Academia Institute of Technology has adopted comprehensive Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence for the 2026/27 academic year, which establish rules for responsible, transparent and critical use of AI in studies, knowledge assessment, practical training in companies, diploma thesis work, and the work of lecturers and professional services. The guidelines come into effect on 1 October 2026.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an integral part of almost all professions. At Academia, we therefore proceed from the principle that its use in education must not be simply prohibited. We must teach students how to use it effectively, critically, safely and responsibly.
AI competence is part of professional competence, not a shortcut to it.
The guidelines are based on eight principles, including human responsibility for the final result, preparing students for the labour market, transparency in the use of AI, academic integrity, data protection, fair access to technology, and critical verification of results produced by artificial intelligence.
From prohibition to AI as a subject of learning
One of the key innovations is the introduction of four levels of permitted use of artificial intelligence. The lecturer determines in advance for each module or assessed task what use of AI is permitted:
0 – No AI: the student must demonstrate knowledge and skills independently, for example in an examination, practical test or defence.
1 – AI as an assistant: AI may be used for learning, explaining concepts, language review, translating one's own text and initial orientation on a topic.
2 – AI as a collaborator: assistance is permitted in preparing ideas, drafts, code, images, video, analyses and other content, but the student must critically verify and revise the results and properly cite the use of AI.
3 – AI as a subject of learning: the use of artificial intelligence is part of the learning outcome itself and the assessment. The student must be able to select the appropriate tool, formulate prompts, evaluate results, improve them and reflect on the work process.
This approach enables differentiation between knowledge that the student must necessarily master independently and situations where the use of AI is appropriate, as it reflects the way of working in modern companies.
The student must also be able to defend their work
The guidelines further reinforce the importance of practical knowledge and defence of products. At Academia, assessment typically consists of a product or service and a defence, in which the student must explain their professional decisions, work process, use of artificial intelligence and personal contribution.
The lecturer may only assess that part of the product which the student understands and can explain. Thus, the use of AI does not diminish the importance of knowledge, but rather emphasises the ability for critical judgement, understanding and professional argumentation.
Special rules for work placement and diploma thesis
Since approximately 40% of the short-cycle degree programme consists of practical training in companies, the guidelines also specifically regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In a company, the company's rules apply, and the student must pay particular attention to business secrets, personal data and other confidential information.
In the diploma thesis, artificial intelligence may be a collaborator, but it cannot replace the student's professional thinking. The student may use AI in searching for possible directions, preparing structure, drafts, code, analyses or language editing, but must formulate and be able to defend key professional decisions, solutions and conclusions independently. The use of AI must also be transparently cited.
Access to secure and approved AI tools
Academia does not only set rules for students and staff, but also provides access to technology. Approved solutions include Google Gemini within Google Workspace for Education, the proprietary AcademIQ AI Tutor and Adobe Creative Cloud AI tools.
Special emphasis is placed on data protection. Personal data, grades, contracts, business secrets of companies and other protected information must not be entered into publicly accessible AI tools.
Artificial intelligence should strengthen knowledge, not replace humans
The fundamental premise of the new guidelines is simple: responsibility remains with the human. Artificial intelligence can help with learning, creating, analysing and working, but it must not independently make decisions about students, determine grades or replace the professional judgement of a lecturer, mentor or employee.
With the guidelines, Academia aims to prepare students for a work environment in which the ability to use artificial intelligence thoughtfully will be an increasingly important professional competence, whilst maintaining the fundamental principles of education: knowledge, responsibility, integrity and practical competence.
The guidelines come into use from 1 October 2026 and will be reviewed and supplemented as a living document at least once a year.
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Source: Academia (30. 9. 2026). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
