ELTE has regulated the use of artificial intelligence in education
The conscious and careful application of artificial intelligence can support the professional development of students, can open up new learning methods, and can increase the efficiency of their work, thereby giving them a competitive advantage on the labour market. However, irresponsible and uncritical use also carries serious dangers, as it may excessively simplify the learning process, may damage the ability for analytical thinking, and may place an obstacle in the way of the in-depth, real understanding of the study material.
The Student AI Code, which entered into force at university level at the end of October, accordingly allows the use of AI tools for every university student, but also stipulates that these may only play a supplementary, supporting role in learning and in student work and may not replace human creativity, decision-making, and critical thinking. Students may not suffer any disadvantage for using AI lawfully and in a manner supported by the Code; at the same time, strict consequences apply to those who violate the ethical and regulatory frameworks.
The introduction of the regulation was prepared by an ad hoc codification committee consisting of ELTE faculty and student representative (EHÖK) delegates, and the work was coordinated by the rector’s commissioner responsible for the implementation of ELTE’s artificial intelligence flagship programme. Accordingly, the Code synthesized the best practices that had already crystallized at the faculties and also integrated the international approaches found at the region’s leading universities. By regulating the use of AI in education, ELTE has created a complex regulation that also takes international excellence and research-university standards into account, which supports its excellent students’ university studies and preparation for the labour market.
Supported AI use
The instruction supports the responsible use of AI tools from preparation for the first class through the completion of project assignments up to the submission of the thesis, that is, throughout the entire student life path. It can, for example, help with the processing of the literature, during topic search and project initiation, and may also support overcoming writer’s block, language editing, and can give ideas for visualization as well.
Ethical principles and obligations
The Code establishes an ethical framework based on three cornerstones. In the spirit of transparency and academic integrity, students are—in the form determined by the given faculty—obliged in all cases to document that they used AI tools for their work.
On the basis of the principle of human oversight and responsibility, students have the duty, when using AI, to preserve human control throughout the entire creative process and—on the basis of the knowledge acquired during their studies—to exercise critical judgement. The student is also responsible for recognising, based on the knowledge obtained at the university, any possible distortions, errors, and “hallucinations” in AI-generated content and for critically evaluating them.
Taking data protection and data security considerations into account, except for special cases subject to specific authorisation, it is expressly prohibited to use as input for training AI tools unpublished research results, confidential information, personal data, research data specified in non-disclosure agreements, and business information.
Prohibited uses
Students are subject to a documentation obligation during the supported use of AI tools. The adoption of results or content (text, image, audio, code) generated by AI tools without source indication, that is, presenting them as one’s own work and as the result of intellectual creative activity, qualifies as a breach of educational and research duties, constitutes a violation of research ethics, and is subject to the same judgement as plagiarism. AI may not replace independent intellectual work and may not be indicated as an author. The use of AI tools is prohibited during examinations and in-class tests.
Introduction of the regulation
The nine faculties of Eötvös Loránd University will work out faculty-level specific rules taking into account the characteristics of the individual disciplines by mid-December. The faculties will publish these by no later than January 31, 2026, and from this date the rules will be binding on students.
From the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year, ELTE will launch mandatory training for all students, which is based on familiarising them with the functioning, capabilities, and limitations of AI, on lawful and conscious use, and on conveying the university regulations.
Implementation is supervised by the university’s rector’s commissioner responsible for artificial intelligence, who annually reviews the regulation in order to ensure that the Student AI Code truly supports university students and can keep pace with the rapid development of technology.