In the past year there has been a significant push towards use of AI at La Trobe University, largely driven by a business partnership with OpenAI.

AI, particularly LLMs and generative AI, are known for a host of issues. High water and power use that drains valueable resources and puts those living near data centers at risk. Innacurate and biased information or 'hallucinating' information. Art and IP theft. Just to name a few of the issues.

The Arts and Crafts Club of La Trobe University took a stand against AI use in our Code of Conduct, voted in by student members in September of 2025.

Defined as:

"Generative AI: Artificial Intelligence or machine learning tools that generate content such as text and visuals from a given prompt or input. Includes Large Language Models (LLMs), Multimodal Foundation Models (MFMs), and all other forms of AI with generative capacity."

Code of Conduct:

"4.3. AI Usage

4.3.1. When in attendance of an Arts & Crafts LTU event or when engaging with Arts & Crafts LTU social media and communications the usage of AI for generation or creation of art is strictly prohibited.

4.3.2. Use of Generative AI and AI trained using Scraped Data are both considered in breach of 4.1 d. as they break the expectation of artistic integrity.

4.3.3. AI usage that undermines or reduces the capacity of an individual to:

a. Build skills

b. Problem solve

c. Meaningfully collaborate

d. Express ideas in their own terms

e. Seek or find appropriate and reliable learning resources

f. Attribute accurate credit

Independently or in collaboration with peers is considered a breach of points 1.2 and 4.1 d."

We believe that, for the same reasons AI is a breach of artistic integrity, that it is also a breach of academic integrity and its use should be prohibited or strongly discouraged in academic settings. 

What we are asking for:

- That AI focussed assignments where generative AI use is required be removed from courses or the mandatory provision of AI-free assessment alternatives.

- That generative AI usage be actively discouraged in all academic environments.

- That opting-out of AI use be possible in all circumstances where La Trobe courses, programs, or systems use it, for both students and staff.

- That generative AI 'art' and marketing materials be discontinued and prohibitted for all areas of La Trobe University and associated campus services and programs.

- That AI-generated course materials must be reviewed strictly and the use of AI be disclosed transparantly at all stages. Including the provision of materials free of AI-generated content.