Introduction to the Issue of Cheating with AI
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools has become a complex and confusing issue, especially when it comes to cheating. A teacher tells a student not to use AI in a research assignment, but when the student does a browser search, an AI-generated explanation pops up unprompted. Has the student just cheated? This scenario raises questions about what counts as cheating with AI and how schools can navigate the use and misuse of AI.
The Prevalence of Cheating
Valencia High School English teacher Casey Cuny, a 23-year veteran, says, "The cheating is off the charts. It’s the worst I’ve seen in my entire career." He assumes that any assignment sent home is being completed with the help of AI. Researchers at Stanford, led by Denise Pope and Victor Lee, have concluded that the prevalence of cheating does not appear to be greater than before AI. What’s changed is the technology that underpins cheating.
Evolving Nature of Cheating
The Stanford study, which began well before the public availability of ChatGPT, found that students report anonymously on behaviors within the last month, including looking at someone else’s answer during a test, using crib sheets, and hiding textbooks in bathroom stalls. New behaviors include using AI to write all or parts of papers or using it to summarize books that the student will never read. The researchers concluded that cheating was common before AI — and it remains so. It is the nature of cheating that is evolving.
Addressing Cheating
Given what AI can do, graded work that is completed at home could become an assignment of the past. Instead, teachers are moving to timed in-class essays written by hand. But every potential solution also has limitations. Some students underperform on high-stakes, timed tests, while many lack fast and fluid handwriting skills. Some teachers lock down classroom computers during a test to allow keyboarding but no internet access.
The Role of Technology in Cheating
There’s also rapidly improving technology to defeat just about any cheating remedy: smart glasses, smart earbuds, special smartwatches, and even smart pens with tiny screens that can scan test content. The more elevated strategy is to address why students cheat. Sometimes the issue is "overload in terms of work — homework or job responsibilities, taking care of family." Students can feel that an assignment is busy work or not understand its purpose.
Minimizing Cheating
At least some of the reasons for cheating can be tamped down, resulting in less cheating. "Learning can be fun and joyful, and I think we’ve conflated pain and suffering with learning," said Michael Hernandez, an L.A.-area high school teacher and author. "Go back to the basics of what good learning is about. And it doesn’t mean going back to the basics of handwriting essays in class. It means going back to purpose, passion, agency, inquiry, curiosity, and excitement."
Choosing Harder-to-Cheat-On Assignments
Experts cited the performance of a play or skit or writing an article for a school newspaper — although AI can inform and improve the latter — that can be part of the learning. Students could be asked to give oral presentations without notes to show what they know. To replace traditional tests, some experts want teachers to rely more on assigning group and individual longer-term projects and on building portfolios over time that demonstrate academic progress and in-depth knowledge.
The Future of AI in Education
Instructors "are the linchpin in whether AI enhances or undermines learning," according to a new USC study. "Students are more likely to use AI in deeper, more educational ways when professors provide clear guidance." AI use is expanding quickly, with the share of 13- to 17-year-olds using AI doubling from 13% to 26% in one year, from 2023 to 2024. Experts believe the explosive increase has continued, with nearly all college students using AI to some degree.
Nuanced Scenarios
Educators are grappling with many nuanced scenarios. If AI solves a calculus problem or writes an essay for a student, that would match just about any definition of cheating. But what if a student did not understand the calculus lesson — and what if an AI explanation provided for one problem helped the student solve the next three on his own? What if the student integrated various AI answers into her own essay — but did not understand when it is acceptable to quote verbatim or what needs to be referenced to original sources? Is that a cheating issue or a learning challenge?
Conclusion
The issue of cheating with AI is complex and multifaceted. While AI can be used to cheat, it can also be a powerful tool for learning. Educators must navigate the use and misuse of AI, providing clear guidance and setting up assessment systems that expect original work. By addressing the reasons why students cheat and choosing harder-to-cheat-on assignments, educators can minimize cheating and promote a culture of academic integrity.
FAQs
- Q: What is considered cheating with AI?
A: Cheating with AI includes using AI to complete assignments, such as writing essays or solving math problems, without the teacher’s knowledge or permission. - Q: How common is cheating with AI?
A: Research suggests that cheating was common before AI and remains so, but the nature of cheating is evolving with the use of new technologies. - Q: How can educators prevent cheating with AI?
A: Educators can prevent cheating by setting up assessment systems that expect original work, choosing harder-to-cheat-on assignments, and providing clear guidance on the use of AI. - Q: What is the role of AI in education?
A: AI can be a powerful tool for learning, but it can also be used to cheat. Educators must navigate the use and misuse of AI to promote a culture of academic integrity. - Q: How can students use AI responsibly?
A: Students can use AI responsibly by understanding when it is acceptable to quote verbatim or reference original sources, and by using AI to inform and improve their own work rather than replacing it.
