Divergence in Departmental Artificial Intelligence Rules for Senior Theses at Harvard

Only 18 out of the 50 concentrations within Harvard College have department-wide restrictions regarding the use of artificial intelligence in senior theses. While there is no university-wide common rule, departmental policies range widely from complete bans to flexible approaches left to the discretion of advisers.

Differences in Departmental Policies

In a large portion of Harvard College concentrations, binding rules at the departmental level regarding the use of artificial intelligence are not yet in place. The current situation requires each academic discipline to make decisions based on its own professional standards.

Prohibition and Permission Practices

According to reviews, six concentrations do not permit artificial intelligence at any stage of the thesis process. Meanwhile, ten concentrations approve the use of this technology in areas such as data analysis and research, excluding writing.

Decisions Left to Advisers

Seventeen concentrations choose to leave the issue of artificial intelligence use entirely to the joint decision of students and their advisers. Leaders of fourteen concentrations state that they are still developing new policies on this matter.

Administration and Disciplinary Divergences

Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh states that each discipline should determine policies that reflect appropriate professional usage in its own field. Decisions for total bans are observed to be concentrated particularly in the Humanities and Social Sciences departments.