As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes an everyday tool for students and educators alike, the A.D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre is leading the conversation on its responsible use. Our latest research paper, “The Legal and Moral Boundaries of Using Artificial Intelligence in the University Environment,” authored by Sona Alaverdyan, examines how we can embrace technology without sacrificing academic integrity.
From ChatGPT to Grammarly, AI tools are transforming how research is conducted and how texts are written. However, this rapid integration brings forth complex questions that the Sakharov Centre believes must be addressed through a human rights and ethical lens.
Our analysis identifies three primary challenges for the Armenian higher education system:
- Academic Integrity & Plagiarism: How do we distinguish between “AI-assisted” work and “AI-generated” work? The risk of decreased independent thinking is a growing concern for modern pedagogy.
- Intellectual Property: Who owns the rights to a research paper co-authored by an AI? Current legal frameworks are struggling to keep pace with generative technologies.
- Data Privacy: The use of AI tools often requires the input of personal or sensitive research data, raising significant concerns about how this information is stored and used by private tech companies.
To ensure that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a shortcut for ethics, the Sakharov Centre proposes:
- Clear Institutional Guidelines: Every university in Armenia should adopt a specific “AI Use Policy” that defines what is acceptable for students and staff.
- Digital Ethics Training: Integrating modules on AI ethics into the curriculum to teach students how to use these tools critically and transparently.
- Modernizing Assessment: Moving away from standard essays that AI can easily replicate and toward more interactive, oral, or practical examinations.
Read the Full AI Ethics Research (Armenian)