Generative AI or Gen AI is a type of artificial intelligence designed to create new content—such as text, images, music, or computer code—based on patterns it has learned from existing data. It works by using large-scale models, often called Large Language Models (LLMs) or foundation models, which have been trained on vast amounts of information from books, websites, code repositories, and more.
When you give Generative AI a prompt (like a question or instruction), it doesn’t just retrieve an answer—it predicts and generates a response that fits the context, drawing on what it has ‘learned’ (what it has seen before). This makes it useful for tasks like writing emails, designing graphics, summarising documents, or even helping with programming.
Here is a short list of commonly used Generative AI tools, each with different strengths and applications:
ChatGPT – Developed by OpenAI, used for generating text, answering questions, writing code, and more.
Google Gemini (formerly Bard) – A conversational AI tool integrated with Google services
Microsoft Copilot – Embedded in Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Claude – Created by Anthropic, known for its thoughtful and safe conversational abilities.
DuckDuckGo - This anonymises your chats so that your private information is kept private and it doesn't use data for training.
Some ways to use Gen AI to help with your assignment preparation include:
brainstorming
help to understand difficult concepts e.g. ask it to rewrite piece of information so a 10 year old can understand it.
ask it to formulate some research questions on your topic
ask it to either broaden or narrow the scope of your research question
ask it to formulate an essay structure for your assignment topic
ask it to suggest keywords / search terms to use in databases to find articles on your topic
See also Using AI Tools For Assignments for more examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of AI in your assignments.
Excerpt from
Doughty, C. Chapter 4: Evaluating your information sources. In C. Doughty, M. Harvey, P. Quin, & P. Worthington. (2025). Research skills for postgraduate study. Victoria University of New Zealand. This book includes:
See also Monash Health Library's guide to recommended AI tools for its assessment of some AI tools as an information source.
Image adapted with permission from Wintec Academic Integrity: Using AI in Assignments webpage. Download a printable copy of the above AI Tool Quick guide here. Find more about AI literacy using Wintec's AI Literacy Toolbox
Bias is one of the biggest concerns when using generative AI. Wintec's resource outlines the kinds of bias affecting Large Language Models. This information from the Office of the Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister further outlines the bias and equity challenges which AI poses.
Wintec also discusses misinformation and disinformation as additional challenges to be aware of.
Below is an interactive guide to ethical issues when using LLMs.
Use the full screen icon in the top right-hand corner to view. Note: This model is borrowed from another source. Some of the links are broken.
If it is discovered you have used AI technology in your assignments in a way that is unacceptable, you may be found guilty of academic misconduct. There are serious consequences for ākonga who are academically dishonest.
AI detection tools are developing at a fast rate and may be used to test past assignments.
Many generative AI tools are trained on data that has not been tested for accuracy, misinformation, disinformation or bias, or the information could be out of date.
You must therefore check any information generative AI tools give you with sources that are reliable. Our advice? Use reliable sources first. If you use AI sources, check the information you find against the CRAAP Test, Te Whatu Aho Rau or SIFT to help you evaluate if it is authoritative and accurate. Be prepared to explain in your assignment or to your kaiako how you know the information from your AI source provides credible evidence.
Large Language Models (LLM) like Chat GPT work like predictive text on your phone. They provide answers based on data patterns and use predictions to fill any gaps. They are not designed as search tools. Their function is to generate and create.
Because of the way they work, they will often create information, as in make it up. These are called 'hallucinations" and can include entire sources and references. As said previously, always check the information you find against the CRAAP Test, Te Whatu Aho Rau or SIFT to help you evaluate if it is authoritative and accurate.
Some tools may be trained on data that is licensed or copyrighted. While there is no clear legislation around generative AI training data yet, good academic practice would be to check how the model you are using is trained.
You also cannot rely on generative AI producing original work. It can produce work that is copied and is therefore plagiarized.
For more information about the potential harms of generative AI, see this post from the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.
Our recommendation: AI Chat (duckduckgo.com). This anonymises your chats, so that your private information is kept private and it doesn't use data for training.
Images provided with permission from Wintec [Academic Integrity website].
There are many generative AI tools known as Large Language Models or LLMs. They include the three LLMs below:
ChatGPT
Hayls World (2023, Apr 1). 10 ChatGPT life hacks. [You tube, 11 mins].
Google Gemini
Howfinity (2024, Apri 6). How to use Google Gemini. [You Tube, 17 mins].
Microsoft Copilot
Howfinity (2024, May 6). How to use Microsoft Copilot. [You tube, 16 mins].