Frequently Asked Questions: Generative AI for Colleagues

The principles are a set of institution-wide statements that define how the University expects colleagues and students to approach, use, and critically evaluate generative AI in their academic and professional work. They have been approved by the University Executive Board and apply across all colleges, schools and professional services areas.

See this web page for further details.

The full principles document is available via this link .

The principles apply to all colleagues and students of the University, including academic colleagues, professional services colleagues, researchers, and students at all levels of study.

The principles set out institutional expectations and provide a framework for judgement. They are not a list of rules, but they do carry institutional weight. Specific policies, such as assessment regulations and academic integrity policies, sit alongside the principles and remain in force.

In most cases, yes, provided your use is consistent with the principles. The principles are not designed to prohibit the use of Generative AI but to ensure that use is thoughtful, transparent, and aligned with the University's values. If you are unsure whether a particular tool or use case is appropriate, speak to the LIDE team by email to genai@westminster.ac.uk.

Only if you are using a University-approved generative AI tool designated as safe and secure enough. Confidential student, staff, HR or commercially sensitive information must not be entered into unapproved generative AI tools. All use of generative AI must comply with the University's AI Policy and with the requirements for data protection, information security, and confidentiality. If you are unsure whether a particular tool or use case is appropriate, speak to the LIDE team by email at genai@westminster.ac.uk.

The principles apply to all University activities, not only teaching and research. Colleagues using generative AI to support administrative, operational or professional services work should ensure that its use serves a genuine purpose, involves critical engagement, remains transparent where appropriate, and complies with University policies. Colleagues remain responsible for any advice, decisions or communications supported by generative AI. If you are unsure whether a particular tool or use case is appropriate, speak to the LIDE team by email at genai@westminster.ac.uk.

The principles ask colleagues to make an explicit judgement, ideally agreed at the course team level rather than module by module, about whether the use of generative AI in a given teaching or assessment context develops students' capabilities or substitutes for them. Colleagues are responsible for communicating that judgement clearly to students at the point of setting the task, not leaving students to work it out for themselves. In all cases, colleagues remain fully accountable for any generative AI-assisted content used in their teaching.

The principles require all members of the University community to be open about when and how generative AI has contributed to their work. For students, concealing substantive involvement of generative AI in assessed work constitutes misrepresentation. Colleagues are expected to be clear with students about what generative AI use is and is not permitted for each assessment, and to set those expectations consistently, ideally at the course team level, so that students do not receive different rules from module to module.

The principles apply in full to research activity. Colleagues are expected to be transparent about generative AI's contribution to any output, including publications, grant applications, and data analysis, and to remain fully accountable for the accuracy and integrity of their work, regardless of generative AI's involvement. Given that external requirements from funding bodies, journals, and professional associations are evolving rapidly in this area, colleagues are advised to check the specific expectations of those bodies as well.

You are not expected to deliver a lecture on the principles, but you should be aware of what they say and be able to answer basic student questions.

The LIDE team has created a briefing note to assist students with this.

In addition, LIDE has created a short slide deck that academic colleagues may use to brief students. These slides can be downloaded here .

Yes. The principles are designed to provide a stable foundation, but the University recognises that the AI landscape is changing rapidly. They will be reviewed periodically. Colleagues will be notified of any significant changes through a variety of communication channels.

The LIDE team is publishing practical guidance covering specific tools, use cases, and common questions. Look out for future email announcements or pop-up notices in Blackboard about these. Training workshops and drop-in clinics are also available from September 2026. Again, look out for further details of these via email, Blackboard pop-up notices and intranet news. You can also email blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk for further details on what is available and when, and to request small-group support sessions or one-to-one meetings.