Artificialintelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) at BUT for Students

A practical guide for students across all faculties


1. Why you should be interested in AI as a BUT student

BUT takes an open and responsible approach to artificial intelligence:

  • has issued principles and recommendations for the use of generative AI, published on the Official Notice Board in the section “Artificial Intelligence and BUT’s Position on the Use of AI Tools” (https://www.vut.cz/uredni-deska/ai)
  • has launched the portal AI@BUT – https://ai.vut.cz, which connects AI activities across faculties, research teams and projects.

AI can help you:

  • speed up learning and preparing for exams,
  • streamline writing assignments and theses,
  • provide significant support for programming and working with data,
  • improve language skills (Czech/English) and presentation skills,
  • open the door to research and professional practice, where AI is the standard.
BUT’s key principle: AI is an assistant, not a replacement. It should help you think and create, not do the work for you.


2. How to get started – framework at BUT and basic orientation


2.1 What BUT says about AI


2.2 Introduction to AI: Czech-language and BUT resources

  • BUT AI@BUT portal – https://ai.vut.cz
    A gateway to AI activities at BUT (projects, teams and news, with study materials planned for the future).
  • BUT BUT's position on AI – https://www.vut.cz/uredni-deska/ai
    A basic framework of what is and is not in accordance with university rules.
  • BUT BUT CVP course "What Is AI Prompting and How Do You Communicate with AI?“
    Focused on prompt-design best practices, minimising hallucinations and the ethical use of AI.
  • CZ AI dětem – AI educational materials for primary and secondary school students and adults
    https://aidetem.cz
    The “General Introduction to AI” handbook, a database of AI tools with tutorials, and guides to using chatbots in teaching.
  • UK AI CUNI – Artificial Intelligence at Charles University
    https://ai.cuni.cz
    Recommendations for using AI in education and research, practical guides and security recommendations.
  • MUNI AI@MUNI / AI in teaching at Masaryk University
    https://ai.muni.cz (AI@MUNI – research, events and collaboration)
    Overview of activities and working groups around AI at Masaryk University.
  • CAS AV21 Strategy – Programme “AI: Artificial Intelligence for Science and Society”
    https://strategie.avcr.cz/programy/ai-1
    A Czech Academy of Sciences programme supporting AI research, public engagement and education.
  • CZ Elements of AI (University of Helsinki, in Czech)
    https://www.elementsofai.cz
    A free course explaining the fundamentals, impacts and ethics of AI, suitable for people without a computer science background.


3. Specific study situations: how to use (and not use) AI

3.1 Learning and preparation for exams

You can:

  • have a complex concept explained in other words,
  • generate questions for the exam
  • ask AI to create a study plan and organise the topics.

University guidelines

AI is neither an examiner nor a guarantee of correctness. Always verify its output against your course materials and notes.

3.2 Writing seminar papers and final theses

You can:

  • get help with choosing / narrowing down the topic,
  • generate a draft outline and then edit it yourself,
  • use AI for language proofreading and style.

University guidelines

What BUT says

  • AI can act as a consultant (outlining and language editing),
  • AI must not write your paper for you—copying AI output and passing it off as your own is not allowed,
  • your paper must state how and why you used AI.
3.3 Programming

You can:

  • use AI (GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT) as a "pair-programmer",
  • have an error or unclear piece of code explained to you,
  • generate simple tests or templates.

University guidelines

At BUT, you are responsible for the correctness and security of your code. Instructors may prohibit or restrict the use of AI for a specific assignment.

3.4 Working with data, laboratory tasks, articles

You can:

  • have chart types and basic statistics designed for you,
  • use AI to explain measurement outputs,
  • use an LLM to work with your own PDFs or notes (for example, NotebookLM).

University guidelines

3.5 Language and style (Czech, English)

You can:

  • use AI for grammar and style improvements,
  • rephrase text in a more formal or accessible way,
  • have the technical text explained in simpler English.

