Check University of Southern California AI Policy Online

Review USC’s university AI policy, academic-integrity rules, instructor authority, and stricter school-specific restrictions before using generative AI.

Verified from official university sources

Quick Policy Overview

AI Allowed Depends

Depends on instructor; some schools use stricter defaults

Disclosure Depends

Depends; disclosure may be required by course or policy

Instructor Overrides Yes

Instructors set the rules for their own courses.

Last Updated January 9, 2026

Generative AI General Policy issued January 9, 2026

Data Status Verified

Checked against official university sources.

1. Summary

USC has a university-wide generative AI policy governing tool and data use, but academic permission remains course-specific. Access to ChatGPT Edu does not itself authorize AI use in assignments.

Hybrid Check primary source.

Use scope: Depends on instructor; some schools use stricter defaults.

Disclosure: Depends; disclosure may be required by course or policy.

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

USC is important to check because students may mistake university-provided AI access for academic permission. USC explicitly says instructors retain authority over coursework, while Keck School of Medicine prohibits AI in work designed to assess a student’s own knowledge unless faculty expressly permit it. A student must therefore check both the central policy and the applicable school or course rule.

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

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

Always check your course syllabus for specific restrictions.

5. Disclosure Requirements

Depends; disclosure may be required by course or policy.

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 policy.usc.edu — generative ai general policy ai.usc.edu — resources

Academic integrity policy academicintegrity.usc.edu — generative ai and chatgpt edu academicintegrity.usc.edu — addressing generative ai

Department & school policies keck.usc.edu — medical student use of generative artificial intelligence ai tools policy provost.usc.edu — faculty guidance chatgpt edu spring 2026

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; disclosure may be required by course or policy.

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.