Librarian's guide to Artificial Intelligence

In a university context, it is natural to view AI and its use with both curiosity and criticism. You can artificial intelligence as a tool to assist in your studies in the following ways:

Assisting in information retrieval With AI, you can search more diversely and narrowly – you can narrow down your search based on specific topics, time periods, types of sources, languages, etc. AI can also help you formulate search queries for specific databases or brainstorm suitable keywords. However, it is essential for users of AI applications to verify the reliability of the content generated. Your learning experience depends on how you utilize and enrich the retrieved information after verification.

Analyzing research publications AI can identify key themes, trends, and perspectives, allowing you to access relevant information for your research more quickly. Keep in mind that AI applications may generate fictional sources. Therefore, it is advisable to seek scientific information directly from library-acquired databases. Also, note that AI applications are not neutral and operate based on their training data.

Discovering ideas and recommendations Based on the publications you've already found and deemed useful, AI can suggest similar articles, books, or studies. This way, you might discover new ideas and perspectives related to your topic.

Assisting in writing AI can facilitate smoother writing processes by checking language accuracy, suggesting better expressions, and aiding in structuring your text. If you have utilized AI applications as writing aids, remember to report how you have used them in your work.

Remember to act responsibly! When using AI for assignments or research projects, be sure to disclose how you have used it as assistance.When using AI applications, always consider how they handle the data you enter, e.g. the text you enter into AI applications may be stored in their databases. It’s in the user’s responsibility to ensure that the data entered into AI applications doesn’t e.g. violate copyright.

The University of Turku published its first guideline on the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and studying on March 23, 2023.

The core principles of the guideline are:

1. Artificial intelligence can be used to support studying but it does not replace the student's own learning.
2. An AI application is also not an actor, and therefore it is neither a source.
3. If a student uses AI for producing text, they are still responsible for the correctness of the text, appropriate referencing as well as data protection.
4. The use of AI applicationscannot require the use of such external services that require registering. Using AI cannot create any extra costs for a student.
5. A teacher has the right to decide that no AI applications are used in a specific course.
6. If a student uses AI in an assignment or thesis, they must disclose the way in which AI has been used.
7. It must also be disclosed if a student uses artificial intelligence for proofreading.
8. Artificial intelligence does not change the basic concept of misconduct: misconduct means activity where a student gives a false impression of their knowledge.

The guideline in its entirety in intranet.

Ethical guidelines for learning in intranet.

The University of Turku published also guideline on the use of artificial intelligence in research at the University of Turku.