Ethics: VU policy and AI in assessment

VU policy on generative AI

This module adopts the perspective of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) policy on the use of generative AI in courses. If you are studying or teaching outside the VU, your institution may follow a different policy. Always check the local rules that apply to you.

Are students allowed to use generative AI in their courses?

In short: according to VU policy, students are not permitted to use generative AI unless the lecturer or examiner explicitly states if and how it may be used.

This means that:

Teachers clearly describe in the course manual whether generative AI is allowed, and under which conditions.
Students check the course manual at the start of the course to understand the rules around AI use.

If the course manual or study guide does not mention generative AI, students are encouraged to ask the lecturer for clarification.

AI Assessment Scale (AIAS)

The AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) is a framework designed to evaluate how generative AI is integrated into educational assessments.

It serves two main purposes:

Facilitating dialogue – encouraging open discussions between educators and students about the appropriate use of generative AI in courses and assessments.
Supporting assessment redesign – helping educators rethink and redesign assessments so they stay aligned with learning goals while accounting for evolving AI capabilities.

The AIAS categorizes the use of generative AI in assessments into five levels, ranging from “No AI” to “AI exploration.” This structure helps educators decide how AI can be integrated into their teaching practice while maintaining educational goals and academic integrity.

Key features

Clarity and transparency – the AIAS provides clear guidance on how students may use generative AI in their assessments, fostering trust and a shared understanding of expectations.
Equity and fairness – it supports equal opportunities for students by offering structured, supervised experience with current AI tools.
Flexibility – instead of a rigid policy that simply bans or mandates AI, the AIAS helps educators make informed decisions that fit their specific learning contexts and needs.

Explore the AI Assessment Scale interactively

Use the interactive viewer below to explore the five AI Assessment Scale levels. Select a level to see what it means for an assessment and what guidance applies to students.

The AI Assessment Scale

Select a level to see how AI may be used in an assessment.

Level 1 of 5

Level 1

No AI

Student guidance

Tip: compare levels to decide which one best matches your assessment. You can always combine this with additional course-specific rules.

Ready to apply what you’ve learned?

Now that you’ve explored VU policy and the AI Assessment Scale, put your reasoning to the test with real-world scenarios.