Student use of large language model artificial intelligence on a history of mathematics module

This case study assesses experience in autumn 2023 of permitting the use of Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence (AI) in preparing essays on a module in the history of mathematics. As a check on usage and to ensure academic standards, students were required to complete two paragraphs to accompany their essays explaining their use of AI. These generated qualitative and quantitative data on student familiarity with AI, and ability to use it in a thoughtful and ethical manner, which is reported here. Findings were that over 50% of students rejected AI use, and only 9% used it extensively. There was a weak negative correlation between AI use and essay grade, for which student confidence may have been a confounding factor. The most frequent reasons for rejecting AI were ethical, personal (satisfaction and confidence), and the time needed to correct it.