9.7: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Academic Integrity
Figure 9.7 Artificial Intelligence
The ethical use of Artificial Intelligence or AI in nursing education involves ensuring transparency, accountability, and equity in the implementation of AI technologies. It is essential to prioritize patient safety, privacy, and data security while promoting the development of AI tools that enhance learning outcomes for nursing students. Collaborating with stakeholders to establish clear guidelines and ethical frameworks can help navigate the complexities of integrating AI in nursing education responsibly.
There are many situations within the nursing profession where AI has proven to benefit the patient, promote safety and result in better patient outcomes. An early example of AI within the medical profession is a warning alert for a blood pressure or heart rate that is out of the expected range. Machine learning or AI can be found all throughout the practice of nursing, from scheduling programs, to patient care, electronic documentation and even within surgery as an a example.
The American Nurses Association published a position on use of AI in nursing:
Statement of ANA Position
Nursing values and ethics, described in the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, place caring and compassion as central elements in the nurse-patient relationship. ANA believes the appropriate use of AI in nursing practice supports and enhances the core values and ethical obligations of the profession. AI that appears to impede or diminish these core values and obligations must be avoided or incorporated only in such way that these values and obligations are protected. Nurses must ensure that advanced technologies do not compromise the nature of human interactions and relationships central to the nursing profession. It is crucial that nurses anticipate and evaluate the impact of AI on health care through a proactive approach that emphasizes agency, caring, and influence over how technology is developed and applied (Archibald & Barnard, 2018). Nurses must be informed about AI so they can provide appropriate education to patients and families to dispel myths and alleviate fears and thereby support the use of AI for optimal health outcomes
AI and the Student Research Assignment
In the evolving landscape of nursing education, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has become increasingly prevalent, offering novel approaches to completing assignments and conducting research. Understanding the appropriate use of AI tools is crucial to maintain academic integrity and ethical standards in academic pursuits. When utilizing AI, students must be aware of the benefits, pitfalls, and ethical considerations of incorporating AI in nursing school assignments and research endeavors. AI technologies offer numerous advantages in nursing research, including enhanced data analysis, rapid literature reviews, and automated citation management. AI tools can streamline research processes, facilitate evidence-based practice, and contribute to more efficient and accurate research outcomes. By leveraging AI for data processing and analysis, nursing students can gain valuable insights and enhance the quality of their research projects. Despite its benefits, the use of AI in nursing research presents challenges that must be addressed. Common pitfalls include the potential for bias in AI algorithms, limitations in contextual understanding, and risks related to data privacy and security. You must exercise caution when utilizing AI tools to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and ethical integrity of the research findings. You will need to check the references used in your AI search and ensure that the research and data presented in an AI search is accurate and in context. While it is tempting to use AI as a substitute for good research, you need to remember that AI is just another tool in your toolbox for research. You will need to use the thinking skills we learned about earlier in this chapter.
Maintaining academic integrity when using AI for assignments is essential for upholding ethical standards in nursing education. It is crucial for students to understand the responsible and ethical use of AI tools, which includes proper citation practices, critical thinking, and independent analysis. Using AI as a supporting tool rather than a replacement for critical thought and originality fosters academic rigor and intellectual growth. Intellectual growth, as the ultimate goal of research, should not be overshadowed by the process of achieving that growth.
Academic integrity encompasses a set of ethical principles and values that guide honest, responsible, and ethical behavior in academic settings. It involves upholding honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for intellectual property while engaging in educational activities such as studying, research, writing papers, and taking exams. Academic integrity is essential in maintaining the credibility and reliability of academic work, promoting a culture of learning, and fostering intellectual growth and development. AI can be used effectively while maintaining academic integrity. Students must be aware to cite sources, give credit to the original author, demonstrate integrity in writing exams, adhering to ethical research practices ensuring originality in submitted work. Colleges and universities are beginning to allow the use of AI but it's use falls under academic integrity. Just because AI is not a person doesn't mean that you don't have to cite your source!
Activity: AI and Health Careers Education
AI and Health Careers Education
Critical thinking in nursing is the ability to observe, process, and analyze information to draw an evidence-supported conclusion. Critical thinking in nursing involves observation, critical analysis, inference, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization. This process enables nurses to support favorable patient outcomes. How do you think the use of AI for the learning process will affect critical thinking in nursing?
Read this post(opens in new window) from the Xavier University on the importance of Critical Thinking in Nursing.
A recent post on LinkedIn comments on the relationship between AI and Critical thinking:
Studies also suggest that excessive dependence on AI can result in cognitive complacency(opens in new window) , reducing our inclination to question information and think independently. A recent article, The Effectives of Over-reliance on AI Dialogue Systems on Students' Cognitive Abilities: A Systematic Review , suggests that the over-reliance of students on AI reduces cognitive abilities including critical thinking, analytical thinking and decision-making.
**Portions of this page were formulated using AI and googles "co-pilot" feature as a template and starting point for content