Michigan Tech now allows students to access the basic Google Gemini AI App as of Wednesday, Jan. 8. Gemini will be available at no cost to MTU faculty, students, and staff. Gemini is a tool that can be used by students for brainstorming, refinement, summarizing, and checking understanding.
This change provides students with a piece of technology that is being used more and more regularly in today’s ever growing tech industry. Students will have more exposure to these tools and concepts, providing opportunities to improve AI literacy skills, letting them see the biases and ethical implications of AI generated responses. This expanded knowledge gives students an upper hand as they enter the workforce.
A representative on the Michigan Tech Academic Integrity Committee noted that it is recommended to “follow instructor’s guidelines” and that AI tools “may be appropriate for brainstorming, but not copying and pasting.” Knowledge of the policies and regulations regarding the use of AI tools give students the chance to take full advantage of the tool while staying within their bounds. Individual instructors may set specific guidelines for their classes, possibly restricting or modifying those already in place. In addition, in all cases, the use of Gemini should be consistent with University Policy 1.06, Acceptable Use of University IT Resources and 1.20, User of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools. The best course of action for whether Gemini can be used for an assignment is to ask your instructor.
Through the license agreement between Michigan Tech and Google, any data submitted to the Gemini AI App will not be used or reviewed to improve AI models. This is the same protection given to data that is created or stored in Google Workspace for Education.
More conversations regarding how AI can be used by students are being explored by the AI Working Group at Michigan Tech. A list of frequently asked questions and a slew of other resources for students and faculty related to working with AI tools is available on their website. Conversations are continuing to explore how the interplay between AI and students in an academic environment will look in the future.
