AI Use by ACAHM-Accredited Institutions and Programs
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into higher education, ACAHM-accredited schools and programs are encouraged to provide students, faculty, and staff with clear, consistent guidelines for its use. Establishing thoughtful institutional policies supports both academic integrity and responsible innovation.
Why AI Literacy Matters
AI tools can enhance learning analytics, improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and broaden access to higher education. Employers now expect early-career professionals to demonstrate AI literacy, with candidates possessing AI experience often receiving more interviews and higher salaries. Read more about workforce AI trends.
Establishing Guardrails: Key Policy Elements
Institutions can take an AI-forward approach by defining how and when AI technologies may be used in teaching, research, and administration.
Provide clear guidance for both staff and students on the appropriate use of AI tools in coursework, research, learning, and teaching.
Educate students about AI’s capabilities and limitations, particularly for those new to the technology or for whom English is not a first language.
Specify when AI use is allowed, require citation of AI-generated content, and emphasize data privacy and protection.
Reinforce academic integrity by clarifying that unauthorized use of generative AI on exams or assignments constitutes academic misconduct unless explicitly permitted.
Define acceptable use of AI assistants such as automated “note takers” in meetings or online learning environments.
Train faculty on the responsible use of AI detection tools, noting that these tools should not solely determine disciplinary outcomes.
Consider offering students access to AI-detection tools to help them identify and address AI-generated text within their own work.
Encourage students to ask faculty for clarification on AI policies when unsure.
Current Trends and Future Directions
According to the 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study, fewer than 40% of higher education institutions currently have formal AI acceptable use policies, signaling both an urgent need and an opportunity for policy innovation.
Globally, institutions are integrating AI literacy into curricula, aiming to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce while maintaining transparency, inclusiveness, and ethical standards. Effective policies should evolve as AI technologies advance, balancing innovation with privacy and academic integrity. (See EU AI Act and prohibited AI uses for international context.)
Resources and References