Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools Policy

For the sake of brevity, we shall refer to generative artificial intelligence as genAI throughout this policy.

Can I use genAI tools?

Like any technological advances, there is little doubt that many aspects of what we do has been improved by the use of genAI tools. It would be both impossible and unfair to say that genAI cannot be used. Members will choose to use genAI to varying degrees, ranging from not at all to extensively.

For example, some might use genAI to research a mathematical concept, check code for errors, or help with the wording of a post for the problem threads, especially when English is not a language the member feels confident with using.

So am I entirely free to use genAI tools at Project Euler?

The purpose of Project Euler is to enable learning on your own personal journey of discovery through a series of carefully crafted problems. Yet there is a world of difference between obtaining the answer to a problem and learning how to solve a problem. If genAI has assisted that learning and you now possess a comprehensive understanding of the problem, its mathematical connections, and how it might be solved, then you have gained a treasure of knowledge. But if the genAI gives you the answer, you have gained nothing more than a badge of shame as you submit the answer to a problem you never solved.

Where does Project Euler draw the line with the use of genAI?

What you choose to do in answering questions is your choice. However, what you share at Project Euler matters. In addition, when it becomes clear that a member is using genAI tools to solve problems, we handle this the same as someone gathering answers from cheat lists and it will most likely result in the account being permanently unlisted. Any material shared at Project Euler in the problem threads must be your own work, or in the case of sharing material from external sources must be properly referenced.

Members enjoy learning from other members and that human touch is one of the greatest assets of the problem threads. Before making each post you need to ask, "Will my post be constructive and/or add something of original value to this thread?"

You are free to use genAI to research ideas, strengthen your understanding, seek help in debugging code, and proof-reading posts. However, where you have used genAI more substantially yourself, you may only share relevant parts if, 1) it adds significant value to the learning of others, and, 2) you properly acknowledge its use.

But as we value human creativity and curiosity above all else, we expect the bulk of your posts to reflect a personal journey of discovery. Any posts that we consider to have been primarily created using genAI tools, including code, will be deleted without notice. In the same way that the forum rules have long made it clear that we can and do remove posts that lack any constructive value. You may receive a warning and after this any further attempts to post genAI materials will result in either a ban from posting or your account may be locked.