Maintaining academic integrity is high on the list of priorities for colleges and universities around the world. To prevent cheating during exams, administrators used online proctors and invasive technology to monitor students remotely. After numerous complaints and a few lawsuits to boot, administrators realized that they needed to update their methods – but their options remained limited. All of this is likely to change with the emergence of new technology from Dubai with game-changing potential. However, it comes with a price to students, especially if they are innocent.

According to a recent article posted by The Middle East North Africa Financial Network, a research team from the Canadian University in Dubai is developing technology to counter academic misconduct. The tech uses machine learning to identify cheating by analyzing exam grades after testing. Using an algorithm that sequences grades from quizzes, midterms, and final exams of the entire class, the program gauges overall performance to make its assessments.

The project, spearheaded by a team of researchers and collaborators, has the potential to supplement the work of traditional plagiarism detecting software. However, just as it has its benefits, the program is likely to come with multiple caveats – potentially destroying a student's reputation in the process.

What are the Risks of These Technologies?

Despite the incredible advances in machine learning technology, using it to detect cheating by analyzing class performance is tricky. Students may realize, for example, that they lag behind their peers academically after their midterms and study better for their final exams. The algorithm may erroneously flag a student's work as cheating, despite not doing more than being better prepared for their test.

These false positives may also flag multiple students at once, causing an even bigger headache for administrators than intended. Given that the Canadian University in Dubai is one of the highest-ranked globally, this technology could place students with inconsistent performance under significant stress. It is difficult to prove that they did not cheat on their exam, given that it is their word against an algorithm.

Although this technology is not yet available in the United States, it could be a catalyst for developing similar programs much closer to home. For students and administrators alike, the repercussions of the tech's findings can cause more problems than it solves, especially if the student is working towards a graduate degree or specialization.

How Can an Attorney Help?

As the world accelerates its use of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, students are increasingly at risk of erroneous findings due to tech's imperfect nature. When it's a student's word against a program, the issue becomes infinitely more complex.

That's why students need the help of an experienced advisor like Attorney Joseph D. Lento, who helps them fight back against harmful sanctions. If you or someone you love are facing cheating allegations, don't wait before it's too late. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for a discreet consultation.