AI-assisted cheating, academic integrity and dishonesty – some challenges that universities have been coping with since the release of ChatGPT. Since the introduction of ChatGPT, many students including myself are using or have used ChatGPT. From my experience, it has made many tasks more efficient such as assignments. However why does it feel like a bit of cheating (depending on how generative AI is used).
Why is it not cheating? Well, generative AI is not solely used for generating text, also filtering, improving and correcting existing or self-written texts (Vázquez-Cano et al., 2023). So, it can be seen as a helpful tool that is widely accessible on the internet similarly to search engines. In addition, it could help students in term of managing time, anxiety and stress from the overpowering assignments and ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2023). For instance, spending less time looking for suitable sources and allocating the saved time towards reviewing and analysing.
Why is it cheating? Some academicians believe that using generative AI is the same plagiarism in terms of ethics (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2023). It might restrict the potential improvement of skills of students (Ali, 2023) similarly to cheating. Currently, different versions of ChatGPT are available which are not accessible for every use and a more advanced version might put students without access at a disadvantage (Cotton et al., 2023). Especially when it is said that peers using ChatGPT receive better grades compared to student not using any generative AI tools(Vázquez-Cano et al., 2023). As much as ChatGPT creates advantages, it can also increase the discrimination between students with or without access and willing or not willing to use. Even some students avoid using ChatGPT to avoid receiving cheating accusations and concerns about reliability (Vázquez-Cano et al., 2023). It is claimed that students with higher academic integrity use ChatGPT less in their assignments (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2023).
Research show not all academicians think that using AI is cheating, what do you think?
Let me know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below!
In my next post I will touch upon whether we should ban ChatGPT, so stay tuned!
REFERENCES
Ali, F., & ChatGPT OpenAI. (2023). Let the devil speak for itself: Should ChatGPT be allowed or banned in hospitality and tourism schools? Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism, 2(1), 1–6. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2771-5957.2.1.1016
Bin-Nashwan, S.A., Sadallah, M., & Bouteraa, M. (2023). Use of ChatGPT in academia: Academic integrity hangs in the balance. Technology in Society, 75, 102370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102370
Cotton, D.R.E., Cotton, P.A., & Reuben Shipway, J. (2023). Chatting and cheating: ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148
Vázquez-Cano, E., Ramírez-Hurtado, J.M., Sáez-López, S.M., & López-Meneses, E. (2023). ChatGPT: The Brightest student in the class. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 49, 101380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101380
