An AI disclosure statement says which AI tools you used in your thesis, for what, and how you checked the output. Some graduate schools require one, and they differ on what it must contain and where it goes. Your own school's form or example comes first.
Southern Methodist University's library guide says: “A good statement is honest and specific.” Three graduate schools spell out what that means for a thesis or dissertation:
| School | What the statement names |
|---|---|
| University of South Florida | The AI program and version, example prompts, the date of access, and how AI was used |
| Florida International University | The specific tools, their purpose and scope, and the parts of the work they touched |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | The tools, their purpose, and the scope of their application |
GIA in the UL Lafayette text appears to mean generative AI, which the rest of the document abbreviates as GAI. If your school gives no location, ask your advisor and keep the answer.
| School | Placement |
|---|---|
| University of South Florida | An appendix |
| Florida International University | Preliminary pages of committee drafts and the final manuscript, with data analysis also in the methods section |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | “disclosure must be prominently included in the manuscript, either in the introduction, methods section, or a dedicated GIA disclosure statement following the acknowledgements section.” |
| St. Catherine University (student guide) | “Include the statement in the body of your work, or in an appendix or acknowledgements at the end of your work.” |
South Florida publishes a model statement for theses, and it closes with two sentences: “All AI use was reviewed for relevance and accuracy.” and “Responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of this work remains solely my own.” Here is a made-up statement with the same parts:
"I used ExampleTool, version 2, in March 2026 to suggest search terms for chapter 2. My committee agreed to this use by email on March 3. I checked each term in the library database and read every article I cite. I am responsible for the accuracy of this thesis."
That example fits one made-up case, so describe your own use in your own words. South Florida also asks you to disclose generative and assistive use separately. If your school has its own form, use that.
SMU's guide says “a citation is not enough to acknowledge the ways it influenced your work.” A citation points to specific output you quote or rely on. A disclosure describes how you used the tool, including uses that leave no quotable output, such as brainstorming or finding sources. You may need both. For the formats, see how to cite in APA, MLA, and Chicago.
Esmond evaluates every assignment before you submit. It never writes it.
Esmond is an AI tool that doesn't write for you. If your course doesn't allow any AI tools, don't use Esmond for that work. If you're unsure, ask your instructor or advisor.
If your program asks you to list AI tools, name Esmond as a tool you used for feedback on your draft. Esmond doesn't add text to your thesis. Your committee decides what is acceptable.
Ask your advisor. SMU's guide suggests leaning toward including your use when in doubt, and your school's academic integrity policy still applies.
South Florida asks for example prompts, and UL Lafayette says an appendix with the text of your prompts may be required. Keep your prompts either way, so you can provide them if asked.
Save your chats or take screenshots as you go, with the date and the name of the tool. St. Catherine's guide lists several ways, and notes that shared links may not last.
If your use was within what your committee allowed, a statement documents that. If you aren't sure it was, talk to your advisor before you submit.
Read on November 3, 2026.
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