A Reasonable Solution to Prevent Cheating Among College Students

Who Use Artificial Intelligence

Decades ago, as a college student, I did not have access to Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was something that just didn’t exist, but I’m sure it was a program that many people dreamed could become a reality. But now, with the technology that exists, AI can do what humans do, but at a much faster rate. AI’s capacity includes doing homework and class assignments that students normally do themselves. The time it took me to research and write my college papers many years ago can literally be done with AI in a matter of seconds.

As I self-reflect on the time I spent going to the library and conducting research, today’s students simply input what they want ChatGPT to do, and it simply does it for them. Rather than professors giving grades based on merit and hard work, some students are receiving high grades they do not deserve. With all this in mind, what can we do as a collegiate society to curb cheating among college students who use AI?

Well, there is a tangible way that can at least reduce this rapidly growing problem. First and foremost, the administering of in-class exams should be required rather than optional. During in-class exams, computers should not be allowed to be used. Rather, students must be required to use the Examination Blue Book, a standard test booklet used by college students to write their essay responses to examination questions. I think that returning to this hallmark in higher education will help decrease cheating using AI. Although many students will continue to use AI when completing their homework assignments, they won’t be able to cheat on their in-class exams due to the use of the Blue Book. These in-class essay exams should be weighed at a much higher-grade percentage than their out of class assignments, which are more difficult to assess whether they were done with the assistance of AI.

And there it is, my solution to prevent cheating among college students who use AI. It may be an old-fashioned one, but it serves as a effective method to resolving an ever emerging challenge in higher education.

Ethically speaking,

Obiora N. Anekwe