LibGuides: Artificial Intelligence in Academics: For Students

Suggestions for Students

When using AI tools in your learning, here are some suggestions for ethical and responsible ways to do so. This helps avoid academic misconduct violations and within your future work.

Before using an AI tool for your coursework: Have a conversation with your instructor with regards to AI use on your assignments and research. If you are unsure whether use of a specific tool or using AI tools in general is allowed in your course, reach out to your instructor. Having conversations early is the best way to avoid confusion.

Explore AI software and tools to understand what they can and cannot do, especially with topics you already know a lot about. Take the time to critically analyze their response. AI often lacks the critical thinking skills needed to complete your assignments.

Here are some ways students have been using AI tools in their coursework:

asking for comments and feedback on their assignments and papers
preparing for debates by looking at counter-debate arguments
further explanation on topics they found confusing when they came up in class or in assignments.

AI-U Student Guide to AI
A student guide to navigating college in the artificial intelligence era.

Interacting with AI Tools

Critically thinking about the answers the AI tool gives you is extremely important. Because it is not easy to see where this information is coming from, there is a risk the information is incorrect or is spreading misinformation about a topic.

Take, for instance, this answer from popular AI tool, Chat GPT:

This is incorrect. The website for the city of Jacksonville's water supplier, JEA, says, "JEA does not and has never added fluoride to our drinking water." So currently, the city does not add fluoride to the water supply. This answer is easily found on the JEA website.

When using AI tools, the answer may be factually correct but still bad advice. As an example, this article describes how, when asked to create an Ottawa travel guide, the AI suggested the food bank as a restaurant to visit. The article continues on to describe how factually correct, but questionable advice, has been a common feature seen when asking generative AI tools questions about travel. Did you know that you can actually correct ChatGPT or ask for clarification on its response? Please see the article That's not right: How to tell ChatGPT when it's wrong for examples of how to interact with ChatGPT when you think the response is incorrect.

FSCJ classes teach skills used in AI careers

Cloud
Catalog Search for classes teaching cloud computing.
Introduction to C#
Topics also include object-oriented programming, methods, collections, file input and output, and databases.
Object-Oriented Programming with C++
Students will develop programming projects to reinforce the concepts presented in class and for use in real world situations.
Python
"The programming language Python has become the default choice for AI researchers and engineers. "
more...less...
Thomas, Mike. “Artificial Intelligence Careers: How to Break Into the AI Field, According to Experts.” Builtin.com, 18 July 2023, https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/career-in-artificial-intelligence
ETS 1603C - Robotics - Mechanics and Controls
This course provides experiences in programming an industrial robot for applications ranging from assembly applications involving the interfacing and control for clamping, parts feeding, index table control, conveyor integration, and fault detection.

FSCJ programs teach skills used in AI Careers

AI Machine Learning Bootcamp
The AI Machine Learning Bootcamp is a comprehensive six-month program that correlates directly to the AI and ML industry, a hot topic for the past couple of years. There is also a high demand for AI/ML certified and trained professionals within the industry, as revenue generated by AI/ML products is estimated to reach $156.5 billion worldwide.
Associate in Science (A.S.) in IT Security
The program provides students the skills needed to investigate computer, cyber and electronic crimes and focuses on digital forensics techniques and procedures, assuring that digital evidence is accurate, complete and reliable.
Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Information Systems Technology
The upper division concentrations will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of methodologies and best practices for rapidly advancing technologies.
Computer Information Technology (A.S.)
Software Development Track: This track allows for specialization in software development using modern languages. Students may select 9 credits from C language, C++, C#, Java, Java EE or Visual Basic.NET, ASP.NET, CAPM, Special Topics or Introduction to IT.
Data Science Technician (6287) (T.C.)
The Data Science Technician Technical Certificate is designed for students to a build on fundamental data science concepts and learn more complex programming skills in statistical programming languages like R and SAS, as well as learning to create data visualizations and utilize big data.
Data Science Technology (2157) (A.S.)
Data science extends to multiple areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, computer engineering, computer science, information technology, robotics and telecommunications.
Financial Technology (FinTech) (4301)
This program is for an advanced technical certificate in financial technology and develops FSCJ's students' skills with machine learning, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Attributions

Parts of this guide are adapted (with changes) or reused from:

A guide created by Julie Harding and Robert Miller at the University of Maryland Global Campus.

A guide created by Bronte Chiang at the University of Calgary.

The University of Calgary guide is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.