Ethical Use of AI in University Life

The Digital Mentor 

The cornerstone of ethical use is openness. It is best to think of AI as an infinitely patient advisor. It can help you understand a complex econometric relationship, generate an outline for a project, or easily debug errors. The problem begins when we use this technology as a "ghostwriter." Copying and pasting an assignment from ChatGPT without making changes and exercising critical thinking not only violates university regulations, but also deprives us of the opportunity to grow. After all, the value of a degree comes from the cognitive effort invested in earning it, not the piece of paper itself. 

Critical Thinking 

As economists, we know that the quality of data determines the outcome. Various models often "hallucinate," meaning they confidently state false data, cite non-existent sources or distort statistics and reality. Because of this, it is crucial never to accept a claim from generative models without verifying it from a credible source and to remain aware of algorithmic biases. 

Community Standards at UPFBE 

Trust is key at our Faculty. If you used an algorithm for a task, the clearest path is disclosure. You must state at the end of your paper: "During this work, I used [Model Name] for outlining/brainstorming." This is not a weakness! Professors are not enemies of these technologies; they are the guardians of your professional development. Do not hesitate to ask your seminar leader what qualifies as an allowed aid in their specific course! 

Which model should we choose? 

Effective collaboration requires knowing the unique strengths of each "digital co-worker." Choosing your tools consciously is a sign of professionalism in itself. 

• ChatGPT (OpenAI): The best-known and most versatile assistant. It is excellent for creative brainstorming, quickly structuring essay outlines, or explaining complex economic concepts in plain language. If you are stuck trying to start a topic, this model makes the best "sparring partner." 

• Claude (Anthropic): This model is known for its more precise source management and its nuanced style that closer resembles human writing. It is particularly useful for analyzing and summarizing long papers or PDFs, as well as high-level academic editing, since it "hallucinates" less frequently than its peers. 

• Google Gemini: Its greatest advantage is its integration into the Google ecosystem. If you need statistics for a Google Sheet, or are looking for the latest market news for a current economic analysis, Gemini can be an efficient partner with its up-to-date knowledge base and system-level solutions. 

• Perplexity AI: The Swiss Army knife of research. This tool is actually an AI-powered search engine that provides exact source citations and links for every claim it makes. It helps you avoid the trap of fake citations and easily verify the credibility of the data used. 

• DeepL Write: While not a classic chatbot, it is an essential tool for thesis writing and presentation prep. It does not just translate; it stylistically fine-tunes English texts by enriching professional vocabulary and filtering out linguistic errors. 

• MS Copilot: Every PTE student can access this chatbot through office.com at a level equivalent to having a basic paid subscription. This means that they can use the latest ChatGPT models through Copilot as if they had a subscription, but they do not have to pay extra for it because it is included in the university package. 

Prompting 

Many people get disappointed by these systems because they give them instructions that are too general. Prompt engineering is not just technical wizardry, but a new form of digital literacy. 

To turn artificial intelligence into a true learning partner, it is worth applying the "Role-Context-Task" triad: 

1. Assigning a Role: Do not just treat it as a machine! Give it a professional identity: "Act as an experienced marketing strategy consultant." This ensures that the style and depth of the response meet university expectations. 

2. Clarifying the Context: Tell the system what your goal is: "I am gathering arguments on the benefits and downsides of digital marketing for a term project." The more background information you provide, the less likely you are to get generic, meaningless clichés. 

3. The Task and Constraints: Define the output format precisely: "Create a 5-point outline listing pros and cons, but do not write the full text—just outline the logical flow!" 

Summary 

This technology is a huge magnifying glass that amplifies our strengths, but also our flaws. If we view it as a tool that supports creation rather than replacing humans, we, as university students, can be the winners of the future. Let us stay curious, but let us also stay critical!