The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) is raising ethical concerns by negatively impacting the learning environment in schools. The reliance on AI technology is creating or increasing the problem of academic dishonesty that will eventually affect student’s academic and professional life in the future. With the rise of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), there has been an unfortunate increase in the number of cheating cases as students are using AI to solve math homework problems and write essays bypassing plagiarism detection software. Such actions undermine the integrity of education and slowly diminish the trust in the academic system.
When students turn to AI tools for shortcuts instead of engaging deeply with the learning material, they miss out on opportunities that help build essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and critical analysis that are vital for success in both academic and professional endeavors. A recent study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania shows that educators are concerned that if students do not learn the underlying concepts independently and rely on AI tools for answers, they would not build the fundamental skills needed to solve complex problems in the future. Also, research demonstrates that students who prioritize finding quick answers over understanding the concepts through analysis not only fail to master the content but also stunt their intellectual growth. Another study published by researchers at Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University found that the more humans rely on AI tools to complete tasks and minimize mental effort, the less they engage in critical thinking, making it harder to apply these skills when needed in the workplace.
Policymakers have a role in reshaping educational practices by setting statutes that clarify the acceptable and unacceptable use of AI in education. Unambiguous guidelines around academic integrity is imperative to help students understand that academic dishonesty is not just about punishment, but it also prevents them from gaining valuable learning experiences. By leveraging AI as a tool for idea generation and learning with guardrails, students will be able to provide their own insights and succeed in the modern world while upholding academic integrity.
Key questions to address are:
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/without-guardrails-generative-ai-can-harm-education/.
https://edpolicyinca.org/publications/state-education-policy-and-new-artificial-intelligence.
