In response to increasing incidents of academic dishonesty involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in universities, the South Korean government has introduced draft ethical guidelines on AI utilization in higher education. These guidelines stipulate that syllabus documents must include standards for AI usage, and students may face penalties for non-compliance with these stipulated AI usage protocols. The guidelines aim to uphold academic integrity and set out measures for accountability and transparency in the educational process, reflecting a significant regulatory shift in academic practices involving AI.

On the 27th of September, the Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education presented these draft guidelines during a meeting aimed at gathering feedback. Key principles outlined by Professor Kim Jami of Korea University, who has been involved in the development of these guidelines, include academic integrity, human-centric governance, transparency, fairness, and the protection of sensitive information. These principles will guide the detailed instructions provided in the guidelines, encompassing citation practices, caution against over-reliance on AI, and considerate handling of personal and sensitive data.

According to the guidelines, faculty members are responsible for defining the scope and purpose of AI usage within their courses. This includes detailing standards for plagiarism and misconduct, as well as maintaining a list of permitted AI tools. Furthermore, both professors and students must disclose the use of AI and the origins of AI-generated materials in their assignments. In situations where online examinations are conducted, verification processes, such as interviews regarding submitted answers, should be included to enhance the rigor of the assessment process. This initiative marks a proactive approach by the government to not only integrate AI responsibly into education but also to mitigate the risks associated with its misuse.