Academic Integrity

AI tools and academic integrity:
what every student should know

AI is changing how students study, but the rules of academic integrity haven't changed. Understand where the line is, how to stay on the right side of it, and how tools like ISMGenius are designed to help — not replace — your own work.

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The Basics

What is academic integrity?

Academic integrity means being honest about your work. It means that what you submit is genuinely yours — your own ideas, your own analysis, your own writing. It is the foundation of fair assessment and the reason your qualifications have value.

Your work is yours

Everything you submit must reflect your own thinking, analysis, and effort. Getting feedback is fine. Having someone — or something — do the work for you is not.

Transparency matters

If your school asks what tools you used, be honest. Using an AI feedback tool to check your draft is not the same as using AI to write your draft — but both deserve transparency.

The learning is the point

Assignments exist to help you learn. Skipping the process with AI might save time now, but it costs you the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need for exams, real-life work, and your future.

Cite your sources

If you use ideas, data, or wording from another source — including AI-generated content — reference it properly. Unattributed use of anyone else's work is plagiarism.

Where is the Line?

Using AI responsibly vs. academic misconduct

AI tools are not inherently good or bad for academic integrity. What matters is how you use them. Here is a clear breakdown.

Responsible use

  • Use AI to get feedback on a draft you have already written
  • Use AI to help explain a concept you are struggling to understand
  • Use AI detection tools to check your own work before submission
  • Ask AI to help you understand what a rubric criterion means
  • Use AI-powered grammar and spell checkers
  • Be transparent with your teacher about what tools you used

Academic misconduct

  • Have AI write any part of your assignment for you
  • Copy-paste AI-generated text into your submission
  • Use AI to paraphrase sources without proper citation
  • Ask AI to answer assessment questions that you then submit
  • Submit AI-generated content and claim it as your own work
  • Use AI to circumvent the learning process your teacher designed
How ISMGenius Helps

Built for feedback,
not for cheating

ISMGenius is fundamentally different from generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Here is why.

01

It does not write anything for you

ISMGenius analyses work you have already written. It tells you how your draft aligns with your rubric criteria — strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. The thinking and writing remain entirely yours.

02

It works like a tutor, not a ghostwriter

Getting rubric-aligned feedback on your draft is conceptually the same as asking a tutor, parent, or peer to review your work before you submit. ISMGenius automates that review — it does not automate the work itself.

03

It includes AI detection and plagiarism scanning

ISMGenius has built-in tools to scan your work for AI-generated patterns and plagiarism. You can check your own work before your teacher does, giving you the opportunity to revise anything that might be flagged.

04

It encourages iteration, not shortcuts

The revision workflow is designed to help you submit multiple drafts and track your improvement over time. Each revision builds your skills rather than bypassing the learning process.

Consequences

What happens if you breach academic integrity?

Schools and QCAA take academic integrity seriously. The consequences of submitting AI-generated work or plagiarised content are real.

Zero marks

You may receive zero for the entire assessment piece.

Academic misconduct record

The incident may be recorded on your academic file, which can affect future references.

QCAA investigation

For senior assessments, serious cases can be escalated to QCAA for investigation.

Loss of trust

Rebuilding trust with your teachers after academic misconduct takes time and consistent honest effort.

Know the Rules

QCAA policy and your school

What QCAA expects

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority requires that all work submitted for assessment is authentically the student's own. This applies to internal assessments, external assessments, and any work that contributes to your final results. QCAA's position on AI is clear: using AI to generate content that you submit as your own work is a breach of academic integrity.

However, using AI tools for legitimate study support — such as receiving feedback on a draft, checking grammar, or understanding rubric criteria — is generally acceptable when it does not replace your own thinking and effort. Always check your school's specific AI policy, as rules may vary.

What to check at your school

  • Ask your teacher what AI tools, if any, are permitted for each assessment
  • Read your school's academic integrity policy — it may have specific rules about AI
  • If you are unsure whether a tool is acceptable, ask before you use it
  • Keep records of your writing process (notes, drafts, revision history) in case you need to demonstrate your work is your own

Are you an educator?

We have detailed guidance for teachers on AI detection, formative assessment strategies, and proactive approaches to reducing AI misuse in the classroom.

View Educator Guidance
FAQ

Common questions about AI and academic integrity

Is using AI for assignments cheating?
It depends on how you use it. Having AI write your assignment for you is academic misconduct. But using AI to get feedback on work you have already written — like checking your draft against a rubric or identifying areas to improve — is no different from asking a tutor or peer to review your work. The key is that the thinking and writing remain yours.
Does ISMGenius write my assignment for me?
No. ISMGenius analyses work you have already written and tells you how it aligns with your rubric criteria. It shows you strengths, gaps, and specific improvements — the same kind of feedback a tutor or teacher would give. Your thinking and writing remain entirely your own.
Can my teacher tell if I used AI?
Teachers have access to AI detection tools — including the one built into ISMGenius — that analyse writing patterns sentence by sentence. While no detector is 100% accurate, flagged work often leads to further investigation. The best way to avoid issues is to write your own work and use AI only for feedback and support.
What if I accidentally include AI-generated content?
Use ISMGenius's built-in AI detection tool to scan your work before submitting. If any sections are flagged, revise them in your own words. This proactive approach helps you catch issues before your teacher does.
Is getting feedback on my draft the same as cheating?
No. Getting feedback on a draft you have already written is a normal and encouraged part of the learning process. Teachers, tutors, parents, and peers all provide feedback. ISMGenius simply provides that same type of rubric-aligned feedback using AI — it does not do the work for you.
What does QCAA say about using AI tools?
QCAA expects all submitted work to be authentically the student's own. Using AI to generate content that you submit as your own is a breach of academic integrity. Using AI tools for study support and feedback is generally acceptable. Always check your school's specific policy.

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on your honest work

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