New Guidance for Using Generative AI

The University of Essex has published the latest version of its guidance, the Traffic Light System, to help students understand how Generative AI can be used when completing assignments.

Common Generative AI Tools

• ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini: For writing, explaining, and summarising text.

• Midjourney and DALL·E: For creating images from descriptions.

• Cursor, Gemini Code Assist, GitHub Copilot, and Replit: For helping to write

  and debug computer code.

• Grammarly: For rewriting, brainstorming, drafting, refining ideas, and improving

  clarity (this does not include simply checking spelling).

New: Traffic Light System for Using Generative AI

To provide clear guidance and help students better understand how restricted the use of Generative AI is for each assignment, the University has introduced the Traffic Light System. This system will gradually be applied from the Spring Term 2026. If it has not yet been applied to your module, please double-check with your lecturer regarding the rules for using Generative AI.

• Level 1 (Red): Human-Only Mode

           No AI use is allowed for these assessments.

           What it means: You are not permitted to use any Generative AI tools.

• Level 2 (Amber): AI as Your Brainstorming Partner

           AI can assist with planning, structuring, and generating ideas, but not with writing.

           What it means: Generative AI may be used for tasks such as brainstorming essay topics, creating a basic outline, or exploring different arguments. You must be transparent about how you have used AI.

           The crucial point: The final work you submit must be entirely your own writing. The words, sentences, and arguments must come from you, not from an AI.

• Level 3 (Green): AI as Your Co-Collaborator

            AI use is permitted, but it is not a free pass to let the AI do the work for you. The focus is on ethical, responsible, and critical use of AI.

            What it means: You must actively guide the AI, fact-check its outputs, and critically evaluate its suggestions. You will also need to reflect on how you used the tool and acknowledge it appropriately.

            Think of it as: A project where you are the manager, and the AI is your assistant. You are always responsible for the quality and integrity of the final product.

Where can you find information about which scale you’re allowed to use for a given assignment?

You can find information in your assignment briefs or assignment guidance about which colour of light each assignment is given. If you cannot find this information, it may be the case that the specific module has not started using the system yet. In that situation, you will need to check with the lecturer for that module to see if there are any rules regarding the use of AI.

Acknowledging AI in your work

It is good practice to maintain transparency in your work. If your assignments are given an Amber or Green light, you are encouraged to include a statement in your assignment’s introduction explaining how you used AI. You will not be punished or marked down for doing so, as long as your usage aligns with what is permitted. You may make a statement like:

"I used Google's Gemini (September 2025 version) to help brainstorm initial

themes for this essay and to proofread my final draft for grammatical errors. All

written content and analysis are my own."

Finally

Generative AI can help with processing information, but it does not truly understand the concepts you are asking about. As a result, its outputs are not always accurate. It is therefore our responsibility to fact-check, think critically, and ensure that all submitted work reflects our own understanding and ideas.

If you would like to explore further details on the use of Generative AI, please visit the “Academic Use of AI” tab on your Moodle page (this may appear on the second page).