We all knew it was coming, but we didn’t expect CheatGPT to be here so soon.
A new study from the University of Reading discovered that artificial intelligence can not only pass college exams but often outshines real students, remaining virtually undetected in the process.
Described as a real-world “Turing test,” the study involved submitting AI-generated exam answers alongside those of real students across five undergraduate psychology modules. An overwhelming 94% of the AI-written submissions went undetected by examiners, despite being entirely produced by an AI system without any human intervention.
But that wasn’t the only eye-opening part of the study. Not only did the AI submissions blend in seamlessly, but they also consistently outperformed their human counterparts. On average, the AI-generated answers scored half a grade letter higher than those of real students. In some instances, the AI advantage approached a full grade boundary, with AI submissions achieving first-class honors while human students lagged behind.
The study’s findings also suggest that current methods of detecting AI-generated content are becoming more and more inadequate, leaving educational institutions vulnerable to a new form of high-tech cheating.
“Many institutions have moved away from traditional exams to make assessment more inclusive,” said Peter Scarfe, an associate professor at Reading’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences. “Our research shows it is of international importance to understand how AI will affect the integrity of educational assessments.”
This raises some tough questions about the future of education and assessment. As AI technologies like ChatGPT become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, how can universities ensure the integrity of their exams and the value of their degrees? And is it morally or ethically wrong to use AI tools to complete assignments?
The internet is already split on the future of AI use in academia.
Some argue that students using AI know what they’re getting in to, and it’s their choice to use it or not.
Like if AI does a bad job, just grade the paper and give them the bad grade they deserve. If a student is regularly using AI to produce A-level work they probably know what theyre doing to some extent and are using it as a tool
— maya💗 (@mayaaaaaaahhh) July 9, 2024
Others argue that using AI is the same as plagiarism and is wrong to use for assignments.
Nah. If you are turning in something you did not write from your own brain, you are not completing the assignment and you should be failed. It is essentially the same thing as plagiarism. https://t.co/gcMvWy9LGg
— tara (@proletarat) July 10, 2024
There is not a single child that ever went to school and did not hear the phrase “in your own words.” Anyone supporting AI just chooses to ignore it and commit plagiarism. https://t.co/cTLk3JmARc
— Son of Karas (@QuandaryMan) July 10, 2024
For now, it seems like AI is here to stay, whether academic professionals or social media users like it.
