Check University of California, Berkeley AI Policy Online

Review UC Berkeley’s generative AI guidance, academic-integrity expectations, course-level rules, and data-use requirements before using AI.

Verified from official university sources

Quick Policy Overview

AI Allowed Depends

Depends on course and assignment

Disclosure Depends

Depends on course; attribution or disclosure may be required

Instructor Overrides Yes

Instructors set the rules for their own courses.

Last Updated 2025

Academic Senate guidance published in 2025; verify individual page dates before publication

Data Status Verified

Checked against official university sources.

1. Summary

Berkeley’s current guidance emphasizes that generative AI must not be used in ways that would count as plagiarism if the source were human. Instructors are expected to communicate course-specific boundaries, while separate university rules govern data and tool use.

Hybrid Check primary source.

Use scope: Depends on course and assignment.

Disclosure: Depends on course; attribution or disclosure may be required.

Instructor/course rules can override the general university guidance.

Integrity: Berkeley’s current guidance emphasizes that generative AI must not be used in ways that would count as plagiarism if the source were human.

Check primary source.

2. Why Check This Policy

Berkeley requires students to separate two questions that are easy to confuse: whether an instructor allows AI for the assignment, and whether the chosen tool is appropriate for university data. Course policies can range from prohibition to structured use, while campus guidance separately restricts how institutional or sensitive information may be shared with AI services.

3. When AI Is Commonly Allowed

The source data does not specify concrete allowed uses beyond course- or instructor-level permission.

Check primary source.

Only if your instructor allows it for the specific assignment.

4. When AI Is Commonly Restricted

AI use that falls under plagiarism or similar misconduct rules.

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

Always check your course syllabus for specific restrictions.

5. Disclosure Requirements

Depends on course; attribution or disclosure may be required.

Disclosure depends on the course, school, or assignment rule. If AI use is allowed, instructors may still require attribution or a statement of use.

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 academic-senate.berkeley.edu — genai guidance for instructors 2025.pdf teaching.berkeley.edu — communicating course policies and talking students

Academic integrity policy conduct.berkeley.edu — integrity

Department & school policies oercs.berkeley.edu — appropriate use generative ai tools grad.berkeley.edu — resources for faculty and staff

7. FAQ

Can I use AI for assignments?

The source data does not define specific permitted uses at page level. Check primary source.

Do I need to disclose AI use?

Depends on course; attribution or disclosure may be 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?

Berkeley’s current guidance emphasizes that generative AI must not be used in ways that would count as plagiarism if the source were human.