This week, it was revealed that in Massey University, at least 20 students were allegedly found using ChatGPT for cheating in an assessment. Until 5 PM on April 21, the university gave the youngsters a chance to ‘come forward and claim the amnesty’ with a pledge to submit the revised assignment for a maximum mark of 50%. Those who will not choose to avail the opportunity should face the consequences of their action as it would be determined by the academic integrity officer.
ChatGPT is an AI technology launched in November which has been used to produce essays quickly. The software retrieves information from the internet to refine its answers. In February, the University of Auckland suggested that staff use GPTZero and other detection tools to detect AI use and also try to modify the questions and structure of the assessment to make acceptable answers more complicated to generate.
Many universities are divided in opinion regarding the use of this technology to detect artificial intelligence in assignments. While some like the University of Waikato and Lincoln University have accepted the latest update of Turnitin which will be used to detect AI writing, Otaga University and Victoria University have refused to use it due to the low efficiency and lack of evidence about the technology.
Dr Paul Geertsema, of the University of Auckland and the Artificial Intelligence Researchers Association states that academic integrity is crucial and students should obey rules. But at the same time, he also believes that it is necessary to teach students to use AI models responsibly as it is common in the workplace. He further explains that the use of assessments that do not mandate AI models is just as important as those that require them.
Massey University has promised to use the latest Turnitin update for AI detection and has also adopted a policy to regulate the use of AI. It is a matter of importance that universities all over New Zealand take strict action to deal with academic integrity and disciplinary regulations. Furthermore, students must familiarize themselves with the responsible usage of AI tools to use them to their benefit.
