As we approach the first anniversary of the introduction of ChatGPT, many schools and media outlets are reporting on the current status of AI technology in schools and predicting future trends. Five factors will shape AI's impact on primary and secondary schools in 2024, according to K-12 Dive.

School Districts will issue more comprehensive guidance on AI.

School districts are now attempting to clarify the rules for using AI, especially those regarding plagiarism and cheating. While clearer policies are welcome, school districts often adopt them without adequate knowledge and expertise. Students accused of cheating based on faulty policy statements should contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team.

Allegations of plagiarism or cheating are some of the most damaging charges a student can face. If your student has been accused of using AI-generated content, call the Lento Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or provide your details online, and we will contact you.

More teachers will lean into AI.

More teachers are starting to use AI technology, but most are not receiving training on using it effectively and fairly. AI may make teachers' jobs a little easier, which is a welcome development, but most teachers are not trained to address AI's possibilities.

Equity issues persist.

As the use of AI continues, differences in access to this technology become critical. Many students use the free version of ChatGPT (3.5), while others have access to the paid version (ChatGPT 4). ChatGPT 4 is a more intelligent version of the same tool—it works better and produces superior answers. Private schools are more likely to have better AI tools than public schools. Wealthy districts have better AI tools than less affluent districts. In short, a tremendous amount of inequity regarding access to AI technology is present now, and that trend will only worsen.

These differences become critical for students accused of using AI technology or cheating. If some students have access to tools that allow them to use AI more freely, it has implications for fairness and equity for other students.

School Districts should use caution amid AI ‘gold rush.'

School districts have spent huge amounts of money on AI tools, many of which provide little or nothing in return to the school. This has been a particular issue for AI detection software. Many universities have stopped using AI detection software altogether, as the chances of false positives (and false accusations) from the software are too high.

Any student accused of cheating based on this software should contact the Lento Law Firm immediately. We have experience representing students accused of plagiarism based on ChatGPT detection tools.

AI watermarking is ‘futile.'

In 2023, the President signed an Executive Order calling for authentication and watermarking tools for AI-generated content. Tech experts caution that this technology is likely not possible because it is evolving too fast for such watermarking technology to “catch up.”

The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team

If you have been accused of misconduct in using AI-generated content, call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team. This area is rapidly evolving, but our attorneys are current on these issues. The Lento Law Firm is experienced in representing students accused of cheating and plagiarism, including accusations based on AI-generated content. Call us at 888.535.3686 or provide your details online, and we will contact you.