ChatGPT and other AI tools have changed the playing field in many areas, including the academic realm. No school can be expected to accept a paper that is completely written by artificial intelligence, but there are many shades of gray. 

One of them came to light recently in the state of Georgia. A student at the University of North Georgia Dahlonega Campus was placed on academic probation for submitting a paper that was flagged by AI detection software. She contends that it was completely original, but she used Grammarly to proofread the finished product. 

Contact The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team 

Everything that you have worked for can be jeopardized by an allegation of student misconduct. The stakes are high in these situations, and The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can be engaged to act as your advocate. To set the wheels in motion, send us a message or call us at 888-535-3686. 

AI Detection Software 

Schools utilize AI and plagiarism detection software to determine if the papers that are submitted are completely original. The student at the center of this University of Georgia case insists that her paper was inaccurately flagged by the AI detection tool that was utilized. 

Are these tools infallible? University of Maryland researchers Soheil Feizi and Furong Huang attempted to answer this question last year. Feizi stated that AI detection software is not completely reliable in practical settings, and Feizi concurred with that assessment. 

Unclear Guidelines 

The student who is facing disciplinary action stated that she was aware of classmates using Grammarly, and she said that some of her professors encouraged students to use the popular extension. It is commonly relied upon in the business world, and some companies require its utilization. 

According to a university spokesperson, the rules for student cheating with ChatGPT and similar AI tools are spelled out in the syllabi and the formal Student Code of Conduct. However, her statement did not specifically mention the Grammarly extension. 

For their part, Grammarly states that their product is not powered by generative AI, but they are aware that its use can generate what they consider to be false positives. 

Student Integrity 

The student in this case was a junior who had received a scholarship, and she says she carried a 3.0 GPA when she was accused. She is adamant about the integrity of her work, and it would seem as though her academic history should give her some credibility. 

Call The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team Right Now 

It can feel like you are up against an immovable force when you are a student who is facing disciplinary action. Your life's trajectory can be altered forever if you are labeled as a plagiarist, but you don't have to go it alone. 

Our student misconduct defense attorneys will present your side of the story to level the playing field. To request a consultation appointment, call us at 888-535-3686 or send us a message through our contact form, and we will get back in touch with you ASAP.