Artificial Intelligence and Cheating

Are you wondering if using artificial intelligence (AI) in your academic work is considered cheating?
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and there are specific programs that you might be tempted to use to “help” you complete your academic assignments – ChatGPT, DALL-E, PhotoMath,Co-Pilot, Caktus, Elicit, Perplexity, Fermat, Minerva, Grammarly, ResearchRabbit and Obsidian, just to name a few.

There are two quick questions you can ask yourself to determine if and when it is okay to use these tools – and when it is not.

Is the resource/tool doing the thing for you that is being assessed?
Take a look at the learning objectives for the course, as well as for the assignment/test – make sure you’re doing the work that is being assessed. If spelling, for example, isn’t being assessed, then you can use a spell checker. However, if your language skills are being assessed, then you shouldn’t use ChatGPT or Google Translate (for example).
Is the resource/tool allowed by the course instructor?
If you use a tool/resource that has been prohibited OR if you use one that is not explicitly allowed, then you might be cheating. Also, keep in mind when professors prohibit certain things, they may use general terms – e.g., “no use of artificial intelligence” – because it is impossible for them to list every single tool/resource. If the instructions aren’t clear, ask, don’t assume!

In the end, think about it this way – you are expected to complete the work assigned to you so the professor can see if you are learning and what you’ve learned; they’re not interested in knowing what your friends, family, “tutor” or artificial intelligence tool can do or what they know.

For ethical sources of help, talk to your professors, TAs, or the Academic Integrity Office, and make use of all the learning supports (e.g., Writing Hub) and student success programs that the University provides to you. For more information, go here.

To share with others why or how you CHOOSE Integrity, enter our annual contest for a chance to win $250. Contest details and deadline can be found at https://academicintegrity.ucsd.edu/events/EWI%20Contests/index.html

Tricia Bertram Gallant, Ph.D.
Director
Academic Integrity Office & Triton Testing Center