WWES AI Policy and Enforcement Guidelines

(Effective March 22, 2024 – Updated October 2, 2025)

1. Purpose of the Policy

Worldwide Evangelical Seminary (WWES) is committed to authentic theological education and personal formation. AI-generated work undermines the very core of learning. If AI writes your theology, it is no longer your theology. Therefore, WWES enforces a Zero-Tolerance Policy on AI-generated submissions, treating them as academic dishonesty equivalent to plagiarism.

This policy applies to all WWES programs, whether online or through partner branches.

2. Scope of the Policy

  • Prohibited Use: Students may not submit AI-generated text, code, or media as their own work.

  • Permitted Use (Limited): Spell-check, grammar correction, and bibliography software are acceptable. Any substantive use of AI to generate content is strictly forbidden.

  • Applicability: This policy applies to all written assignments, forum posts, exams, and projects.

3. Screening Process

All student submissions are automatically scanned using multiple layers of AI detection. The system is designed to balance fairness and rigor:

  1. Initial Screening: Each submission is checked by automated AI-detection tools.

  2. Flagging: If sufficient evidence of AI use is detected, the work is marked for review.

  3. Pattern Recognition: Repeatedly flagged submissions accumulate as part of a student’s record.

4. Escalation Stages

  • Watchlist Placement:
    When enough submissions are flagged as AI-generated, the student is placed on the AI-Case Watchlist. In moderate or borderline cases, a warning may be issued.

  • Advanced Screening:
    If concerns persist, the case is escalated to advanced detection, which requires additional verification steps and incurs extra costs for the seminary.

  • Suspension and Comprehensive Review:
    If systematic or concealed AI use is confirmed, the student account is suspended and moved to the comprehensive review queue.

    • At this stage, all past submissions are re-analyzed and scored for probability of AI use.

    • Transcript issuance and academic progress are frozen until the review is completed.

  • Review Panel (Rare Cases):
    In rare circumstances, if a student can demonstrate strong pre-AI academic work of verifiable quality, a review panel may consider this evidence before issuing a final decision.

5. Consequences

  • Systematic Cheating: Sustained or concealed AI use results in suspension without amnesty. Students in this category may be permanently denied transcripts or continuation of studies.

  • Scholarship Students: Since many violators are on scholarship, grievances from suspended students are treated at very low priority. Reviews and final decisions may take several months or more.

  • Communication Restriction: The AI-case email address and queue are not monitored. All correspondence from suspected violators is automatically filed and not read.

6. Opt-Out Clause

Students who do not accept this policy may request account cancellation in line with WWES policy procedures.

7. Summary

WWES upholds this policy not merely as an administrative rule but as a safeguard for genuine theological formation. The best way to avoid interruption in your studies is simple: Do not use AI tools in your academic work.

See the default communications to AI-violators: WWES AI Policy.

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Previous versions of the policy (March 22, 2024):

Zero Tolerance AI Policy

In recent times, we have observed an increasing use of AI-generated content in submissions, including forum responses, starting from mid-2023. Like plagiarism, submitting AI-generated text as a student’s original work is academic cheating and will not be tolerated at WWES.

In light of these developments, we are implementing a strict policy to maintain the integrity of our academic community.

Effective March 22, 2024, we are introducing a zero-tolerance policy towards AI-generated content submitted as student’s original work:

1. New violations
If AI-generated content is detected in any new post or assignment, the student’s account will be suspended immediately and no transcripts will be issued.

2. Systematic cheating in the past
If, at the President’s discretion, a student’s use of AI for cheating in past or ongoing courses is found to be deliberate and extensive, their account will be suspended without amnesty and no transcripts will be issued.

3. Consequences of suspension
Suspended students are ineligible to receive transcripts for any courses—regardless of when they were completed.

4. Allowed tools
This policy does not prohibit the use of standard bibliography software or spell- and grammar-checking tools. Our detection methods can distinguish these legitimate aids from academic dishonesty.

Policy Non-Acceptance

We understand this policy may not align with everyone's views. Students who find this policy disagreeable are encouraged to seek educational opportunities elsewhere that align more closely with their perspectives on academic integrity.

If you choose not to accept this policy, please email office@evangelicalseminary.net with the subject 'Please cancel my account'.

If you agree with this policy, no email response is needed.

We take these measures to preserve the excellence of our programs and to honor the hard work of our honest students.

Thank you for your cooperation.