Reference document issued by the Artificial Intelligence Committee (2024)
SUPDECO Dakar Group – Higher Education“AI will not replace students who know how to think. It will replace those who refuse to learn how to use it.”
At SUPDECO Dakar Group, Artificial Intelligence is neither a threat nor a shortcut. It is a powerful technological tool. In accordance with the recommendations of the Artificial Intelligence Committee, we encourage its responsible use while preserving the core values of higher education: academic integrity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.
The goal is not to ban AI, nor to let it do everything. The goal is to teach students how to use it as an academic and professional support tool.
Why SUPDECO Promotes Responsible AI
The SUPDECO Dakar Group is engaged in a profound digital transformation. We strongly believe that Artificial Intelligence can improve learning and foster innovation. This is why the Artificial Intelligence Committee was established: to provide a clear and ethical framework for the use of AI within our institution.
We recognize the many benefits of AI tools: personalized learning, idea generation, writing assistance, and access to information. However, they should never replace students’ own efforts, personal reflection, or intellectual development. AI must remain a support tool, not a substitute for learning.
5 Golden Rules for Using AI as a Smart Student
01. Use AI to Understand, Not to Copy
Ask AI to explain a concept, provide examples, or rephrase a complex topic. Do not ask it to complete your assignment for you. The value you produce must remain your own.
02. Always Verify the Information Generated
AI can make mistakes, invent sources, or present outdated information. Always cross-check its output with your lectures, textbooks, and reliable academic sources. Your critical thinking remains your greatest asset.
03. Declare Any Use When Required
Some instructors may allow AI as an assistance tool; others may not. In all cases, transparency is a fundamental value. Misrepresenting your work process constitutes academic misconduct, regardless of its form.
04. Learn to Write Effective Prompts
The quality of your results depends on the quality of your request. Be specific, provide context, and clearly indicate the expected format. This is a professional skill in its own right—and it can be learned.
05. Protect Your Data and the Data of Others
Do not share confidential information, personal data, or institutional documents in a public AI tool. Your digital vigilance protects both your privacy and the reputation of the institution.
Recommended Tools for Beginners
There are dozens of AI tools available. Here are the ones that offer real educational value for a business, trade, or management student:
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ChatGPT – Versatile conversational assistant
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Gemini – Google’s generative AI
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Perplexity AI – Augmented and sourced research
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NotebookLM – Summary of your course documents
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Gamma – Presentation creation
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DeepL – High-quality translation
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Grammarly – English correction and style
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Canva AI – Assisted visual creation
What SUPDECO will not accept
Within the framework defined by the C2IA, certain uses are incompatible with our academic and ethical requirements: → Submitting work entirely generated by AI without any real personal contribution. → Using AI to impersonate an author or plagiarize a work. → Sharing data regarding students, colleagues, or the institution on unsecured platforms. → Bypassing oral or practical assessments by relying on pre-generated answers. The classification of academic misconduct and its consequences are governed by the internal rules and the Directorate of Studies; this framework specifies its application to AI usage.
A final word: you are a fortunate generation.
Students entering SUPDECO today have access to tools that previous generations could not have imagined. But technology does not create talent — it reveals or amplifies it. What will set you apart in tomorrow’s job market will not be the fact that you used ChatGPT. It will be your ability to analyze, decide, communicate, and innovate.
AI is here to free up your time, not to think for you. Learn to make the most of it while remaining true to yourself: curious, rigorous, and proud of your journey.
“At SUPDECO, we train professionals capable of transforming Africa. Artificial intelligence is a tool in your hands — it is up to you to turn it into a strength.”
For the Artificial Intelligence Committee (C2IA)
Written by: Enock Stephen Mambou