Ever since ChatGPT had its rapid rise to popularity, concerned parents and educators have worried about its implications as a readily accessible tool for cheating on schoolwork—plagiarism with a few extra steps. While it's true that students have been punished at grade schools and universities, including Yale, for turning in AI-generated work as their own, a recent study by the University of the Basque Country in Spain has found that there is virtually no cause-and-effect relationship between ChatGPT usage and plagiarism.

Instead, the researchers assert that the two main factors influencing a student's use of plagiarism are “being surrounded by a ‘cheating culture' and ‘lacking motivation for academic work.”

The implications here are important. Schools should examine their academic integrity policies to ensure that AI tools like ChatGPT aren't unreasonably restricted from use and, more importantly, that students who are accused of using AI text generators aren't summarily punished without a further examination of what actually happened. If you or your child have faced academic repercussions—up to and including expulsion from a school or university—for allegedly using AI, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can help. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online for your confidential consultation.

Defending Your Rights as a Student

Artificial Intelligence is working its way into almost every aspect of modern life, from international financial systems to predictive text options on your phone. It's unreasonable to expect that the education world will somehow prevent AI from taking hold there as well.

Unfortunately, schools and universities are also home to some of the most draconian and outdated behavioral policies in the modern world. The idea of zero-tolerance is still alive and well in classrooms across the nation, including when it comes to using AI in an educational setting.

The study by the University of the Basque Country is just one example of how such policies can fail to address important contextual information in allegations of academic misconduct. The study's findings are an important reminder that cheating is, first and foremost, a product of an unhealthy culture, and culture is a function of the school or university itself.

If you or your child are facing allegations of academic misconduct, including for the use of AI or allegations of plagiarism, don't put your future in jeopardy. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is ready to defend your rights. We'll conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, gathering evidence and testimony that will show the whole picture of what happened. We'll help you navigate the entire process and will be by your side from the moment you contact us until a satisfactory resolution has been reached. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to find out how we can help you.