Ethical and responsible use of AI

UQ students who participated in the Student perspectives on AI in higher education project raised valuable ethical questions about using Artificial intelligence (AI). These questions and views have been shared and drawn together in the checklist for ethical AI use to support you.

Watch Ethical and responsible use of AI (YouTube, 1m 18s):

Watch Ethical and responsible use of AI on YouTube.

Checklist for ethical AI use

This checklist was inspired by UQ students’ reflections during focus groups, highlighting the importance of engaging ethically and responsibly with AI in learning. It aims to guide you in using AI responsibly while maintaining fairness, trust, and academic integrity.

Trust, ethics, and integrity

Do you know where the AI-generated information is coming from?
Have you verified the accuracy of AI outputs against trusted sources?
Are you acknowledging and referencing AI contributions in your work to maintain academic integrity?
Have you considered whether the AI respects Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural considerations?
Are you inputting information that isn’t yours to share? For example, Indigenous data, personal information, sensitive information, copyright and licensed works.

Human-centred and equitable learning

Are you using AI to complement collaboration and creativity, not replace them?
Are you mindful of how over-reliance on AI might affect interpersonal connections in your studies?

Responsible use and future preparedness

Are you using AI as a tool to enhance your learning, not as a shortcut?
Are you building your skills and critical thinking alongside AI use?
Are you thinking about the ways future workplaces will value thoughtful integration of technology, including AI use?

By reflecting on these questions, you can use AI responsibly while staying aligned with UQ’s values and your personal learning goals.

Download the Checklist for ethical AI use (PDF, 135.37 KB).

UQ students on trust, ethics, and integrity

AI tools can simplify your studies, but building trust and using them ethically is essential. Always consider how the information was generated, and ensure your use aligns with UQ’s academic integrity guidelines. A student in law shared,

"I’m cautious about AI because it hallucinates and can create false narratives."

Transparency is key—know where the data comes from, and acknowledge AI’s contributions in your work. One student explained,

"I feel better when I understand how the AI came to its conclusions."

Additionally, be mindful of data privacy. A public health student asked,

"When you input data into AI, where does it go? Can you trust it with sensitive information?"

UQ students on human-centred and equitable learning

AI is a powerful tool, but it should never replace the human connections that make learning meaningful. Students in the UQ focus groups valued collaboration and creativity, which AI cannot replicate. As one student reflected,

"Being a student is about connecting with others—AI can’t replace that."

Equity is also crucial. Not all students have the same access to AI tools, which can create unfair advantages. A data science student said,

"It’s not just about having AI—it’s about ensuring everyone can use it fairly.

UQ students on responsible use and future preparedness

Using AI responsibly means treating it as a tool to support your learning, not replace it. Over-reliance on AI can undermine critical thinking and personal growth. As one student shared,

"If you skip the research and let AI do all the work, you’re not really learning."

Preparation for the future involves learning how to integrate AI thoughtfully and ethically into your studies and career. A business student noted,

"Knowing how to use AI effectively is a skill employers will value."

Universities are evolving to teach these skills, ensuring you’re ready for an AI-enhanced world.

Indigenous data and AI

Do you understand how AI impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and First Nations people worldwide? You might have heard about Indigenous data sovereignty, which emphasises the right of First Nations peoples to control how their data is collected, stored, and used.

Tamika Worrell recently summarised some of the risks of AI to Indigenous knowledges and peoples.

The Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA) formulated the FAIR and CARE Principles to inform approaches for Indigenous data governance.

FAIR - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable. CARE - Collective benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics.

Source: GIDA shared under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence.

You can learn more about these principles to inform how you use and shape AI in the future.

UQ’s Indigenous Learning Subcommittee will inform the development of UQ’s AI in Education Ethical Framework in 2025.

Share your views on responsible use of AI

In 2025, a UQ working group will be developing a Responsible use of AI in UQ Education framework. This will acknowledge global ethical implications and debates but will focus on responsible use in teaching, learning, assessment, and student experience.

You can express interest to contribute to this working group or share your views on ethical use of AI.

Indicate your interest or share your views

Further resources to explore

Learn about AI legal, ethical and social issues in the Artificial Intelligence Digital Essentials module, including copyright and privacy risks when using AI tools.
Understand how Indigenous writers from around the world, including Australia, are thinking about AI by reading the Indigenous AI Position Paper.
The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence offers a more global understanding of AI’s impact.
Specifically for students, the Student Guide to AI Literacy was developed by writing experts and embeds ethical considerations into an AI literacy “how to” guide format.