Promoting Academic Integrity in the age of AI

At RIT Croatia, academic integrity is a foundational value that shapes how our students learn, grow, and succeed. In partnership with the New Media Club, Antonija Granić, the College Ombudsperson, launched the Academic Integrity Campaign to emphasize the importance of honest, original work and critical thinking, especially in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

A week dedicated to Academic Integrity

To kick off the campaign, the week of March 24 to March 28, 2025, was dedicated to raising awareness about academic honesty. Students at the Zagreb campus participated in a range of activities designed to spark thoughtful conversations about integrity. Among the most impactful was the Post-it note wall, where students wrote personal messages on why academic integrity matters today. These reflections were displayed, creating a powerful visual reminder of the student body’s commitment to integrity.

Ombudsperson Granić shared her thoughts on the initiative, stating, “Many students approached me out of curiosity, engaged with the posters, and responded positively. Their reactions reinforced the value of creating spaces for open dialogue on academic integrity.”

Collaboration with the New Media Club

The success of the campaign was further enhanced through a creative collaboration with the New Media Club, led by student Nora Miškulin. This partnership allowed students to apply their design skills to the campaign, bringing the initiative’s vision to life in a visually engaging way. “Once I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve, I reached out to Nora, who collaborated with her colleagues from the Club to bring the idea to life, adding their own creative touch to the final product”, said Granić

The collaboration allowed students in the New Media Club to apply their skills in design while contributing to an important cause. “I wanted to involve our students in a meaningful way, allowing them to contribute their creativity while also gathering their input on the campaign slogans”, Ombudsperson Granić said. “It was an opportunity to apply their skills, gain hands-on experience, and see their designs come to life”.

Workshop on 'Ethical Dilemmas & AI'

Building on the theme of academic integrity, the campaign also included a workshop focused on ethical dilemmas related to AI in academic work. On March 28, 2025, freshmen in the Web and Mobile Computing program participated in a session that explored the ethical challenges of using AI without human oversight. Through a case study titled ‘Ethical Dilemmas & AI’, students discussed the consequences of relying solely on AI to produce research, with one example highlighting a study generated entirely by AI, leading to flawed findings and ethical concerns.

Ombudsperson Granić emphasized that without a strong foundation in critical thinking, students might struggle to achieve meaningful results when using AI tools. “Without understanding what to input and how to distinguish accurate information from incorrect data, they risk facing challenges not only in their academic journey, but also in their future professional careers”, Granić concluded.

Future steps for the Academic Integrity Campaign

The campaign continues to make a positive impact across campus, with ongoing discussions about academic integrity taking place across campus. Following the successful activities at the Zagreb campus, the campaign will extend to the Dubrovnik campus, where similar events will occur on April 24 and 25.

Looking ahead to the next academic year, Ombudsperson Granić is excited to explore new initiatives to further the cause, saying, “possibilities are endless, and together, we can shape a future grounded in integrity and innovation”.