AI Policy
Effective Date: August 27, 2026
Policy Number: MTU/AI/001
Review Period: Every two years, or as required
Introduction
Mountain Top University (“MTU”) recognizes the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance teaching, learning, research, innovation, and administrative efficiency. We are committed to ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly, ethically, transparently, securely, and in compliance with applicable laws and institutional regulations. This policy establishes the principles, responsibilities, and procedures governing the use of AI across all University facilities and information systems.
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to promote the responsible and beneficial use of AI across the University while protecting academic integrity, safeguarding personal data and intellectual property, encouraging digital competence, and ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and human oversight in teaching, research, assessment, and administration.
Scope of Application
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic, administrative, technical, and research staff, as well as visiting scholars, consultants, and contractors. It covers generative AI (text, image, audio, video, and code), predictive AI, automated decision-making tools, and other AI-assisted applications—whether provided by MTU or obtained independently.
Guiding Principles of AI Use
MTU adheres to fundamental principles ensuring that all AI use within the University is guided by:
- Academic Integrity: AI must not be used to misrepresent another person’s work or AI-generated content as one’s own where such use is prohibited or requires disclosure.
- Transparency: Users must disclose AI assistance where required by a lecturer, supervisor, journal, research protocol, or University rules.
- Human Accountability: Individuals remain fully responsible for the work, decisions, and submissions produced with AI assistance.
- Privacy & Data Protection: Personal, confidential, sensitive, or restricted information must not be entered into unapproved AI systems without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
- Fairness & Accuracy: AI systems must be assessed for bias, and outputs must be independently verified for factual errors, fabricated references, and misleading claims.
- Security & Accessibility: AI adoption must protect University networks and research assets while supporting equitable access and reasonable accommodations for users with diverse needs.
Assessment & AI-Use Classifications
Lecturers and departments clearly communicate how AI may be used for each assessment based on the following four categories:
| Classification | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Category A: Prohibited | AI use is not permitted for the specified task. | Closed-book examinations and assessments of unaided competence. |
| Category B: Limited | Only specified AI functions are permitted. | Proofreading, grammar correction, or approved coding assistance. |
| Category C: Permitted with Disclosure | AI may be used within stated limits and must be acknowledged. | AI-assisted research planning or drafting. |
| Category D: AI-Integrated | AI use is an explicit learning objective. | Evaluating AI outputs, prompt testing, or auditing AI-generated results. |
Note: AI detection software is not treated as conclusive proof of misconduct. Any allegation is assessed fairly using appropriate evidence and established University disciplinary procedures.
Acceptable vs. Prohibited Uses
Acceptable Uses (Where Permitted)
- Learning & Brainstorming: Explaining concepts, supporting independent learning, and organizing ideas.
- Editing & Coding: Language improvement, proofreading, coding assistance, and debugging.
- Research & Teaching: Developing teaching materials, literature exploration, and data analysis (provided sources and findings are independently verified).
- Administration & Accessibility: Administrative drafting, workflow support, transcription, translation, and assistive technologies.
Prohibited Uses
- Academic Misconduct: Cheating, impersonation, falsification of academic work, or using AI during unauthorized examinations.
- Research Fabrication: Fabricating research data, results, references, citations, or participant responses.
- Data Breaches: Uploading student records, examination materials, staff personnel records, passwords, or unpublished research into unauthorized AI tools.
- Malicious & Unlawful Activity: Developing malicious software, facilitating cyberattacks, harassing or discriminating against others, or making unauthorized consequential decisions about individuals solely using AI.
Privacy, Risk Management & Approved Tools
All AI use must comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and University information security policies. Before deploying high-impact AI systems—especially those affecting admissions, grading, recruitment, or sensitive data—departments must undergo a formal AI Risk Assessment Procedure. The ICT Directorate maintains an Approved AI Tools Register to evaluate and authorize platforms based on data protection, security, intellectual property, and reliability.
Governance & Responsibilities
AI governance is a shared institutional responsibility at MTU:
- Governing Council / Senate: Approves the policy and provides overall institutional oversight.
- University Management: Provides resources, ensures implementation, and prevents the deployment of systems with unacceptable risks.
- ICT Directorate: Evaluates and maintains the Approved AI Tools Register, manages technical security, and oversees risk screening.
- Academic Departments, Lecturers & Supervisors: Establish assessment-specific AI rules, guide students on acceptable boundaries, and uphold academic and research integrity.
- Research Ethics Committee & Data Protection Officer (DPO): Review ethical risks in research involving human participants and advise on privacy and data protection obligations.
- Students & Staff: Comply with this policy, verify AI outputs, protect confidential information, and complete the AI Disclosure Statement when required.
Responsible Offices & Full Policy Document
Responsible Offices: ICT Directorate / Academic Planning Unit
Data Protection Officer (DPO): [email protected]
Full Policy Document
To read the complete policy—including the Student Guidelines (Appendix A), Lecturer & Researcher Guidelines (Appendix B), Approved AI Tools Register (Appendix C), AI Disclosure Statement Form (Appendix D), and AI Risk Assessment Procedure (Appendix E)—please View the Full MTU AI Policy Document (PDF).