Hannah, a university student, recalls the stress of juggling tight deadlines while recovering from Covid. “We had two deadlines really close together and I just ran out of steam,” she says. “I felt incredibly stressed and just under enormous pressure to do well. I was really struggling, and my brain had completely given up.” In a moment of desperation, she turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to assist her with one of her essays.
Using a pseudonym, Hannah now warns her peers about the potential repercussions of employing generative AI for cheating at university. Her case reached an academic misconduct panel, which has the authority to expel students found guilty of academic dishonesty. This situation exemplifies the challenge universities face in promoting AI literacy while discouraging unethical practices.
Hannah’s use of AI was detected when her lecturer utilized detection software on her essay. “My stomach was in knots as I sat outside the office thinking, ‘this was really stupid,'” she admits. Fortunately for her, the panel found insufficient evidence to take action, despite her confession. “I could have been kicked out,” she reflects, viewing the outcome as a stern warning to other students.
So, what is AI? Generative AI can mimic human thought and decision-making by analyzing information from surrounding contexts and determining the best course of action. Currently, universities are working to understand the capabilities of AI applications and to establish guidelines for their responsible use.
Dr. Sarah Lieberman, a reader in politics and international relations at Canterbury Christchurch University, has begun to notice AI’s influence in student work. “I’ve observed it not so much in entire essays but often in segments,” she explains. “If someone has used it for a whole essay, it usually lacks cohesion; it doesn’t flow like a single piece of writing.” She likens recognizing AI writing to distinguishing a robotic voice from familiar voices at home. “They don’t write good essays; they don’t think critically.”
However, Dr. Lieberman sees potential benefits in using AI as a tool for students. “If we can teach them how to use it—like posing initial questions to generate a literature list to explore—then it could be incredibly useful,” she adds.
Some universities impose strict bans on AI usage unless specifically authorized, while others permit AI for grammar and vocabulary checks or allow its inclusion in assessments if properly credited.
At a bar on the outskirts of Canterbury, students shared their views on AI. Taylor expressed an open-minded stance, stating, “You’ve got to embrace it. You can ask it questions, and it helps you out. It’s good for exam prep too.” In contrast, Myah prefers to do the work herself: “I’ve never been one to use it; I’d rather say, ‘I’ve done it.’ But I know a lot of people do.” Zyren recounted a conflict with a friend who freely admitted to extensively using AI, saying, “A part of me felt annoyed as it hit me that they might get a higher score than me.”
Tommy Hills, a teacher and freelance computer science lecturer, reinforces the notion that AI is still evolving. “There’s something called ‘hallucinations,'” he warns, referring to instances when AI fabricates information. “It’s crucial to treat AI like any other academic source: verify facts instead of relying solely on it.”
Research from the University of Reading highlighted that AI-generated exam answers are often challenging to detect, even for seasoned markers. In response to these developments, Universities UK acknowledged the risks associated with AI in assessments and emphasized their commitment to uphold academic integrity through strict codes of conduct against cheating.
The Quality Assurance Agency underscored the need for a balanced approach—maintaining high academic standards while equipping students with valuable AI skills for their future careers. A Department for Education representative stated, “Generative AI has great potential to transform the Higher Education sector…but integrating it will require careful consideration to harness benefits and mitigate risks.”
