AI Misused: How Texas A&M Students Were Wrongly Accused of Cheating

A professor at Texas A&M University–Commerce allegedly misused AI software to assess students' final assignments, resulting in temporary diploma denials. The professor claimed to have used ChatGPT to detect AI-generated content, but the tool doesn't function that way and can even produce misinformation.

Students provided evidence that they hadn't used ChatGPT, including timestamps on their Google Docs, but the professor disregarded it. The situation escalated when students sought assistance from the university's dean and president, leading to in-person meetings to plead their case.

In an interesting turn, a redditor experimented with ChatGPT and found that it could have generated a section of the professor's own doctoral dissertation. The program confirmed this possibility. However, it clarified that it wouldn't have a record if someone used its abilities to draft an email.

While one student has been exonerated and received an apology, others have admitted to using ChatGPT earlier in the semester, complicating the situation for those who didn't. Texas A&M University is investigating the matter to determine if AI was used and to what extent.

This incident highlights the need for educators and administrators to understand the technology involved in AI-assisted assignments. While suspicion of cheating is valid, proper knowledge and use of reliable tools are crucial to avoid unfair consequences. The university is working to resolve the issue, and no students have been barred from graduating.