When does AI go from educational tool to straight-up cheating?

From robotics to virtual reality, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we use modern technology.  

Students are using AI more every day, from writing essays to solving math problems. But at what point does the technology stop being a learning tool and become another way for students to cheat?

“I think that using AI as a tool is almost like a grammar check. I use it if I write an essay, to be like, with this rubric, what did I get on it?” said Dorothy Simmonds, a high school student.

Simmonds believes AI can help improve a student’s learning when it’s used to provide feedback, like when you’re at home without a teacher. However, she knows some students use it as a shortcut.

“Once you go past that and you’re putting so little information and just letting AI have free will with it, and you don’t have any of your original ideas other than a basic outline of what you want from it, then I feel like you’re using it to cheat,” said Simmonds.

Edmonton Public School Board hosted a student AI conference on Wednesday, showing how the tech can be used to advance learning while discussing its flaws.

“It’s for students to learn more about AI in general, learn about responsible use of AI, those ethical implications, learn that foundational understanding, and decide how AI best fits in their world and set them up for success,” said Bernice Pui, conference chair of the EPSB Student AI Conference.

One teacher CityNews spoke to at this conference said educators need to adopt new approaches and grading methods as the technology becomes more prevalent in the classroom.

“We have to think about other forms of assessment, other ways that we can prepare students to use AI in a way that’s actually going to support their learning,” said Jill Kowalchuk, the manager of AI literacy with Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII).

Simmonds is glad to see how society is adapting to the evolving tech for future generations.

“I can be excited for a future with AI without being worried that all of these issues with ethics and morals and plagiarism and all those things aren’t going to be talked about,” said Simmonds.

EPSB says the reception from students is overwhelmingly positive, and organizers are hopeful they can put together more events like this in the near future.