Disclosing AI use in a thesis is required at many universities, and the declaration of independent work (Eigenständigkeitserklärung) is where you stand behind your statements. Using examples from guidelines of German universities, this guide shows what can go into the declaration and the list of aids, what to clarify with your supervisor, and what consequences concealment can have.
Short answer: Clarify AI use in a bachelor’s or master’s thesis with your supervisor beforehand and document it fully. FH Wedel requires a list of aids with tool, provider, version, purpose and location, and states that disclosure is always necessary. The declaration must match. Your own university’s examination regulations are binding. Last updated: October 2026.
The key points
- Before you start, clarify with your supervisor whether, for what and to what extent AI is allowed, ideally in writing.
- The examination regulations take precedence over the supervisor’s instructions, which take precedence over guidelines. FH Wedel, for example, regulates it this way.
- Keep a list from the start: tool, provider, version or date, purpose, location in the thesis.
- The declaration of independent work must match the list. Concealment can lead to exmatriculation.
- For collaborations with companies: do not enter confidential data into public AI systems.
What applies to AI in a bachelor’s and master’s thesis?
As with a term paper (see our guide to AI in term papers, in German), the examination regulations, the supervisor and university guidelines decide. Requirements for theses are usually stricter because the thesis is a main component of the final grade and your own contribution can also be tested in the oral defence (Kolloquium). FH Wedel states for its theses: unless set otherwise, AI is an aid that must be declared as long as you write the thesis yourself. On the core question, the guideline says that whether you must declare use is decided by the examination procedure regulations, and the answer is always yes.
Other universities proceed differently. The University of Potsdam lets lecturers decide whether AI is allowed, presupposed or prohibited, and recommends the declaration of independent work without making it mandatory. At Bremen University of Applied Sciences, the bachelor’s or master’s thesis is among the assessments for which an AI declaration of independent work under § 7 AT-BPO and AT-MPO is required. For you, only what your university sets counts.
What goes into the declaration and the list of aids?
The table puts examples from published documents side by side. They are orientation, not a prescribed format for your university.
| University or document | What is declared | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| FH Wedel, guideline for theses with AI (compact version of 8 July 2026) | List of aids with tool, provider, version or date, purpose and location; plus a short reflection on the influence of AI | Prompts only if the supervisor asks. The declaration under § 17 PVO must match the list. AI cannot be an author. |
| University of Potsdam, guidance on AI and examinations (version 1.1, 28 May 2026) | Declaration with the options “no AI” or “AI use” including extent; a tool list with name, version, date and affected passages is recommended | Declaration recommended, not mandatory. Documentation table in the annex of the guidance. |
| Bremen University of Applied Sciences, AI transparency in courses | AI declaration of independent work for every assessed piece of work, including bachelor’s and master’s theses | Work not correctly labelled counts as cheating under § 16(2). |
| Template “Eigenständigkeitserklärung und Einsatz von KI” on the University of Marburg’s website (undated) | Table in the annex with program name and purpose of use when AI was used for central work steps | Pure language aids and checked research only need to be listed. Whole chapters or interpretation and discussion by AI are impermissible under the template. |
Example row for a list of aids
Assumption: You used a language model to improve the wording of a paragraph you wrote yourself. The row could look like this:
| Tool | Provider | Version or date | Purpose | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example language model | Example provider | October 2026 | Language revision of a self-written paragraph | Chapter 3.2 |
This is an example, not a prescribed format. Take structure and scope from your university’s template if there is one.
What should you clarify with your supervisor?
- Whether AI is allowed and for what: research, outline, language support, code, analysis.
- Whether prompts must be documented. FH Wedel’s guideline requires this only at the supervisor’s request.
- Which tools are excluded. The Marburg template lists tools whose use the examiner has excluded as impermissible.
- How the agreement is recorded, ideally by email, so you can prove it later.
What applies to data, companies and sources?
Caution is especially needed for theses with a company partner. FH Wedel’s guideline says that personal data of third parties and confidential data, especially company-related data, must not go into publicly accessible AI systems. You may upload literature only if you are allowed to use it; works under a blocking notice (Sperrvermerk) are excluded. You cite sources at the original location, and copyright and licensing law still apply. For code: understand it, test it and check security and licence before adopting it.
What are the consequences of concealing AI use?
According to FH Wedel’s guideline, cheating exists when you disregard the supervisor’s instructions, conceal use that must be declared, or displace your own contribution so far that the thesis amounts to commissioned work. The consequences range from non-recognition to exmatriculation. Open disclosure carries much lower risk than concealment, and your own contribution can be tested in the oral defence. The Marburg template calls violations a breach of the declaration of independent work, which can lead to failing.
A news4teachers report dated 30 July 2026 on the Administrative Court of Kassel (case no. 7 K 2515/25.KS) shows how much weight the signed declaration carries: according to it, the university could treat a term paper as cheating because of undisclosed AI revision, although the examination regulations contained no explicit AI ban. This is a single case based on a press report, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare spell-check tools too?
Your university decides. The Marburg template requires only a listing for pure language aids, without marking in the text. FH Wedel’s guideline requires disclosure regardless of extent. Clarify it with your supervisor.
Do I have to document prompts?
Not everywhere. According to FH Wedel’s guideline, only if the supervisor requires it. The Marburg template does not mention prompts. Keep prompts internally anyway in case you have to answer questions.
Can I name AI as a co-author?
According to FH Wedel’s guideline, AI cannot count as an author. You bear responsibility for all adopted results, including hallucinations and invented sources.
What if my supervisor only allows use orally?
Put the agreement in writing, for example by email. FH Wedel’s guideline recommends clarifying in writing where possible.
Do I have to change the declaration if I use AI?
Check your university’s template. Some universities provide options for “no AI” and “AI use”, others an addendum. The declaration must match your list.
What to do now
- Read the examination regulations and the examination office’s notes on aids and the declaration of independent work.
- Talk to your supervisor before starting about tools, purposes and extent, and record the result in writing.
- Create a list of aids and maintain it continuously, not only before submission.
- Check every statement and source in the original and do not enter confidential data into public AI services.
- Reconcile list and declaration before submission and sign only what is true.
Related guides
- AI Use in Studies: Rules, Disclosure and Tools
- Writing a Bachelor’s Thesis, 12-Week Timeline
- How to Avoid Plagiarism in Your Academic Work
- Citing Sources at University: The Key Rules
- AI in a term paper
Sources: FH Wedel, guideline for theses with AI (8 July 2026) · University of Potsdam, guidance on AI and examinations, v1.1 (28 May 2026) · Bremen University of Applied Sciences, AI transparency in courses (October 2026) · University of Marburg, template declaration of independent work and AI use (undated) · news4teachers, report on the Kassel court decision (30 July 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
