Database Systems

AI Assistance

In our teaching activities, we recognise that modern software and writing workflows often include AI-assisted tools. These tools can support research, implementation and documentation, but they do not replace the need for personal understanding and academic integrity.

General principles

  • AI assistance is not generally discouraged. Students may use AI-assisted tools for projects, code development, debugging, or idea exploration.
  • Use these tools as support, not as a substitute for learning. You are responsible for the correctness, quality and explanations of your work.
  • Treat AI-generated material as a contribution that must be clearly documented and justified.

Projects

  • In project work, AI assistance is allowed. You may use tools that help with code completion, refactoring, documentation, or design suggestions.
  • You must still be able to explain every part of your project as if you had written it yourself.
  • If you rely on generated code, algorithms, or text, clearly identify which parts were produced with AI assistance.
  • Document the tools you used and the way they influenced your work.

Seminars

  • For seminar contributions, please consult with your supervisor first before using AI-assisted tools.
  • Supervisors may have specific rules for each seminar, and they can advise on the appropriate scope of assistance.
  • Even when AI assistance is allowed, you must remain the primary author and be able to explain the details of your submitted work.

Transparency and good practice

  • Clearly highlight any AI-generated or AI-assisted content in your reports, code, slides or presentations.
  • If in doubt, it is always better to consult with your supervisor first.
  • Keep a short record of the tools used and the parts of the work that were affected.
  • Do not use AI tools to hide authorship or to avoid understanding the material.

Academic responsibility

  • The use of AI assistance does not change the requirement for academic honesty.
  • You remain accountable for your results, including correctness, citations, and adherence to the course rules.
  • When in doubt about whether a particular use of AI is permitted, ask your supervisor before continuing.

Further reading (German)