). An overview of all (Gen)AI-related pages can be found at “GenAI: Overview of information about (Gen)AI at Ghent University”, such as the research and education tips, the intranet, the general webpage, the Ufora infosites, etc.

 Be sure to take a look at our general webpage “Generative AI at Ghent University”! Here you will find the official framework for the responsible use of AI at Ghent University, an overview of basic information, and the range of information and training courses offered at Ghent University.