Check Boston University AI Policy Online

Check Boston University's official AI guidance, academic-integrity rules, disclosure requirements, and course-specific restrictions before using generative AI.

Verified from official university sources

Quick Policy Overview

AI Allowed Depends

Depends on school and course

Disclosure Depends

Depends; attribution often required

Instructor Overrides Yes

Instructors set the rules for their own courses.

Last Updated 2026

Guidance is revised as technology and academic needs evolve

Data Status Verified

Checked against official university sources.

1. Summary

BU provides student and classroom guidance while allowing academic units and instructors to define acceptable uses. Its Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences also operates a more permissive policy with mandatory credit.

Hybrid Check primary source.

Use scope: Depends on school and course.

Disclosure: Depends; attribution often required.

Instructor/course rules can override the general university guidance.

Integrity: Unauthorized or misleading AI use may be treated as an academic integrity issue under university rules.

Check primary source.

2. Why Check This Policy

BU needs a school-level check because a university guideline and a unit-specific policy can produce different answers. CDS may permit AI with attribution, while another course may prohibit it under the Academic Conduct Code.

3. When AI Is Commonly Allowed

Uses that are allowed with disclosure, attribution, or citation.

Only if your instructor allows it for the specific assignment.

4. When AI Is Commonly Restricted

Any use that an instructor, school, or program explicitly prohibits.

Always check your course syllabus for specific restrictions.

5. Disclosure Requirements

Depends; attribution often required.

CDS may permit AI with attribution, while another course may prohibit it under the Academic Conduct Code.

Where AI use is permitted, disclosure usually takes one of these forms:

A statement or acknowledgement in your submission
A citation of the AI tool, in the format your course requires
A short methods note describing how AI was used

Follow the exact format your instructor or department requires.

6. Sources & References

Official AI policy bu.edu — generative ai guidelines for students

Academic integrity policy bu.edu — academic conduct code

Department & school policies bu.edu — generative ai guidelines for classroom use bu.edu — gaia policy

7. FAQ

Can I use AI for assignments?

Uses that are allowed with disclosure, attribution, or citation.

Do I need to disclose AI use?

Depends; attribution often required.

Can an instructor set stricter rules?

Yes. Course-level or instructor-level rules can be stricter than general guidance.

What happens if I break the rules?

Unauthorized or misleading AI use may be treated as an academic integrity issue under university rules. Check primary source.