Generative AI in the University Writing Center 

Writer-centered support. Thoughtful conversations about AI.

At the UCF University Writing Center (UWC), we believe writing is human-centered. As technology evolves, including generative AI, we remain committed to supporting writers with our six values of respect, inclusion, compassion, collaboration, adaptability, growth and learning. Here’s how our values shape conversations about AI in the center.

As a safe space that respects writer agency, the UWC lets a writer decide if they want to bring AI tools into their writing process. We will use question-asking and rapport-building strategies to center the writer and their experiences and goals related to AI tool use. Likewise, tutors’ willingness to use AI tools themselves should also be respected in and outside of sessions while still supporting the writer’s goals.

What might this look like during your session?

We will ask before suggesting generative AI tools and respect your decision to opt in or out. We will never upload your work to generative AI platforms without your explicit permission. We will continue to focus on your voice, insights, and choices—tech is optional.

The UWC is open to learning about a writer’s disposition towards AI tools (positive, negative, or neutral) and the role these tools may have played in their past writing and learning experiences or how these tools can be included in future writing and learning experiences. We are open to sharing our writing processes as it relates to AI and writing, too. We want to help all writers learn to think critically about their writing process and writing technologies, not stigmatize or judge them.

What might this look like during your session?

We will promote the center as a space that welcomes different attitudes, access, and experiences with generative AI. We will discuss course expectations and policies with you without gatekeeping. We will normalize being curious and skeptical about generative AI.

The UWC acknowledges that writing is hard and demonstrates empathy; that compassion does not end if the writer chooses to bring AI tools into their writing process. If we feel an AI tool could assist a writer, we will ask if they are open to exploring this tool and respect their decision. If we worry that using a tool might harm a writer’s process or goals, we will encourage alternative resources and techniques and respect their decision. If a writer chooses to disclose the use of AI in a session, we will respond to that disclosure without judgment.

What might this look like during your session?

We will acknowledge challenges (e.g., time, confidence, barriers) and offer supportive options. We will frame the use of generative AI in writing as a tool, not a shortcut that replaces your thinking or learning. And we will celebrate your growth and effort no matter what writing tools you choose to bring into your process.

The UWC believes writers visit us because they value human feedback and collaboration. This collaboration is between tutor and writer with AI potentially acting as an additive tool, not replacing the writer’s identity, language, process, and ideas or the tutor’s feedback. Conversation, including respectful conversation about AI tools, can be a part of the collaborative process during UWC sessions. Additionally, tutors and writers can work together to identify expectations and policies and negotiate attitudes and beliefs related to AI.

What might this look like during your session?

We will co-create a plan for your session and at your suggestion see how (or if) generative AI fits. We will encourage generative AI use only where it supports but does not substitute your thinking and revision. We will critically interrogate AI output with you and compare that output with your goals, audience, and assignment criteria/purpose for writing.

The UWC believes that our sessions help writers critically understand, negotiate, and adapt to writing in a changing world, including changes in technology, which can include if or how they want to bring AI tools into their writing process. We are available to explore writing technologies with a writer even if we are unfamiliar with them personally.

What might this look like during your session?

We will help you evaluate new tools’ benefits, limits, and fit for your task. We will discuss how technology choices might align or contradict course policies and ethics. We will model a flexible, reflective writing process.

The UWC encourages growth and learning to happen in sessions. As it relates to AI, this includes developing critical AI literacy. For writers interested in using AI tools in sessions, we can talk about how to use and disclose AI tools in compliance with faculty’s individual course policies, understand ethical concerns of AI, the potential benefits and limitations of bringing AI tools into the writing process, practice using these tools as writing support, or develop a plan for how they can critically assess AI tools and output.

What might this look like during your session?

We will reflect on your purpose for wanting to use generative AI, your process, and the product. We will practice with you verifying facts, evaluating bias, and preserving your voice. We will plan for transparent disclosure and responsible citation when required.

What this Means for Writers:

At the UWC, you decide whether generative AI tools are part of your writing process. We’ll meet you where you are without judgment and help you think critically about writing technologies and navigating course and professional AI policies. However, we also strongly believe that generative AI should never replace your ideas, language, or voice.

The UWC also respects the rights of every instructor to set their own expectations for generative AI use. These policies can vary widely with some courses prohibiting generative AI use and others allowing conditional use with disclosure. A tutor may ask you to share policies for your course so they can help you understand and negotiate these policies to avoid academic integrity issues and align your writing process with course goals and expectations. If you are unsure of AI guidelines, we encourage you to look to your syllabus and assignment sheets. If policies aren’t clear, we can help you email your professor to ask before using any generative AI tool. We can also help you develop disclosure statements for projects where you are allowed to use generative AI tools.

What This Means for Consultants:

Writing center consultants play a key role in helping writers navigate AI thoughtfully and ethically. Our goal is to support intentional use of generative AI while respecting professors’ expectations and protecting academic integrity.

Consultants will…

• Work with writers to identify course policies and assignment guidelines.
• Promote critical thinking about generative AI tool use if appropriate, helping them think about these tools critically and rhetorically about its role in their writing or project.
• Talk with writers about the consequences of submitting AI-generated work without proper citation or disclosure, and support writers in citing and disclosing generative AI use.
• Encourage writers to reach out to instructors when unsure of course policies or assignment expectations.

Other UCF Resources on Generative AI

UCF AI for All Initiative
UCF AI for All Ethical AI Use Page
UCF Libraries Artificial Intelligence Research Guide
UCF Center for Distributed Learning AI Tool List