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AI Use Decision Tree

A practical sequence for deciding whether generative AI belongs in a task, what role it should play, and what responsibilities remain human.

Tip: this page is print-friendly for workshops, handouts, or course modules.

Question 1

Is AI use permitted for this task?

Check the assignment, syllabus, instructor guidance, institutional policy, professional rules, or research protocol before opening the tool.

Yes or not restrictedContinue to Question 2.
No or explicitly prohibitedDo not use AI for this task. Use another method.

Question 2

Would AI support the learning goal, or bypass it?

Ask what you are actually supposed to learn or demonstrate. If AI performs the thinking that the task is designed to assess, it may undermine the purpose of the assignment.

Supports the goalContinue to Question 3.
Bypasses the goalLimit or avoid AI use.

Question 3

Does the task involve sensitive, private, proprietary, or protected information?

Consider student data, health information, unpublished research, workplace records, client information, copyrighted material, or anything you do not have permission to upload.

YesUse an approved system or remove the sensitive material. If neither is possible, do not use AI.
NoContinue to Question 4.

Question 4

Can you independently evaluate the output?

AI can sound convincing while being wrong. If you lack the subject knowledge, source access, or time needed to check the output, delegating the task may create more risk than value.

YesContinue to Question 5.
NoUse AI only for low-stakes brainstorming, or choose another approach.

Question 5

What role should AI play?

Brainstorming

Generating possibilities, questions, keywords, or alternatives.

Explaining

Offering a starting explanation that you will verify elsewhere.

Revising

Helping reorganize or clarify work you have already created.

Research support

Helping identify search terms or possible directions, never replacing source verification.

If the role becomes “produce the answer for me,” return to Question 2.

Question 6

Can you explain and disclose what AI contributed?

You should be able to describe what the tool did, what you changed, what you verified, and what decisions remained yours.

YesContinue, verify, and disclose appropriately.
NoReduce the role of AI until you can account for the work.

Use AI with verification

The task permits AI, it supports the learning goal, the data are appropriate to share, you can evaluate the output, and you can explain its role.

Use AI with limits

AI may be useful for brainstorming, explanation, or revision, but not for the central thinking, evidence, or final judgment.

Choose another approach

Do not use AI when it is prohibited, exposes protected information, replaces the learning goal, or produces work you cannot independently evaluate.