Background
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a machine learning technology capable of generating output based on user prompts or other sources. Generative AI has the potential to become an important tool in healthcare; however, its use is accompanied by risks, including data privacy concerns, bias, information inaccuracy, and the inability to replace clinical judgment. In academic settings, generative AI may enhance student pharmacists’ learning but has the potential for misuse and violating academic integrity rules. This document establishes recommendations to guide the faculty and the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS) on the appropriate use of generative AI in both academic and clinical settings.
Guidelines statement
In academic settings, the course chair(s) will designate a generative AI guideline for their course assessments (e.g., exams, quizzes), assignments (e.g., homework problems, problem sets, journal clubs), and any other course-related deliverables. The options for AI policy are No Use, Restricted, Documented, and Self Learning.
In clinical/experiential settings, faculty and students must adhere to the latest guidelines on generative AI use set forth by the University of California San Diego Health (UCSDH) when practicing within UCSDH facilities. Faculty and students practicing outside of UCSDH are responsible for staying informed about and adhering to the guidelines for using approved generative AI tools at their practice sites.
In academic settings
Procedure
- All course syllabi must address the use of generative AI for completing the course deliverables (e.g., assessments, assignments, tasks) and learning the course material.
- The course chair(s) will determine the permitted use of generative AI when completing the course deliverables. The options are “No Use”, “Restricted”, and “Documented”. The course chair(s) will also determine if the use of generative AI is permitted for “SelfLearning”.
- Courses within the same series are encouraged to adopt a shared generative AI policy to promote consistency and clarity for students.
- The description of the use options must be clearly defined in the Academic Integrity section of the syllabus as described in this policy.
- If the use of generative AI is permitted, the course chair(s) are encouraged to create course deliverables that emphasize challenging the students’ critical thinking and analytical reasoning.
- At the beginning of the quarter, the course chair(s) should communicate the generative AI policy to the students and address any related questions.
- If the course chair(s) decide to modify the course’s generative AI policy while a course is ongoing, changes must be communicated to the students and reflected in the course syllabus.
No Use
The use of generative AI is not permitted. All submitted work must be entirely the student’s original creation. The use of generative AI tools is strictly prohibited at any stage of completing the course deliverables (e.g., assessments, assignments, tasks). This includes, but is not limited to, researching the subject, generating or refining ideas, debugging code, and drafting or improving submitted content. The use of generative AI tools will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary actions as outlined by SSPPS and UCSD policies.
Restricted
The use of generative AI is restricted. Students are permitted to use generative AI only for specified course deliverables (e.g., assessments, assignments, tasks) described in the course syllabus and/or explicitly stated in their directions. The use of generative AI is subject to the discretion of the course chair(s), including which tools are permitted and how they may be used.
Students are required to include a supplemental section detailing any generative AI tools used, following the format below. This section must be submitted by the deliverable deadline.
- Tool name and version, date (YYYY, MM, DD). Prompts used.
Students are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide. The use of generative AI does not exempt students from the responsibility of citing references to support any decision making, facts stated, or claims made. Failing to follow these instructions will qualify as academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary actions outlined by SSPPS and UCSD policies.
Documented
The use of generative AI is unrestricted but requires documentation. Students are permitted to use generative AI only for specified course deliverables (e.g., assessments, assignments, tasks) described in the course syllabus and/or explicitly stated in their directions. The use of generative AI tools is unrestricted, and students may utilize them in any capacity they find useful.
Students are required to include a supplemental section detailing any generative AI tools used, following the format below. This section must be submitted by the deliverable deadline.
- Tool name and version, date (YYYY, MM, DD). Prompts used.
Students are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide. The use of generative AI does not exempt students from the responsibility of citing references to support any decision making, facts stated, or claims made. Failing to follow these instructions will qualify as academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary actions as outlined by SSPPS and UCSD policies.
Self-Learning
The use of generative AI for self-learning is unrestricted and does not require documentation. Students are permitted to use generative AI to enhance their learning of the class material. Acceptable uses include, but are not limited to, learning class concepts, summarizing lecture content, and generating practice questions to reinforce learning.
The course instructor(s) and chair(s) are not responsible for any inaccuracies made by generative AI tools. Students are responsible for the accuracy of all information included in their course deliverables.
In clinical/experiential settings
The use of generative AI tools in clinical or experiential settings is strictly regulated, and misuse can lead to serious consequences, including but not limited to violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and causing harm to patients. Generative AI is to be used as an assistive tool and should never be used as a substitute for clinical or professional judgment.
SSPPS faculty and students practicing at UCSDH are responsible for staying informed about and adhering to the guidelines for using approved generative AI tools at UCSDH. (https://pulse.ucsd.edu/departments/is/AI/approved/Pages/default.aspx).
SSPPS faculty and students practicing outside of UCSDH are responsible for staying informed about and adhering to the guidelines for using approved generative AI tools at their practice sites. Students are advised to ask preceptors and/or site coordinators about each site’s generative AI use policy during orientation to the practice site. In the absence of a generative AI use policy at the practice site, the use of such tools should be assumed to be prohibited.
Summary
| Category | Permission level | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| No Use | Not permitted for specified deliverables. | Not applicable |
| Restricted | Limited use for specified deliverables, and subject to the discretion of the course chair(s), including which tools are permitted and how they may be used. | Yes - Tool name/version, date, and prompts |
| Documented | Full use permitted for specified deliverables. | Yes - Tool name/version, date, and prompts |
| Self-Learning | Unrestricted for self-learning only for learning class material, summarizing lectures, and generating practice questions. | No |
Updated August 5, 2025