Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Teaching and Studies Adopted
Freiburg, 29/05/2026
The use of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in teaching and studies offers many opportunities, but also presents challenges. To help faculty and students navigate the use of AI, the University of Freiburg Senate adopted guidelines on the use of generative AI in teaching and studies in May 2026.
Adopted by the Senate of the University of Freiburg: Policy guidelines for the use of generative AI in teaching and learning. Photo: Heinrichs/Schiller/Kleinert, created with ChatGPT
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is increasingly becoming an integral part of science, business, and society. Universities have a special responsibility to involve students in this transformation by fostering scientifically grounded and ethically reflective competencies in the use of generative AI.
The University regards the provision of up-to-date AI systems as part of its responsibility for contemporary university teaching. It ensures that teachers and students have access to a broad range of current AI tools that comply with data protection regulations. Its policy on the use of generative AI in learning and teaching sets out a framework for integrating generative AI technologies into degree programs and courses, as well as for the use of AI in assessment contexts.
The policy on the use of generative AI in learning and teaching pursues three central goals:
- Fostering AI competencies: Students should develop the skills needed to use generative AI systems in a critical and reflective way, to understand how these systems work, and to analyse their societal implications.
- Supporting teaching and learning: Teachers and students should be able to use generative AI as a pedagogical support tool, for example to promote individualised learning, tailored feedback, and the acquisition of knowledge.
- Safeguarding assessment integrity: In assessment contexts, the fair, verifiable, and individual assessment of performance must be ensured. Teachers may provide for the use of generative AI in assessment scenarios, provided that this is linked to the development of generative AI competencies or that such use is relevant to the subject area and academic practice.
The policy includes recommendations for teachers, students, and staff involved in teaching and learning at the University of Freiburg. It applies to courses, modules, coursework and exams, theses, and other study-related work in bachelor’s, master’s, and state examination programs.