ChatGPT is an A.I. tool that can be easily abused to cheat in academic assignments. To deter students from the potential of AI-assisted cheating, Manitoba colleges and universities are putting in measures in place to ensure academic integrity is upheld.
Francois Jordaan, an Academic Integrity Specialist at the University of Manitoba commented that the use of A.I. should not be off limits for students, provided that it is properly referenced. He further warns of the dire consequences if a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing with the assistance of A.I.: From getting an F for the course to being suspended and even potential expulsion.
Nadine Ogborn of the RRC Polytech commented that while academic integrity breaches can occur, the majority of students are actually academically honest. She credits the small class size and strong relationships built between instructors and students as the main line of defense against potential cheating.
Instructors can tell if something is amiss by comparing the student’s work with what they have seen from the student in the past. They are also able to detect potentially cheating assignments by asking questions to the student and flagging the suspicious work. Further emphasizing Jordaan’s point, academics consider the creation of an assignment to be akin to a fingerprint, hence making it difficult for students to get away with cheating.
Therefore, students are warned to be mindful of the consequences should they attempt to take advantage of A.I. to cheat. Academic dishonesty is not worth the risk, as even being suspected of cheating can have dire consequences that may even include expulsion. It is important to remember that universities prioritize academic integrity and will take active measures to ensure it is upheld.
