University AI Policy Tracker
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Bloemfontein, South Africa

University of the Free State

RankingQS World University Rankings 2026: 1001-1200UpdatedMay 26, 2026

No reviewed summary yet

Reviewed record

Reviewed claims

7 reviewed claims

Source Status

The University of the Free State has a Senate-approved AI Position Statement that covers both generative and assistive AI technologies across teaching and learning, research, and administrative tasks.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence94%

Normalized value: senate_approved_ai_position_statement_scope

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
Approved at Senate 27 May 2025. Within this statement, AI includes both generative and assistive AI technologies in the completion of a wide range of teaching and learning, research, and administrative tasks.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
5baa9bee…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
PDF title and opening definition section

Ai Tool Treatment

UFS states that it does not impose a blanket restriction on AI use, while noting that advantages, disadvantages, and implications need to be considered in different UFS spheres.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence93%

Normalized value: no_blanket_ai_restriction_with_contextual_consideration

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
Informed by the goals of Vision 130 the UFS does not impose a blanket restriction on the use of AI as it believes that by using new and emerging technologies the quality of learning, teaching, research, and business processes could be enhanced.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
5baa9bee…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
AI Position Statement, institutional position paragraph

Academic Integrity

UFS identifies academic rigour, integrity, and honesty as a guiding principle for AI use and says AI integration should not undermine academic integrity, ethics, and honesty.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence93%

Normalized value: ai_integration_should_not_undermine_integrity

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
Academic rigour, integrity and honesty: In embracing the potentials of AI, it is imperative to uphold the fundamental principles of academic integrity and ethical conduct in higher education. The integration of AI should, therefore, not undermine the core values of academic rigour, integrity, ethics, and honesty.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
5baa9bee…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
AI Position Statement, guiding principles

Academic Integrity

UFS announced that it will discontinue the use of AI detection software across all faculties and academic activities from 1 July 2026.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence92%

Normalized value: ai_detection_discontinued_all_faculties_activities_2026_07_01

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
The University of the Free State (UFS) will discontinue the use of AI detection software across all faculties and academic activities from 1 July 2026, signalling a major shift in how the institution approaches academic integrity in an increasingly AI-enabled higher education environment.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
1a90ebf9…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
News item, opening paragraph

Privacy

UFS lists respect and awareness as an AI guiding principle, including respect for individuals' privacy and data security and awareness of potential social and environmental harm.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence91%

Normalized value: ai_tools_respect_privacy_data_security_harm_awareness

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
Respect and awareness: Ensure the use of AI tools to respect individuals' privacy, and data security, and to mitigate and raise awareness of potential social and environmental harm.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
5baa9bee…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
AI Position Statement, guiding principles

Teaching

UFS says AI literacy and skills should be developed as part of digital competencies across all levels of the institution, with students, staff, and stakeholders supported to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence90%

Normalized value: ai_literacy_and_support_across_ufs

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
AI literacy and skills should be developed as part of the digital competencies across all levels within the UFS. Students, staff, and stakeholders should be supported to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
5baa9bee…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
AI Position Statement, guiding principles

Academic Integrity

UFS reaffirmed that students remain responsible for producing original work and using generative AI tools honestly and appropriately within institutional guidelines.

Review: Agent reviewedConfidence90%

Normalized value: student_responsibility_original_work_honest_appropriate_genai_use

Last checked
May 26, 2026
Last changed
May 26, 2026

Original evidence

Evidence 1
For students, the shift means that AI detection tools will no longer form part of assessment or academic integrity processes. At the same time, the university reaffirmed that students remain responsible for producing original work and for using generative AI tools honestly and appropriately within institutional guidelines.
Source language
English (en)
Snapshot hash
1a90ebf9…
Retrieved
May 26, 2026
Evidence locator
News item, student impact paragraph

Source record

Official sources

2 sources

Record information, JSON & citation
Reviewagent reviewedConfidence94%Snapshot statusNot publishedJSONPublic JSON

Citation: University AI Policy Tracker. "University of the Free State AI Policy Tracker record." Last checked May 26, 2026. https://eduaipolicy.org/universities/university-of-the-free-state

Original university source language remains canonical. This tracker is not an official university statement.

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