Reliability of AI checking software called into question by students.

The University of Canterbury’s AI checking systems are being questioned after some students claim to have been falsely accused of using Generative AI in their assignments.

Students describe the experience as demeaning and isolating, making them feel they have no way to defend themselves.

Charlotte*, a 3rd year student at UC, was brought in for a meeting with her lecturer after he suspected that her assignment was 70% AI-generated.

Charlotte was confused and taken off guard as she had not used any AI.

“I was really worried about how I was going to defend myself,” said Charlotte.

This caused her a lot of anxiety and concern.

Charlotte said her lecturer was able to use his judgement to determine this was a faulty percentage as he “trusted her as a student”, however she still had points deducted from her final mark.

Emma*, another 3rd year student at UC, was also accused of handing in an assignment which was flagged as 100% AI.

Emma received an automatic C- grade due to the suspected AI use, but she set up a meeting with her tutor as she wanted to “prove her innocence”.

Luckily, she had kept a record of her planning which was able to show how she had completed this work.

Emma said she “felt insulted by being instantly accused” and it was “really disheartening to hear that [her] work lacked originality”.

“It is upsetting that something which was entirely my work is coming up as 100% AI because that is not true” said Emma.

Different university courses have different policies regarding AI use, with some allowing it to be submitted alongside a declaration of use, while others have a blanket ban.

Jeanette King, Associate Dean at the University of Canterbury said courses use Turnitin to check all assignments for plagiarism and generative AI use.

Jeanette King, Associate Dean at UC. PHOTO: Supplied.

King says a high score on Turnitin is not evidence enough to report the work; there must be “a good level of proof that generative AI was used”.

“Penalties for using AI could be a failing grade or no mark for an assignment, or students can be recorded on the Academic Misconduct Register”, said King.

A student’s record on the Academic Misconduct Register lasts for a period of ten years.

If students are undertaking a qualification that results in professional accreditation, the University may disclose information on the register to the relevant professional body.

As an Academic Integrity Officer for the Faculty of Arts, King has already investigated two cases of plagiarism and two potential cases of AI use this year.

King said writing your assignment on your OneDrive account is a “good habit” as Academic Integrity Officers can review the version history if necessary.

King said students should not rely on AI use, as professors feel that the “standard of written assignments is falling”.

*Names changed for anonymity

PHOTO: Cora Pursley, Dupe.