Tsinghua University in Beijing has officially launched its first comprehensive framework for artificial intelligence in education. Announced on December 1, 2025, the “Tsinghua University Guiding Principles for the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Education” aims to provide systematic guidance for the ethical and effective use of AI across its campus.
This initiative comes at a time when generative artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly integrated into educational settings. Students are utilizing AI to enhance learning and stimulate creativity, while educators are exploring its potential benefits and ethical implications. The newly introduced Guiding Principles are segmented into three main areas: General Provisions, Teaching and Learning, and Theses, Dissertations, and Practical Achievements. Each section offers detailed, scenario-based guidelines that address critical aspects of both teaching and academic research.
Wang Shuaiguo, Director of the Online Education Center and the primary author of the framework, emphasized the need for the guidelines to evolve with technological advancements. “We hope this will not become a document that restricts innovation. It should be a living system—one that continues to grow as the technology evolves,” Wang stated.
Core Principles and Responsible AI Use
The General Provisions section establishes a proactive yet cautious stance towards AI, outlining five core principles: responsibility, compliance and integrity, data security, prudence and critical thinking, and fairness and inclusiveness. These principles reinforce the idea that AI should serve as a supplementary tool, with human instructors and students remaining central to the educational process.
The framework mandates transparency in AI usage, prohibits academic dishonesty, and restricts the use of sensitive or unauthorized data in AI model training. Additionally, it encourages vigilance against errors produced by AI and advocates for multi-source verification to prevent cognitive complacency.
The guidelines also address concerns about algorithmic bias and the digital divide, ensuring that AI development and application prioritize the public good.
Guidelines for Teaching and Research
In the Teaching and Learning section, instructors are advised to define how AI should be utilized based on specific course objectives. Educators are expected to introduce the Guiding Principles to students at the beginning of each term, emphasizing their responsibility for any AI-generated materials. Faculty members are encouraged to foster a critical understanding of AI among students, who are permitted to use these tools as learning aids but are forbidden from submitting AI-generated text, code, or other content without proper attribution.
For graduate students, the Theses, Dissertations, and Practical Achievements section underscores that AI cannot replace the essential academic training and independent intellectual work required. The use of AI for ghostwriting, plagiarism, or any form of academic misconduct is strictly banned. Supervisors are tasked with offering clear guidance on appropriate AI use throughout the research process to uphold academic integrity.
The Guiding Principles reflect Tsinghua University’s commitment to fostering an environment where innovation can thrive without compromising ethical standards. With the rise of AI-powered educational tools, the university recognizes the need to address emerging questions surrounding ethics, responsibility, and authorship.
The drafting of these principles began in summer 2024, involving collaboration between various academic and administrative departments. This initiative aims to balance openness to technological progress with responsible oversight, signaling a shift from merely advancing technology to providing institutional support.
Looking ahead, Tsinghua University plans to promote these principles through its AI literacy platform, faculty workshops, and interdisciplinary dialogues. The university is dedicated to guiding its community towards responsible AI use, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for educational innovation, and preparing the next generation to effectively engage with intelligent technologies.
For a comprehensive overview of the Guiding Principles, interested parties can visit Tsinghua University’s official website and its social media channels on platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
