AI Guidelines – Foundations

The Foundation program offers the following guidelines for Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in the classroom for the 2024/2025 academic year. These guidelines were developed by Department Chair Elena Arnaoutova in consultation with the Foundation faculty and staff and should be followed in tandem with the CCS Institutional AI Statement. 

If faculty or students have questions about the implementation of these guidelines in the classroom, they should contact the Department Chair, earnaoutova@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

The main purpose of these guidelines is to inform the understanding and to ensure the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom settings.

In conjunction with the CCS Institutional AI Statement, the Foundations department (faculty, staff, and students) will:

  • Use AI for research and creative process purposes only. Traditional skill development will continue to be the main focus for Foundations Department.
  • Develop an understanding of how to integrate AI effectively and ethically, as an aid to what we do, not as a replacement for what we do as artists and designers.
  • Avoid the use of direct artist, designer, company or brand names within prompts when using image creation AI tools. 
  • Document and cite the context of how AI tools are integrated, and what had been learned through this process. Proper citation is necessary to avoid plagiarism and maintain and show personal and artistic integrity.
  • Comply with the responsible and ethical use of AI. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in disciplinary action, up to and including a failing grade and or suspension from the institution.
  • Submit in writing any wish to offer an exception with intent and outcomes clearly documented. Exceptions must be approved by the Department Chair prior to implementation. AI use within the curriculum will abide by the guidelines offered in the CCS Institutional AI Statement. 
  • Place greater emphasis in all course Pedagogical methodologies on active learning and process work to ensure students can evidence their efforts within assigned projects and develop relevant skills. 

The CCS Academic Integrity Policy has been revised to include AI-related concerns.

As AI technology is evolving, these, and the institution’s, guidelines will change as context requires.