LEXINGTON, Ky. — As finals season approaches, University of Kentucky students are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools to manage their workload and study more efficiently. But with varying course policies across campus, understanding how to use AI ethically is critical to maintaining academic integrity, according to an emerging expert in the field.

UKNow recently spoke with Tama Thé, M.D., an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine. Thé, who founded the AI Incubator in the College of Medicine and serves as an AI research fellow with the National Board of Medical Examiners, emphasized that the first step for students is checking their syllabus.

"Start with your professor's syllabus. Every course has a different policy," Thé said. "Once you know the rules, use AI where it helps you learn, not where it replaces thinking."

Thé drew clear lines between helpful AI use and academic dishonesty. Submitting work that artificial intelligence wrote or solved—whether essays, code, or problem sets—constitutes cheating. Attempting to disguise AI output through paraphrasing doesn't change that, he explained.

"If you'd feel uncomfortable showing the professor your chat history, that's usually the line," Thé said. Students uncertain about their approach should email professors describing their intended use and ask for clarification, he advised.

When used appropriately, AI becomes a powerful study tool during finals week. Thé recommended asking AI to explain concepts at progressively simpler levels, generate practice questions from notes, identify gaps in understanding, and serve as a tutor during late-night study sessions. The University of Kentucky has established the AI Literacy and Training Hub to help the campus community understand responsible use of these tools.

AI also helps with practical logistics. Students can feed the tool their exam dates, confidence levels in each subject, and available study hours to create a realistic study schedule. However, Thé cautioned that AI schedules often assume unrealistic pace and should be adjusted based on individual circumstances.

On stress management, AI can remind students to take breaks or maintain basic self-care. But Thé emphasized that AI is not a therapist. "If finals are genuinely overwhelming, like can't-sleep, can't-eat, can't-function overwhelming, talk to a human," he said.

The clearest test of learning comes when students close their laptops. If they can explain a concept aloud without notes, solve unfamiliar problems, or teach the material to others, they have genuinely learned it, Thé explained. If they can only recognize correct answers, that indicates superficial understanding.

AI's highest-value use during finals involves generating practice questions based on course materials, allowing students to test themselves before the real exam. Even more useful, Thé suggested, is asking AI to create harder questions than typical practice materials—a realistic preparation strategy.

As students navigate the intensity of finals week, the key is maintaining focus on learning rather than seeking shortcuts. By staying within course guidelines and using AI intentionally, students can enhance their understanding and finish strong.