Universities typically have policies regarding academic integrity and plagiarism. Students are expected to submit their own original work, so using ChatGPT or other AI text generations to write assignments could be considered a violation of academic integrity policies.
Since the release of ChatGPT, colleges and universities have recognized the need to formulate specific policies regarding how the use of generative AI fits in with existing academic integrity policies.
University Policies on AI Writing Tools - Overview & List provides information on the policies of 100 universities in the United States which was last updated on May 30, 2023.
Caught Off Guard by AI: Professors Scrambled To React to ChatGPT this Spring — and Started Planning for the Fall, Beth McMurtrie and Beckie Supiano, Chronicle of Higher Education, June 13, 2023
The increasing use of generative AI systems like ChatGPT in academic settings has raised concerns about cheating and academic integrity. Professors and teaching assistants are grappling with questions about what constitutes cheating, whether AI should be banned from the classroom, and how to handle cases of AI-generated work. A survey conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education found that students have been using ChatGPT in various ways, from submitting AI-generated essays without modifications to using it for brainstorming or polishing their writing. Some instructors detected AI use through common-sense observations and detection tools, but proving AI usage can be time-consuming. Responses from faculty members revealed a range of attitudes towards AI, with some considering any use of AI as cheating and others incorporating it into their teaching to prepare students for an AI-infused world. Many instructors expressed the need for clearer guidelines and policies regarding AI use in the classroom. As the use of AI tools continues to evolve, educators face the challenge of striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and upholding academic integrity.