University guidance

  • TH Augsburg - "ChatGPT for students" (writing section)
    Examples of prompts for:
    • finding synonyms,
    • assessing text quality against criteria such as coherence and informativeness, and suggesting improvements,
    • proofreading the language of a text.
    https://www.tha.de/en/ChatGPT-for-students.html
AI-assisted language proofreading is generally considered acceptable, but it should be briefly disclosed in a final thesis if it affects a substantial part of the text.

3.6 Study organization and mind maps

You can:

  • have a study plan designed,
  • create an overview of concepts and the structure of a topic, then turn it into a mind map.

University resources


4. Summary of BUT rules for the use of AI

  1. AI is an assistant, not a replacement.
    Generative AI is regarded as an assistive and consultative tool and must not replace the fulfilment of study obligations.
  2. No copying from AI.
    You must not copy AI-generated text or code and submit it as your own—this is a serious breach of academic ethics comparable to contract cheating.
  3. Transparency.
    For assessed work—especially final theses—you must disclose whether and how AI was used. 
  4. Instructors’ instructions take precedence.
    An instructor or faculty may restrict or prohibit the use of AI for specific assignments; these instructions take precedence over general recommendations.
  5. Critical verification.
    You are responsible for the accuracy and safety of AI outputs; hallucinations, fabricated citations and incorrect calculations remain your responsibility.
  6. Data protection.
    Do not enter sensitive or internal data into public AI tools; always check how a tool handles the information you provide.


5. Checklist for BUT students (before submission)

  • Have I followed BUT rules and the rules for this course?
  • Have I used AI only as an assistant, not as an author?
  • Have I verified the facts, calculations, code and citations?
  • Do I understand the code or analysis that AI helped me produce?
  • Have I explained in my work how I used AI, if it played a significant role?
  • Have I avoided entering sensitive or internal data?


6. Brief FAQ

Can I use ChatGPT for a seminar paper?

Yes, as an assistant — for example, to generate topic ideas, draft an outline or proofread the language. You must write the text yourself, and the result must be your own work. Significant use of AI should be disclosed; for a final thesis, disclosure is mandatory.

Can I use GitHub Copilot while programming?

Unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor, yes. Treat Copilot as an AI pair programmer, that suggests code, but you must understand, test and adapt it as needed. You must always be able to explain and defend the code.

Is it safe to upload course materials and internal data to any AI tool?

No. Sensitive, personal or internal data must not be entered into public AI tools. Before using a tool, review its terms and data practices, including whether submitted data is used for model training.

Where can I learn more about AI at BUT?How should I cite and disclose the use of generative AI in a final thesis?
First, determine whether, for what purpose and to what extent AI was used in the work. You can then follow the illustrative examples on this page: Final Theses – BUT


7. Selected online courses and training (outside BUT)

7.1 Basics of generative AI and AI literacy
  • course Generative AI for Everyone – DeepLearning.AI
    An introductory non-programming course covering how generative AI works, what it can and cannot do, typical use cases, the basics of prompting and more advanced techniques such as RAG and fine-tuning.
    https://www.deeplearning.ai/courses/generative-ai-for-everyone/
  • course Introduction to Generative AI – Google Cloud Skills
    A short microlearning course covering the difference between conventional and generative AI, key concepts and Google’s GenAI tools.
    https://www.skills.google/course_templates/536
  • course Introduction to Responsible AI – Google Cloud Skills
    An introduction to responsible AI, including Google’s principles, risks and approach to responsible deployment.
    https://www.skills.google/course_templates/554
  • portal Google for Education - AI & Education
    An overview of how Google AI supports education (Gemini, Classroom, Read Along, NotebookLM) and materials for teachers and students:
    • "Generative AI for Educators" (training),
    • "A Guide to AI in Education" (methodology),
    • "Teaching responsible use of AI" (teaching materials).
    https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_uk/ai/education/
  • course Claude for You - Anthropic
    A set of courses on personal productivity, learning and creativity with Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant, including the fundamentals of generative AI and practical prompt patterns.
    https://www.anthropic.com/learn/claude-for-you
7.2 Prompt engineering and “how to communicate with AI”7.3 Technical courses – AI, ML, LLMs7.4 Other generative AI and education resources


8. Other Czech and university resources on AI in education

Responsibility: Mgr. Marta Vaňková