At Princeton, you have to confirm that AI use is permitted and disclose it, and at least one department adds its own terms. Economics publishes a policy for junior independent work and the senior thesis, and that policy doesn't settle the question in your own department. This page gives the university rule as the library states it, and that one department policy.
Princeton University Library's guide summarizes the university's Rights, Rules, Responsibilities (section 2.4) this way: “Princeton University students must confirm AI is permitted by an instructor and disclose the use of AI in any academic work.” Read the current text of that section too. We couldn't open it for this page, so the wording here comes from the library.
For a senior thesis, ask your department and thesis advisor who counts as the person who permits it, since a thesis has no course instructor in the usual sense.
One department's policy shows what this can look like in detail: “The Department of Economics permits the use of generative AI (GenAI) tools in junior independent work and senior theses only as described in this policy.” The policy was revised on August 25, 2026. It encourages responsible use and keeps you as the sole author.
| On its permitted list | On its list of academic misconduct |
|---|---|
| Developing research questions, hypotheses, and modeling ideas | Fabricated sources, quotations, datasets, or DOIs |
| Editing for clarity, and formatting tables and citations | Reporting robustness checks that were never run |
| Debugging code and explaining error messages | Citing or summarizing material you haven't read |
| Suggesting search terms or candidate papers | Submitting AI-generated work as is, without review |
On this point, the policy says: “However, Gen AI summaries must never replace actual reading of original academic texts.” It tells you to treat results from a tool as a starting point, to read every article you cite, and to test the code. The policy warns that these tools can produce fabricated sources, and it makes catching them your responsibility.
The policy requires two documents along with your thesis. The first is a signed Statement of Use, which says whether you used generative AI tools. The second is a Verification Matrix, with a row for each research phase and columns for the tool, the assistance it gave, and how you checked the result on your own. You don't submit prompt logs, though the department asks you to keep a record in case it requests them.
Submitting also carries a commitment. JIW here means junior independent work: “By submitting a JIW or thesis, you affirm your ability to explain and defend all claims, methods, and conclusions in your work.” The signed statement adds that you may be asked in the oral defense about any part a tool helped with.
This example is made up. A senior in economics asks a tool for candidate papers and lists that in the matrix as help with keywords. The verification column says the student read each paper. In chapter 2, one paper is cited from the tool's description, and its sample doesn't match what the paragraph says. The matrix now claims something that didn't happen. The student can read the paper and correct the paragraph, or remove the citation. Either way, the matrix has to describe what was done.
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.
The rule as the library states it asks you to disclose AI use, so comments from Esmond on a draft count as something to disclose. Ask your thesis advisor first. Princeton has not reviewed or approved Esmond.
Your thesis advisor can look at how Esmond works and the sample report. For your own question, see whether you can use Esmond.
That depends on your department and your thesis advisor. You have to confirm it is permitted and disclose the use. Economics permits the uses on its list; check what your department says.
The Economics policy covers junior independent work and senior theses. If you are a graduate student, ask your department and the Graduate School.
The library guide says many publishers focus on disclosure, and that citation styles take different approaches. Check your department's policy first. For formats, see how to cite ChatGPT in APA.
Economics doesn't ask you to submit them, and it asks you to keep a record in case they are requested. Other departments may handle this differently.
Read on November 4, 2026.
Esmond is not taking orders on this site yet.