Students Believe Using ChatGPT To Finish Assignments Is Cheating, Study Finds

While 57 percent of students stated they did not plan to use AI tools to complete coursework or exams, 32 percent admitted to using them

Majority of students agreed that AI cannot replace human intelligence or creativity.

A recent report has highlighted that more than half of college students believe that using AI tools to complete assignments or exams is cheating or plagiarism. The BestColleges report, which surveyed 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, found that 43 percent of students have used AI tools for personal projects, out of curiosity, or for fun. Of those who have tried AI tools, 90 percent used them for these reasons. However, while 57 percent of students stated they did not plan to use AI tools to complete coursework or exams, 32 percent admitted to using them.

When it comes to using AI tools for schoolwork, the report found that 50 percent of students used AI for some parts of their assignment but completed the majority themselves. Only 30 percent of students used AI for the majority of their assignment, while 17 percent used AI to complete an assignment and turned it in with no edits.

While many students are concerned about the impact of AI on their education and future careers, a significant number are more concerned about the impact of AI on society as a whole. The report found that 48 percent of students were worried about the impact of AI on society, while 31 percent were concerned about its impact on their careers. Only 27 percent were worried about the impact of AI on their education.

Despite these concerns, the majority of students (63 percent) agreed that AI cannot replace human intelligence or creativity. Nevertheless, while 54 percent of students said their instructors had not openly discussed the use of AI tools, most students (60 percent) felt that neither their schools nor their instructors had provided guidance on how to use AI tools ethically or responsibly.

Although there is still debate about whether AI tools should be banned from the classroom, the report suggests that it is important for schools and instructors to provide guidance on how to use AI tools responsibly. Around 40 percent of students believe that the use of AI by students defeats the purpose of education. By providing clear guidance, schools and instructors can help students to understand how to use AI tools to enhance their learning and improve their understanding of the subject matter.