Educators are exploring AI systems to keep students honest in the classroom
An education software company called Turn It In has developed a program that schools and universities can use to detect whether students are using AI to complete their tests and essays. Turn It In has a long history of developing tools that educators can use to detect plagiarism, and has now turned to an AI system that it says can effectively determine whether students are responsible for their own work, or whether they turned to an AI like ChatGPT. However, the tool is not foolproof, according to a test conducted at the University of Southern California.
According to a report from NBC News, Dr. Karen North, a professor at USC, found that while the tool can detect a large amount of AI-generated essays, some slip by and other authentic works receive false flags. Some students across the country have turned to ChatGPT to falsify homework, creating a massive problem for educators.
AI in education
Education is just one of the many areas where experts say AI already has or will have a significant impact in the coming years. Interest in AI exploded following the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT last year, a conversation tool that users can ask to draft up all sorts of written works, from college essays to movie scripts. As advanced as it is, however, experts say it is only the beginning of how AI can be used. Some industry leaders have signed a letter calling for a pause on AI development so that responsible limits and best practices can be put into place.
OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, argued that a pause in AI development is not the solution, saying "I think moving with caution and increasing rigor for safety issues is really important," he said in an interview. "The letter, I don't think is the optimal way to address it."
As educators continue to explore AI systems to combat cheating, it is undoubtedly a topic that will continue to be discussed and debated in the years to come.
