Alleged misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) resources by a student could lead to a suspension, rather than expulsion. The severity of sanctions a student might ultimately face can depend on the effectiveness of their defense against the misconduct allegation(s).

You may be able to evade discipline altogether with the right advocate leading your defense. You should not wait to speak with the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team, as we can explain the range of possible outcomes to the accusations you’re facing—including the best-case outcome.

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss the allegations against you and how we can help you overcome those allegations.

What Acts Qualify as “AI Misuse”?

The definition of “AI misuse” lies in each university’s or professor’s AI usage policy. What one school or professor considers entirely acceptable use of an AI resource might be considered strictly prohibited conduct at another institution.

If university-wide or professor-specific policies state as much, “AI misuse” could include:

  • Using generative artificial intelligence in any academic capacity, as certain schools and professors have zero-tolerance policies towards students using generative AI in their work

  • Passing off AI-generated text (such as an essay or answer to an online test question) as the student’s own work

  • Using an AI resource to conduct research (when instructed not to do so)

  • Rewriting AI-generated text

  • Having an AI generate code or other technical work

  • Using AI to solve math equations

  • Using generative AI without disclosing their use, even if their use case would have otherwise been permitted by their professor

Most universities, like Vanderbilt, “empower” professors to “establish their own policies on the use of generative AI in the classroom.” These professor-level policies can differ drastically in what they permit and prohibit.

It is critical that students take every available measure to clarify their professors’ AI usage policies, as written policies are not always comprehensive. Should a student be accused of violating these policies, their very enrollment at the university could be jeopardized.

Can I Be Suspended or Expelled If I’m Found Responsible for Misusing an AI Resource?

In certain cases, students can be temporarily or permanently removed from their university if they’re deemed guilty of academic misconduct.

As an example, The City University of New York (CUNY) explains that “Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.”

The same CUNY policies also cite “unauthorized use” of “artificial intelligence systems” as a form of academic dishonesty. Connecting the dots, we see that certain forms of unauthorized AI use can result in suspension or expulsion.

The range of disciplinary sanctions for alleged AI misuse might also include:

  • A warning

  • A formal reprimand (which may or may not be visible to prospective employers and others who view the student’s file)

  • Grade penalties (which might occur at the assignment or course level)

  • Behavioral or academic probation

  • Loss of privileges

  • Exclusion from honor societies, leadership positions, and certain clubs

  • Loss of financial aid

  • Withholding of a degree

Oftentimes, academic misconduct results in academic penalties. However, your university may have the authority to impose sanctions that affect you financially, professionally, and even socially, psychologically, and emotionally.

Is There a Chance I Can Avoid Discipline After Being Accused of AI-Related Misconduct?

Accusing a student of using AI improperly should never be sufficient grounds for discipline. The accusation is merely the catalyst for an adjudication process. If the student defends themselves effectively from the allegation of AI misuse, that student may avoid discipline entirely.

The LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team has helped many accused students dodge discipline. This includes both cases in which the student had committed the alleged offense and those in which the student was accused without merit.

We are the team you want fighting for you when you are accused of improper use of one or more AI resources.

What Factors May Affect the Outcome of Disciplinary Proceedings?

When an accusation of improper AI use arises, the range of possible outcomes is vast. The matter might be dismissed after a cursory evaluation from a Dean. The case could result in the student’s expulsion. So what determines where a given accusation will lead?

Some of the most influential factors that can affect the outcome of an AI-related misconduct allegation are:

  • The accused student’s response to the initial allegation: A case can turn dramatically depending on whether a student accepts responsibility for alleged AI misuse or denies wrongdoing.

  • The student’s response to proposed sanctions: Accused students are frequently given the chance to accept fault and resolve the matter by accepting sanctions. When they accept sanctions, they also accept the harm that those sanctions cause.

  • The weight of beneficial and unfavorable evidence and testimony: When evidence and testimony is generally favorable, a student may be better able to avoid sanctions or negotiate a favorable disciplinary agreement.

  • The accused student’s ability to avoid costly mistakes: Even an imperceptible mistake during the adjudication process may change the outcome of the disciplinary matter. Our Student Defense Team ensures that accused students make no such mistakes.

Those tasked with adjudicating the claim of misconduct are also vitally important. If they respect the student’s right to due process and handle the case in good faith, the likelihood of a fair outcome rises. If they don’t, an accused student is in immediate jeopardy of being unfairly suspended or expelled.

In our view, the most critical factor in a disciplinary proceeding’s outcome is the effectiveness of the accused student’s representatives. An honest, experienced, aggressive advocate will not rest until they have secured the best-case outcome for the accused student.

You get such honest, experienced, aggressive advocacy when you engage our Student Defense Team. We immediately adapted our decades of student-defense work to address the unique challenges that AI has posed to students and their universities. We are no strangers to AI misuse accusations, nor the defensive strategies that help accused students avoid suspension, expulsion, and other devastating discipline.

Time is of the essence whenever misconduct allegations are in the air, so call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online as soon as possible.

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