Recently, CBC reported on the increased plagiarism allegations at Memorial University of Newfoundland. The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly may seem innocuous enough, and students may be using them to assist with their papers. In fact, some professors even recommend students use Grammarly to check for grammar and spelling.  

But how do universities determine what does and doesn't fall into plagiarism territory—and more importantly, how, and are, they communicating it to students? It's not as clear-cut as you might think. Students facing accusations of plagiarism may not even be aware of their errors. If you or a loved one is currently handling allegations of plagiarism, The Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you protect your rights and ensure your educational efforts aren't wasted. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or tell us about your case online.  

Student Union Directory of Advocacy Weighs In  

Speaking to CBC, MacKenzie Broders commented on the complexity and nuance of the situation. She noted it's not that using Grammarly to spell check or verify grammar is a bad thing. Rather, “… what's happening is … [they] will rearrange your sentences, … maybe present your arguments in … a different way. And as soon as you're taking the text that's being generated by those programs and putting it in your paper, submitting it to a professor, that constitutes academic misconduct.” This creates uncertainty for students (and professors) around where the line lies.  
 
Adding to the challenges mentioned above is the fact that AI detectors aren't actually reliable. Broders shares the story of a student whose professor ran an assignment through a checker, and when the work came back as highly likely to be AI-generated, the student denied it. In the end, the professor retracted their allegations. Unfortunately, this isn't often the case for students facing allegations such as these.  

The Confusion Around AI Tools and Plagiarism Has a Nationwide Impact on All Students  

Students who've been accused of using AI to help with their assignments often get caught up in their school's complicated investigation and disciplinary proceedings. Many students may not have even read their handbook, which outlines their college or university's academic misconduct policy. It's important to speak with attorneys from the Lento Law Firm before the investigation process gets too underway. The student mentioned in the CBC article was lucky, but it's rare for allegations of academic misconduct to go away so quickly or for professors to rescind their accusations so readily. Don't wait until the appeal stage. Address it now.    

Best Nationwide Academic Integrity Attorneys for Your AI-Related Allegations 

If you or your loved one is facing the complexities of AI-related plagiarism or academic integrity allegations, remember you're not alone. Reach out to the experienced Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm for a consultation. Let us guide you as you navigate the process. Call us today at 888.535.3686, or reach out online and tell us more.