Academic Ethics Under Threat: Examining the Alleged Rise in School Cheating Linked to ChatGPT
Despite initial concerns about the potential impact of ChatGPT on high school cheating rates, a recent Stanford study indicates that such rates have remained relatively stable or even slightly decreased. Conducted through an anonymous survey at 40 US high schools, the study found that approximately 60% to 70% of students engage in cheating behavior, a percentage consistent with previous years.
Victor Lee, Stanford’s faculty lead for AI and education, emphasized that while there are isolated cases of AI being used for cheating, the overall evidence suggests minimal impact on high school students. The study also revealed that only 19% of teens aged 13 to 17 have utilized ChatGPT for schoolwork, indicating relatively low adoption within this demographic.
Student opinions on ChatGPT’s use varied, with many supporting its application in generating concepts or ideas for assignments but objecting to its use in writing papers. Reasons cited for student cheating included difficulty understanding subject material, time constraints, and performance pressure.
The study advocates for educators to involve student voices in discussions about AI, recognizing their insights and perspectives on the evolving role of AI in education. The researchers acknowledged that attitudes toward AI and its use in education may shift over time, depending on how schools choose to approach AI as a topic and tool.
Additionally, the study highlighted the evolving educational landscape, with some schools actively encouraging and teaching students how to effectively use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to enhance their learning experiences.
