Generative AI and EAP

This chapter examines higher education policies and practices related to the use of Generative AI (GenAI), critiquing the lack of clear guidance on its role in academic writing, which has contributed to confusion among both students and staff. Given the affordances of GenAI tools in academic contexts, universities should actively promote and support the development of AI literacy among staff and students. Current policies should shift away from assumptions of potential misconduct and instead offer evidence-based guidance on the effective and ethical use of GenAI. The EAP classroom is an ideal context for fostering equitable access to GenAI and providing context-specific guidance on its responsible use. This is illustrated through examples from discipline-specific workshops, which were informed by evidence of students’ perceptions and current use of GenAI tools. Activities from these workshops may serve as practical resources for both EAP staff and subject lecturers seeking to offer adequate GenAI guidance to their students.