These FAQs explain what the University's Generative AI Principles mean for academic colleagues, professional services colleagues and researchers.
What are the University's Generative AI Principles?
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.
Who do the principles apply to?
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.
Are the principles mandatory or advisory?
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.
Can I still use the generative AI tools I was already using?
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, contact the LIDE team at genai@westminster.ac.uk.
Can I enter student, staff or University information into generative AI tools?
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 requirements for data protection, information security, and confidentiality.
If you are unsure whether a particular tool or use case is appropriate, contact the LIDE team at genai@westminster.ac.uk.
How do the principles apply to professional services colleagues?
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.
What do the principles say about using generative AI in teaching?
The principles ask colleagues to make an explicit judgement, ideally agreed at 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, rather than 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.
What do the principles say about generative AI and academic integrity?
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 course team level.
What do the principles say about using AI in research?
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.
External requirements from funding bodies, journals, and professional associations are evolving rapidly, so colleagues are also advised to check the specific expectations of those bodies.
How should I communicate the principles to my students?
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.
View the student quick-reference guide .
LIDE has also created a short slide deck that academic colleagues may use to brief students.
Will the principles be updated as AI develops?
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.
Where can I find practical guidance on using AI tools responsibly?
The LIDE team is publishing practical guidance covering specific tools, use cases, and common questions. Look out for future email announcements or Blackboard notices.
Training workshops and drop-in clinics are also available from September 2026. You can email blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk for further details and to request small-group support sessions or one-to-one meetings.