AI and academic integrity
AI brings both opportunities and challenges in the context of academic integrity. While it can assist in identifying and preventing dishonest behaviors, its use also raises ethical questions, especially when it comes to privacy and surveillance. Moreover, it is important to remember that AI tools can support, but not replace, the work of teachers and administrators in promoting academic integrity. Ensuring honesty in academic work also relies heavily on creating a culture of integrity and setting clear expectations for ethical behavior.
As the technology stands today, it's safest to avoid automated AI detection tools completely. "As of now, AI writing is undetectable and likely to remain so," frequent AI analyst and Wharton professor Ethan Mollick told Ars in July. "AI detectors have high false positive rates, and they should not be used as a result." OpenAI confirms that AI writing detectors don’t work | Ars Technica
See below for additional resources on plagiarism detection using AI. AI plagiarism detectors are not currently reliable or accurate. The focus instead should remain on proactively educating students, faculty and staff on the background, application and ethical uses of AI. This is a key point of digital literacy skill development.
- A professor accused his class of using ChatGPT, putting diplomas in jeopardy | Washington Post
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Why AI detectors think the US Constitution was written by AI | Ars Tecnica
- Can AI-Generated Text be Reliably Detected? | Cornell University
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AI text detectors: a stairway to heaven or hell? | Times Higher Education
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Reliably detecting AI-generated text is mathematically impossible | New Scientist
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GPT detectors are biased against non-native English writers | Cornell University
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Nobody wins in an academic integrity arms race | Chronicle of Higher Education
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Tools to spot AI essays show bias against non-native English speakers | New Scientist
ENMU Syllabus Statement
The ENMU Syllabus Template (Fall 2023) includes a section on the Academic Integrity Policy (below). The policy does not explicitly prohibit the use of AI, but rather indicates the use/submission of AI-generated content as your own work is considered academic dishonesty. Faculty may wish to include additional information on the use of AI in their specific course including expectations, etc. Students who have questions regarding the use of AI in a specific course or for a particular assignment or project should always consult with the faculty member teaching the course.
Academic Integrity Policy
Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. See the Student Handbook for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. Additionally, the use of AI-generated content (for example, via ChatGPT and other AI tools) and the attempt to submit AI-generated content as your own work is considered academic dishonesty. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone. Plagiarism is a serious offense. When in doubt, please cite your sources! Please refer to the Catalog for information concerning plagiarism; action can include but is not limited to failure of the assignment; failure of or a reduced grade for the course; suspension or dismissal from your program of study.
Syllabus statements from other institutions
- Classroom Policies for AI Generative ToolsThis resource is created by Lance Eaton for the purposes of sharing and helping other instructors see the range of policies available by other educators to help in the development of their own for navigating AI-Generative Tools (such as ChatGPT, MidJourney, Dall-E, etc). This is searchable by course name or topic and can be good to better understand disciplinary-specific approaches.
Recommended readings
Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (2013)Call Number: ebook OnlinePublication Date: 2013Nearly three-quarters of college students cheat during their undergraduate careers, a startling number attributed variously to the laziness of today's students, their lack of a moral compass, or the demands of a hypercompetitive society. For James Lang, cultural or sociological explanations like these are red herrings. His provocative new research indicates that students often cheat because their learning environments give them ample incentives to try--and that strategies which make cheating less worthwhile also improve student learning.
The Craft of University TeachingCall Number: eBook OnlineISBN: 9781487503239Publication Date: 2018What does university teaching – as a craft – look like? What changes does a craft perspective suggest for higher education? The Craft of University Teaching addresses these questions in both a general sense – What does the act of teaching become when treated as a craft? What changes to a professor's educational philosophy does it require? – and with respect to the practical, everyday tasks of university professors, such as the use and misuse of technology, the handling of academic dishonesty, the assignment of course reading, and the instilling of enthusiasm for learning. Intended for professors of all academic disciplines who either enjoy teaching or wish to enjoy it more, The Craft of University Teaching is a provocative and accessible book containing practical advice gleaned from the academic literature on pedagogy. In an era of increased bureaucratic oversight, rapidly diminishing budgets, and waves of technological distraction, The Craft of University Teaching provokes reflection on matters of pedagogy that are too often taken as settled. In so doing, it seeks to reclaim teaching as the intellectually vibrant and intrinsically rewarding endeavor that it is.
- How to Prevent ChatGPT CheatingBy Erik Ofgang, Teaching & Learning
- What are We Doing About AI Essays?By Miriam Bowers-Abbott, Faculty Focus
- Aaronson, S. (2022, November 28). My AI safety lecture for UT Effective Altruism. Shtetl-Optimized: The blog of Scott Aaronson.
- Caren, C. (2022, December 15). AI writing: The challenge and opportunity in front of education now. Turnitin.
- Chechitelli, A. (2023, January 13). Sneak preview of Turnitin’s AI writing and ChatGPT detection capability. Turnitin.
- Wiggers, K. (2022, Decemer 10). OpenAI’s attempts to watermark AI text hit limits. TechCrunch.