Use of artificial intelligence in a thesis

The basic principle of using AI in a thesis is that AI can support the work — but it cannot be the author.  

AI can be used at different stages of the thesis process. However, the purpose of the thesis is to develop the student’s thinking, academic-level expertise, and written expression. AI tools may assist in planning and refining the work, but the student is always fully responsible for their own learning, the content of the thesis, and ensuring that the work complies with good scientific practice.

If the thesis is part of a project, the work must also follow Metropolia’s guidelines for the use of AI in RDI activities. See also Metropolia's general guidelines for the use of AI in learning activities. 

AI can be a useful tool at various stages of the thesis process. For example:

1. Idea Generation and Developing Your Thinking

   You can engage in a dialogue with an AI tool to explore your thesis topic, formulate research questions, or plan the structure of your work.

2. Supporting Information Retrieval 

   AI tools can help you get started with information searching. For example you can discuss with AI about how to search for information or select keywords.

   Please note that AI-generated content itself cannot be used as a scientific or authoritative source in your thesis. However, such conversations may help you narrow your topic and begin your information search. Use scientific databases and tools like Keenious or Google Scholar to find peer-reviewed research articles and other reliable sources for your thesis.

    

3. Creating Visuals and Diagrams

   You may use AI tools to help design figures, charts, or concept maps.

4. Editing and Refining Your Own Text

   AI can support the editing of your writing by helping improve grammar, style, or clarity. However, AI tools must not replace your own work.

5. Translating the Abstract

   You may use AI to help translate your Finnish abstract into English, but always check the translation for accuracy and clarity.

6. Using AI-generated Text as Material

   In some cases, AI-generated content may be used as research material (data) in your thesis. In such cases, it must be cited appropriately with a direct reference.

The use of AI is prohibited in the maturity test.

In Bachelor's degree programmes, the maturity test demonstrates both subject knowledge and language proficiency.

In Master's degree programmes, the maturity test demonstrates subject knowledge.

General Guidelines

• Follow good scientific practice.
• The student is always responsible for the content of the thesis.
• Be open about your use of AI – do not present AI-generated content as your own writing.
• Cite all sources correctly; incomplete citation is considered misconduct.
• Verify the accuracy of AI-generated information using reliable sources.
• Respect data protection, copyright, and confidentiality obligations.
• Review the terms of use of the AI tool before using it.
• In RDI projects, also follow project-specific principles for AI use.
• See detailed guidelines on using AI in a thesis.

Review the Terms of Use of AI Tools

As a general rule, do not enter the following types of content into online AI tools or other services that store data:

• Personal data.
  • Note: Personal data includes any information that can identify a person either directly or indirectly. This may include names, email addresses, car registration numbers, voice recordings, location data, health information, and many other types of data.
    More information about personal data is available, for example, on the website of the Finnish Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman.
• Confidential, personal, or restricted material, including content protected by licences, contracts, or other agreements.
• Unpublished texts or materials created by others, without their explicit consent.
  This protects individuals' rights to their own work.
  • Sometimes, thesis work is later developed into scientific publications, funding applications, patent filings, or other outputs. In such cases, it is important to maintain the originality and confidentiality of the content until official publication.

For example, do not input co-authored text into an AI tool without the consent of all authors.
Likewise, do not submit another student's thesis (e.g. an opponent's work) to an AI tool without their permission.

Using AI in academic work is a relatively new practice, and the related guidelines are still evolving. Since AI can be used both as a tool during the process and for generating content, the way it should be cited depends on how it has been used. This guideline will be updated as needed, and more detailed degree-specific instructions may be provided.

Describing the Use of AI

Students must describe clearly and transparently how and at which stages they have used AI tools in their thesis.

This description should be added either after the abstract or as a separate appendix at the end of the thesis. If AI tools were used only to support the writing process (e.g., planning or editing), their use is comparable to other tools (such as Microsoft Word, Grammarly, or Google Scholar), and they are described in general terms do not need to be cited in the reference list.

After the description, the student should include a statement acknowledging full responsibility for the thesis content.
For example: “As the author of this thesis, I am responsible for all its content.”

Example: 
“I used version X.X of OpenAI's ChatGPT to support the planning and structuring of my thesis, including brainstorming the research design and developing headings. I also used the tool to refine the language and format citations. As the author of this thesis, I am responsible for all its content.”

Referencing AI Outputs in the Text and Reference List

AI tools cannot be cited as traditional sources of scientific knowledge. However, in some cases, AI-generated content may be used as material (data). In these cases, a general description is not enough — a precise in-text citation is also required.

This applies especially when:

• Direct quotes or images generated by AI are used
• AI-generated content is only slightly modified (e.g., the student edited the wording but not the content)

In such cases a corresponding entry is listed in the reference list under the heading “AI Tools Used”. The information provided of the tools used include:

• The tool name
• Version/year
• The exact prompt used

If the prompt was complex or included other materials, the use can be described in the main text or in a separate appendix.

Follow the degree programme’s referencing guidelines, but ensure that all AI-generated quotations can be clearly traced in both the text and the end of the thesis.

Important: AI-generated content must only be used as a subject of analysis, not as a source of factual information. All factual claims must be verified using reliable sources.

Example A:
Describe the tool and the prompt in the text, then add an in-text citation.

“In response to the prompt ‘How will human–technology interaction evolve in the near future, in the 2030s?’, ChatGPT-3.5 provided five key points.” (OpenAI, 2024)

Example B:
Include a full in-text citation showing the tool, year, prompt, and access date.

According to an AI-generated response, multiple developments can be expected in human–technology interaction
(ChatGPT-3.5, Version 5/2024: “How will human–technology interaction evolve in the near future, in the 2030s?”, chat.openai.com/chat)

Adding AI Tools to the Reference List

If AI tools were used to generate any part of the content, they must be listed at the end of the reference list under a separate heading, such as: AI Tools Used

The reference information for AI tools should include the developer and name of the tool, year, version, and link:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Version date/number) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

Microsoft Corporation. (2024). Microsoft Copilot [Software]. https://copilot.microsoft.com