In simple terms artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of making computer programs that can think like humans. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence technology that can produce various types of content, including text, imagery, audio, and synthetic data. When computer engineers create software that mimics human intelligence, problem solving, and content creation there should be an ethical debate on the benefits and disadvantages of how AI is applied to serve the user, especially when writing graded college papers.

Should Students Use AI to Write Graded College Papers?

Like all new technology introduced in academia there needs to be clear university policies that support academic integrity and help students avoid pitfalls that can get them in trouble with plagiarism issues.

In the classroom, college professors must communicate clearly what is acceptable and not acceptable for students when completing course assessments, projects, exams, papers, etc. This includes communicating consequences for students who either ignore assignment expectations or use technology that has been forbidden to be used because the content generated is not their original authentic work. The goal of academic writing assignments is for the student to demonstrate original critical thinking in their writing, that displays their command of the course content and learning objectives and demonstrate their orginal critical analysis of the published scholarly literature on the topic explored.

If you are not sure about the technology that you are using to produce your college paper, then ask your college course professor. Simply asking can help the student avoid mistakes that have consquences such as failing an assignment or even failing the class. Academic dishonesty when discovered, will not be ignored. Universities and colleges are accredited and must follow the best learning and teaching practices established by their governing bodies to ensure academic integrity.

Using Grammarly to Help Edit College Papers

Most universities and colleges use plagiarism software to check for academic integrity when papers have been submitted. A commonly used software is Turnitin (TII). Turnitin is an originality checking and plagiarism prevention software that checks for citation mistakes or inappropriate copying. When you submit your paper, Turnitin compares it to text in its massive database of student work, websites, books, articles, etc., and generates a matching report. Your classroom professor will evaluate your report based on the TII matching report and it is the classroom professor’s responsibility to determine if a plagiarism violation has occurred based on the evidence provided. There could be original sections of the paper that the student generated and other sections of the same paper that are not the original work of the student but passed off as their own work. The matching percentage does not automatically mean plagiarism occurred. It is the responsibility of the classroom professor to make that determination based on university, school, and program policies on writing integrity.   

Grammarly uses generative AI. This means when your paper is submitted, the TII software will also be checking to see if any type of AI was used. Using Grammarly will leave an AI footprint on your paper and the TII matching report highlights the sections of the paper that had AI help. Do not use Grammarly to help write or edit your college papers if you cannot use AI to generate software in your graded writing assignments. Using Grammarly to write college papers has caused many students to unknowingly violate university policies on academic integrity.

One easy and simple way to avoid AI issues with your college graded writing is to use the Word advance spellchecker function. The Word spellchecker tool can help edit for English and grammar errors without leaving an AI footprint. Remember the goal of academic writing is to demonstrate original and authentic content so the writer can demonstrate critical thinking in their own voice.

Final Thoughts on AI and Term Papers

AI is changing how the world creates content in all forms. The benefits of AI applications are almost limitless as new ways of using AI software are being explored every day.  

With that being said, AI should not be used in graded college writing assignments unless both the classroom professor and students have a clear understanding of AI use expectations and approval before work is submitted. If the writing assignment expectations are for students to use their own original voice in their papers without any AI generated content, then it is the student’s responsibility to meet these expectations and the professor’s professional obligation to clearly communicate expectations to avoid unnecessary conflict that can derail their learning experience.

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About the Author

Mark Bond has worked in law enforcement and has been a firearms instructor for more than 33 years. His law enforcement experience includes the military, local, state, and federal levels as a police officer and criminal investigator. Mark obtained a BS and MS in criminal justice, and M.Ed in educational leadership with Summa Cum Laude honors. As a lifelong learner, he holds a doctoral degree in education (EdD) with a concentration in college teaching and learning. Mark is currently an associate professor of human justice studies.