As AI and its use within the transportation design field continues to evolve, our program will monitor and adjust its policies surrounding AI accordingly which should also be followed in tandem with the CCS Institutional AI Statement.
Remaining true to its vision and mission, GRT will ensure the development of world class creative/critical thinkers capable of meeting and exceeding professional expectations. To this end, GRT will continue to prioritize the acquisition of all skills, knowledge, and sensibilities of the traditional design process (without the use of AI), while also carefully exploring the ethical integration of AI into the design process and GRT curriculum as deemed appropriate.
In general, AI may be used to augment but not lesson or replace the learning of the traditional design process. That is the application of any established tools, standards, methodologies, and or principles practiced within the transportation design profession prior to the use of AI – but which are still deemed by the profession to be critical to the current practice of transportation design.
AI usage will closely adhere to the principles and practices of the GRT and CCS Academic Integrity Policy, and be governed by the guidelines below:
- Use (in part or in entirety) of any pre-existing or AI generated work (2D/3D/4D image, model/part, video clip, animation, animated sequences, etc.) is not allowed If the work is being used in place of any design process effort that the student is expected and or required to perform/create without AI.
- Use of such work is allowed, however, if it is approved and properly cited to eliminate any potential incident of plagiarism. Or if it is understood that the work was not required or intended to be designed by the student. E.g. assets that are expected to be externally sourced and are generic, ubiquitous and or part of the public domain: logos/badges, common hardware/mechanisms, nature assets (plants, humans, animals), architectural elements, material patterns/textures etc..
- Unless specifically approved by the instructor in writing, in conjunction with department guidelines, AI system results are not to be used for the “design creation process” e.g. 2D ideation, sketching, rendering, digital modeling etc. but may be used for rendering backgrounds, storyboards, and 3D renderings and animations of student created designs – providing the renderings and animations do not improve the designs beyond what the students’ efforts/process would have yielded.
Students must disclose any/all use of AI, cite the systems and document the relevant prompts utilized in their process and research in the final assignment outcomes.
Unless specifically approved by the instructor in writing, in conjunction with department guidelines, it is prohibited to use the names of artists/designers, companies, or brands within the prompts to maintain the artistic integrity of those involved.
While equity to access for all software, including AI systems, is a priority of the department, many AI platforms do not yet offer institutional subscriptions. Therefore, in this case students are responsible for their own subscriptions when necessary. The department views this similarly to a required textbook that the student would be required to purchase. - Faculty wishing to include AI system consideration and usage into their courses, or make exceptions to the program guidelines, must first discuss and receive permission for such usage or exceptions from the Chair, Raphael Zammit.
- AI use within the curriculum will abide by the guidelines offered in the CCS Institutional AI Statement.
- Pedagogical methodologies in all courses within Transportation Design will place greater emphasis on active learning and process work to ensure students can evidence their efforts within assigned projects.
Towards that end, students should be prepared to show their various Adobe process layers, and digital model files saved in early mid and later stages of development.
Failure to comply with the above guidelines may result in disciplinary action up to and including a failing grade and or suspension from the institution.
The CCS Academic Integrity Policy has been revised to include AI-related concerns.