University of Basel: AI Rules for Theses
It depends on your lecturer and faculty. The University of Basel plans no general ban on AI tools, but its guideline says AI may at most play a supporting role in assessed work, and lecturers may deviate from it. Faculties that require a declaration of independent authorship get a sample wording. Label AI use as the guideline describes.
What the official text says
These are the university's own words, quoted as published. Where the original is French, the third column paraphrases it; it is not a translation.
| Source | Official wording (verbatim) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Uni Basel: AI in learning and teachingSource 1 | The University of Basel is not planning to introduce a general ban on such tools. | No blanket ban; your lecturer decides. |
| Uni Basel: Leitfaden «Aus KI zitieren», v3.0 (August 2025)Source 1 | Darum dürfen KI-basierte Tools in prüfungsrelevanten Leistungen höchstens unterstützend eingesetzt werden. Studierende müssen mit ihnen steuernd umgehen. | AI may assist, not author. You stay in control. |
| Uni Basel: Leitfaden «Aus KI zitieren», v3.0 (August 2025)Source 1 | Dozierende können vom Leitfaden jederzeit abweichen und/oder fachspezifische Anpassungen vornehmen. | Your lecturer's rule beats the guideline. |
What you have to do
Ask your supervisor before you start writing and keep a short log of every AI use (tool, date, task, what you kept). The declaration is much easier to fill in from a log than from memory.
Check whether your faculty requires the declaration of independent authorship, and label AI use as the Leitfaden v3.0 sets out.
What the rule leaves open
Whether the declaration is mandatory depends on the faculty. The Leitfaden names the university's AI page as the place for its latest version.
Questions this guide answers
Every answer below is assembled from the dated fields on this page. Nothing is written separately for search.
Is AI banned at the University of Basel?
No general ban. In assessed work it may at most play a supporting role, and lecturers can set other rules.
Which version of the citation guideline applies?
Version 3.0 of August 2025, checked 16 October 2026.