Manitoba Colleges Address A.I.-Assisted Cheating
As artificial intelligence (A.I.) becomes more accessible to students, Manitoba colleges are taking proactive measures to combat the potential of A.I.-assisted cheating. One example of A.I. technology that has become popular among students is ChatGPT, which has the ability to write in-depth essays in record time. While this tool significantly reduces research time and makes writing assignments easier, it is considered cheating to use it as a quick 'copy and paste' tool.
Academic integrity specialist at the University of Manitoba Francois Jordaan noted that using A.I. in academics is permissible if students reference it properly. However, if students try to present A.I.-generated work as their own, it constitutes academic misconduct, and universities take academic integrity very seriously.
Academic integrity breaches have always existed, with students using a range of tools to cheat, according to Nadine Ogborn from RRC Polytech. However, she remarked that the majority of students are academically honest, with academic integrity breaches being the exception rather than the norm.
Manitoba colleges are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best. Instructors are seen as the biggest line of defence, given the small class sizes in applied learning institutions. They can build strong relationships with students and recognize when a student's work looks drastically different from their previous work or their capabilities.
Jordaan warned that if a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing with A.I.'s assistance, the outcomes are severe, ranging from receiving an F for the course to being suspended or even being expelled. Although students may not get caught, the consequences are severe, and it is not worth the risk. Ultimately, students pay a lot of money to learn, acquire new skills, and progress into unique positions, so cheating undermines their goals.
