Regulating AI Usage in Academic Assessment
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has recently revised its exam regulations to address the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like Chat GPT by its students. Pro-rector for education Marit Reitan articulated this amendment, emphasizing that the core of the regulations demands clear attribution when such AI-generated content is used. This action is a response to the swift advent of technological innovations in the educational sector.
In the year prior, NTNU felt compelled to modify its guidelines concerning academic dishonesty, particularly with the emergence of AI technologies. The overarching goal of this update was to explicitly classify the submission of AI-generated work as cheating if presented wholly or partially as a student’s own efforts. In concrete terms, a new sentence was integrated into the home examination template following a decision by the rector: “The generation of responses via Artificial Intelligence (such as Chat GPT or similar) and submitting them fully or in part as one’s own is prohibited.”
Fact Box: NTNU’s Revised AI Examination Policy
NTNU’s official rules on the examination now state that “Plagiarism is using text or content created by others and pretending to have authored or produced it oneself. For instance, it is considered plagiarism to utilize material without proper citations. This also applies to copying from online sources, other students’ work, textbooks, and articles without marking quotations and their sources explicitly. The same rule applies if one references AI tools (like ChatGPT or similar) without proper citation.”
Following some initial misunderstandings by various news outlets regarding NTNU’s policy on AI usage, which were interpreted as a blanket ban, the university has since clarified that it never outright forbade the use of AI, such as Chat GPT. Reitan clarified the previous rector’s decision, specifying that the unauthorized portrayal of AI-created text as one’s own constituted cheating. Just as with any other source, AI usage must be cited.
The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering formed a working group in October 2023 and pointed out the ambiguity in interpreting the rector’s decision, cautioning against a misinterpretation that could lead to prohibiting these new tools altogether. Following debates within the Educational Committee, the phrasing has been altered, and the exam regulations have been updated to accentuate the requirement of citing sources when incorporating AI tools.
Reitan recollected the debates within the Educational Committee regarding the challenges presented by AI, admitting that these technologies offered significant challenges almost overnight concerning exam protocol and integrity checks.
Most Important Questions and Answers Regarding NTNU’s Stance on AI Tools in Examinations
1. What spurred NTNU to revise its exam regulations related to AI?
– NTNU revised its exam regulations due to the rapid integration of AI technologies, like ChatGPT, into the educational sector. The university recognized the need to clarify the rules about AI-generated content to prevent academic dishonesty and ensure proper attribution.
2. Is the use of AI tools like ChatGPT prohibited in NTNU examinations?
– No, the use of AI tools is not prohibited. NTNU requires that any content generated by AI must be properly cited if used in academic work. Misrepresenting AI-generated content as a student’s own creation is considered plagiarism.
3. How did NTNU address the initial misconceptions about their AI policy?
– NTNU clarified the misconceptions through public statements, explaining that AI tools could be used as long as they are cited accordingly. The university aims to prevent the unauthorized portrayal of AI-created text as original student work.
Key Challenges or Controversies
The primary challenge surrounding the use of AI in academic assessments is ensuring that students do not gain an unfair advantage by presenting AI-generated work as their own. It raises ethical concerns about academic integrity and calls into question the originality and authenticity of a student’s knowledge and creative thinking abilities.
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI Usage in Academic Settings
Advantages:
– AI can serve as a resource for idea generation and provide students with additional insight into complex topics.
– It can aid in learning by offering new ways of interaction and engagement with educational material.
– AI tools can assist in proofreading and editing, improving the overall quality of a student’s work.
Disadvantages:
– There is a risk of over-reliance on AI tools, which could stifle a student’s ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
– It might be challenging to assess a student’s understanding if AI-generated content is overly integrated into their submissions.
– Academic dishonesty may increase if students attempt to use AI-generated material without proper citations.
Related Link:
For more information on the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s educational policies and other institutional details, you can visit the NTNU main domain through this link to NTNU.