Computer Science AI Policy Tier System

Purpose of this document: To provide a unified system and increase clarity about what AI usages are allowed or disallowed across all Pomona Computer Science classes. This is a program we are piloting in Fall 2026; we plan to revisit it regularly.

Because these technologies are advancing so rapidly, the document focuses on general usage rather than specific tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Grammarly, etc.).

Acknowledgments: We have been inspired by HMC’s AI-Use Course Policy.

Usage guide: This document outlines the four tiers of allowed use that a course can fall under, from least to most permissive:

0. Absolutely no usage allowed
1. See the syllabus for allowed usage
2. Use in any way with required attribution
3. Completely open use

If a student uses AI in a way that does not align with the tier system for a specific course, it is considered a violation of our Departmental Academic Honor Policy.

Tier 0: Absolutely no usage allowed

Courses in this tier do not allow the use of any AI. Disallowed uses include, but are not limited to, using generative AI tools to brainstorm ideas, find source materials, summarize ideas, create study guides, generate code snippets, images, or videos, revise your writing, or check your work. Tools that automatically flag spelling and grammatical errors as you write are allowed (for example, the spelling and grammar checkers built into Microsoft Word), but not tools that offer suggested revisions of your sentences (for example, Grammarly). If English is not your first language, please ask your instructor about whether tools for translating words or texts between languages are allowed.

Tier 1: See syllabus for allowed usage

The goal of this policy is to allow some flexibility for instructors who primarily want to curb AI use but may make exceptions tailored to their course's learning objectives. For example, a course following this tier might allow the use of AI for study purposes (e.g., to ask clarifying questions, obtain additional examples, create study guides, etc.) but prohibit its use during the completion of assignments and exams. Rather than provide an exhaustive list, students must read the course syllabus carefully and discuss allowed uses with their instructor.

Tier 2: Use in any way with required attribution

The goal of this policy is to openly allow students to use generative AI tools in their learning. If generative AI tools play a significant role in the genesis of your work, they should be credited in the same way that you would share authorship with a collaborating lab partner in a publication. The course syllabus will contain more information on expectations and attribution formatting.

Tier 3: Completely open use

Students can freely use generative AI tools and do not need to credit their use. Specifically and only for classes in Tier 3, text and images generated by a student using an AI system are treated as the student's own work for the purposes of the College Academic Honesty Policy.