How Schools and Universities Use ChatGPT Detectors to Prevent AI Cheating

Image by cottonbro studio from Pexels It is hard to find a student who does not use AI tools to manage their writing assignments faster. Even though such tools can make student life easier and less stressful, they can also pose a significant challenge to the very foundations of education. When students submit AI-generated papers, it is impossible to check if they really understand what is written there. At the same time, the goal of an educational system is to ensure college graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to get a job and continue their professional development. The problem of AI-assisted cheating is now as relevant as ever.

That is why the numerous exams and writing assignments that students hate are a popular tool that allows instructors to check if students understand the material on a particular topic correctly. Many universities rely on a Сhat GPT detector to make sure the assignments teachers receive from students are free from AI-generated content. The presence of AI content signifies that students might have skipped the step of processing the information from textbooks and relied on the fast answers AI tools gave them. We’ve tried to explore the ways how schools detect AI text and what strategies universities are implementing to maintain academic integrity.

Integration of Detectors

Let’s learn more about ChatGPT detectors use in schools and explore the combination of technological solutions with educational initiatives.

Plagiarism Checkers

Some institutions integrate ChatGPT detectors into existing plagiarism detection software. It is easy to find students cheating with AI content and those who do not cite all the sources properly.

Learning Management Systems

Another way to use detectors is to integrate them into LMS platforms and rely on the automated analysis of student work submitted through the system. This approach is rather fast and provides faculty with immediate feedback.

Dedicated Platforms

To increase the accuracy of AI detection, universities use platforms that offer more advanced analysis and reporting features.

Policy Changes

Open communication with students about the methods of AI detection is one of the crucial steps in the process of detectors integration. Here are the most common approaches that universities choose:

Academic Integrity Policies Update

The first step is to update integrity policies to explicitly address the use of AI tools in academic work. As a rule, these policies define AI-assisted cheating as a form of plagiarism or academic misconduct.

The Definition of Permitted Use

Students should know and understand the essence of the academic rules to avoid breaking them. That is why some institutions try to determine the permissible use of AI tools in education. For example, students can use AI for brainstorming or proofreading but not for generating original content for assignments.

Consequences for Violations

What else can stop students from breaking the rules? In most cases, it is the fear of facing negative consequences. Updated policies outline the possible outcomes for students who are caught using AI to cheat - from failing grades to expulsion.

Educating Students

Even though using fear as a way to encourage students to manage their assignments without the help of AI tools is effective, it is also crucial to educate them about the reasons why maintaining academic integrity is a core necessity.

Ethical Implications

The majority of students might not fully grasp the ethical implications of using AI tools to cheat. In their world, it is just a faster and more effective way of finding and organizing information that is already there. Universities try to teach them about academic honesty and the potential long-term consequences of academic misconduct.

Critical Thinking Skills Improvement

Students rely on AI when they can’t draw logical conclusions after reading an article or a chapter in a textbook. Educational programs focus on developing students' critical thinking skills to help them evaluate information. Then, it becomes possible for them to craft their own arguments instead of relying on AI to generate content on a specific topic.

Understanding AI Limitations

One more crucial message that universities communicate is the imperfection of AI tools. They are not the ultimate answer to all the problems students face. After discovering the limitations of AI tools, such as their potential for bias and inaccuracy, students will reevaluate their reliability and start using AI responsibly and critically.

Faculty Training

But what about instructors? How do they integrate into the new system of AI detection? Here’s how:

AI-Generated Text Recognition

Faculty members undergo several training sessions to learn how to recognize the signs of AI-generated text - unusual patterns in sentence structure, vocabulary, and argumentation. Sometimes, it is so obvious that you don’t even need to use AI tools.

Designing AI-Resistant Assignments

Assignments that are less susceptible to AI cheating can be one more effective way to support students in taking an individual approach to their learning process without AI tools. For instance, oral presentations and in-class writing exercises can be a great substitution for the current approach to homework tasks.

Responsible Use of AI Tools

Instructors also need to know how to use AI tools ethically in their teaching and research processes. After all, they should lead students by example.

Alternative Assessment Strategies

What if writing assignments are no longer as effective as they were decades ago? Should universities focus on alternative assessment strategies? Some of them already do so.

Oral Examinations

Oral exams are one possible way to assess students' understanding of the material in a more direct and interactive way. It is impossible to rely on AI-generated responses when you are standing in front of your teacher and need to answer a question.

Project-Based Learning

Students need to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems when managing project-based assessments. The existing AI models are not that effective at this type of task, at least for now.

To Sum Up

No one will deny the fact that the emergence of AI writing tools like ChatGPT has presented a complex challenge to the educational process. Universities worldwide do everything possible to ensure that education remains a process of genuine intellectual development rather than a mere pursuit of grades achieved through AI tools. Will they win this battle with AI? We’ll see.