Guidance on AI in Assessment

Empowering our student success through engaging with generative artificial intelligence

Purpose

The purpose of this statement is to articulate our strategic commitment to the ethical, inclusive and innovative use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in learning, teaching, research and professional practice which supports our students’ success, aligned to our institutional values.

AI statement

At Sheffield Hallam, we see AI as a valuable tool to assist and enhance learning, teaching, research and practice. We are committed to developing AI literacy across our community so that staff and students can confidently use, question and shape AI in ways that prepare them for the future. We embrace its potential, while remaining alert to its risks, limits and impacts on human creativity and judgement. Guided by our values of Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, Inclusion and Ambition, we will promote its ethical, inclusive and purposeful use.

Our Guiding Values aligned to AI

• Collaboration: AI enhances, not replaces, human engagement in learning, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Innovation: We will  creatively engage with  AI to improve practice and productivity across our activities.
• Integrity: Responsible use of AI requires transparency, criticality and ethical judgement.
• Inclusion: Everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from and understand AI, regardless of background or role.
• Ambition: We will demonstrate thought leadership in preparing AI-literate graduates and staff to thrive in a rapidly changing world of disruptive technologies.

Institutional Commitments

• Provide consistent guidance for appropriate AI use
• Support development of AI literacy for staff and students
• Embed AI into curriculum design, pedagogy and assessment responsibly
• Provide clarity of when AI can be used in assessment and support how staff and students can communicate about the transparent use of AI.

Implementation in Assessment 2025-6 

All assessment briefs must be clear to students how AI can or cannot be used. A transparency statement must be included in assessment briefs which guides students as to the ways in which AI can be used and how to communicate the use of AI. 

The Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS) has been created through an institutional working group at Sheffield Hallam University, and it uses 5 descriptors to communicate the way in which AI should be used and how it has been used. It can be used in other contexts as well as assessments. Colleagues do not have to use AITS but must use some similar scaling and communication method to ensure transparent and acceptable AI use

We recommend local discussions with Associate Heads to agree the approach to AI in teaching and learning to ensure a coherent approach in your courses and areas, Students should not be asked to engage in multiple approaches to AI transparency and disclosure. We are planning further development of AI in learning and teaching into 2025-6 and this approach is intended to provide a position and clarity while we undertake further development and support activities.

Examples of AI use statements for assessment briefs:

AI Use Declaration – No AI Permitted (AITS 1)

For this assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (including generative AI such as ChatGPT, GrammarlyGO, and similar tools) is not permitted in any part of the task. This includes idea generation, drafting, editing, or finalising your work.

You must include a brief AI Transparency Statement confirming that no AI was used, in line with AITS 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). An example of a statement you can use is:

“I confirm that no AI tools were used in the preparation or completion of this assessment. This submission aligns with AITS 1 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS).”

Please include this statement [at an appropriate place] in your assessment. Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a breach of academic integrity under our Academic Conduct Policy.

 

AI Use Declaration (AITS 2)

For this assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted up to AITS 2 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). As part of your assessment submission, you are required to include a brief AI Transparency Statement that clearly communicates how you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in completing this work. Use the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS) to select the descriptor that best describes your use of AI, from AITS 1 – No AI to AITS 2 – AI for Shaping.

Your statement should:

• Indicate the AITS descriptor you are using.
• Briefly describe how AI was used (if applicable).
• Reflect on your own contribution and how you engaged critically with AI tools.

Please include this statement [at an appropriate place] in your assessment. Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a breach of academic integrity under our Academic Conduct Policy.

AI Use Declaration (AITS 3)

For this assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted up to AITS 3 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). As part of your assessment submission, you are required to include a brief AI Transparency Statement that clearly communicates how you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in completing this work. Use the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS) to select the descriptor that best describes your use of AI, from AITS 1 – No AI to AITS 3 – AI for Developing.

Your statement should:

• Indicate the AITS descriptor you are using.
• Briefly describe how AI was used (if applicable).
• Reflect on your own contribution and how you engaged critically with AI tools.

Please include this statement [at an appropriate place] in your assessment. Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a breach of academic integrity under our Academic Conduct Policy.

AI Use Declaration (AITS 4)

For this assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted up to AITS 4 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). As part of your assessment submission, you are required to include a brief AI Transparency Statement that clearly communicates how you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in completing this work. Use the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS) to select the descriptor that best describes your use of AI, from AITS 1 – No AI to AITS 4 – AI for Enhancing.

Your statement should:

• Indicate the AITS descriptor you are using.
• Briefly describe how AI was used (if applicable).
• Reflect on your own contribution and how you engaged critically with AI tools.

Please include this statement [at an appropriate place] in your assessment. Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a breach of academic integrity under our Academic Conduct Policy.

AI Use Declaration (AITS 5)

For this assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted up to AITS 5 of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). As part of your assessment submission, you are required to include a brief AI Transparency Statement that clearly communicates how you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in completing this work. Use the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS) to select the descriptor that best describes your use of AI, from AITS 1 – No AI to AITS 5 – AI for Innovating.

Your statement should:

• Indicate the AITS descriptor you are using.
• Briefly describe how AI was used (if applicable).
• Reflect on your own contribution and how you engaged critically with AI tools.

Please include this statement [at an appropriate place] in your assessment. Failure to comply with this requirement may be considered a breach of academic integrity under our Academic Conduct Policy.

Example of student statement:

AI Transparency Statement – AITS 2: AI for Shaping
I used AI at AITS 2 (AI for Shaping) of the Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). Specifically, I used ChatGPT to help brainstorm initial ideas and outline the structure of my essay. I did not use AI to write any part of the content or to edit the final version.
My own contribution involved developing all arguments, conducting research, writing the full text, and critically evaluating the structure suggested by the AI. I used AI as a thinking partner to shape my approach, but all substantive content and analysis are my own.

Sheffield Hallam University – Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS)

AITS	Descriptor	Transparency Statement	AI Contributions	Human Contribution
1	No AI	Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not been used for any part of the activity.	AI is not used for any part of the activity.	All aspects of the activity are human generated, created, edited, and developed.
2	AI for Shaping	AI has been used to shape the initial and/or final parts of the activity.	AI is used for shaping parts of the activity. This includes initial outlining, concept development, prompting thinking, and/or improving structure/quality of the final output.	Most of the activity is human developed/generated. AI ideas and suggestions are refined and reviewed. AI outputs are used for discrete and specific goals/outcomes.
3	AI for Developing	AI has been directed for enhanced development of concepts and outputs.	AI is used to undertake detailed development of many or most aspects of an activity and outputs of that activity.	The human takes a significant role in the enhancement, refinement, and critical review of AI generated elements, combining or curating for any outputs.
4	AI for Enhancing	AI has been implemented for all elements of the task.	AI is used extensively throughout the task to achieve goals and outcomes.	The human directs the use of AI for effective outcomes within an activity. Critical thinking is evidenced for any outputs.
5	AI for Innovating	AI has been used for all elements of a task or piece of work, and it has been used in new, creative, and innovative ways through advanced techniques.	AI is implemented in an advanced and innovative way throughout all aspects of the activity.	AI is used creatively and critically by the human. The human uses AI a co-creator with a critical thinking approach to generating novel AI activities and outputs

Purvis, A. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Transparency Scale (AITS). National Teaching Repository. https://doi.org/10.25416/NTR.28806449.v1 

 

Find Out More:

See the University Policy on AI

Visit the LTA > High Quality Teaching > Digital >AI In Teaching and Learning section for guidance on using AI in the classroom