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Detecting unauthorized AI usage can be challenging but not impossible. By implementing various strategies and utilizing available tools, instructors can identify signs of AI-generated content or unauthorized assistance. Here are detailed methods for detecting unauthorized AI usage:

Familiarize yourself with AI tools: Stay informed about the latest AI tools and techniques commonly used for generating content or providing assistance to students.

• Regularly explore AI advancements and popular tools used for text generation, summarization, and translation.
• Participate in workshops or online courses to familiarize yourself with AI applications in education and how they may be used to aid students.
• Work with colleagues or AI experts to stay updated on emerging trends and techniques in AI usage.

Analyze writing patterns: Look for patterns or inconsistencies in students’ writing that may indicate the use of AI-generated content.

• Assign students a diagnostic in-class writing assignment toward the beginning of the term against which to gauge later writing.
• Assess the language proficiency level of the student and compare it to the complexity of the written work.
• Analyze the writing style and tone for consistency with the student’s previous work or class discussions.
• Be wary of sudden improvements in writing quality or sophistication that are not reflected in the student’s previous submissions.

Analyze visuals and artwork: Look for consistent styles or abrupt changes in students' artwork that may indicate the use of AI-generated content.

• Assign students comparative tasks or critiques to assess the uniqueness and authenticity of their visual creations.
• Assess the technical proficiency displayed in student work and compare it against their demonstrated skill level.
• Analyze the progression and development of students' artistic abilities over time to detect anomalies that may suggest external influences.

Conduct plagiarism checks: Use plagiarism detection tools to identify similarities between students’ work and existing online content, including AI-generated materials.

• Use plagiarism detection software like Turnitin to scan students’ submissions for plagiarized content.
• Review suspicious sections of text manually by conducting internet searches or comparing against known sources.
• Check the accuracy and consistency of citations and references to ensure proper attribution of sources.

Assess conceptual understanding: Evaluate students’ conceptual understanding of the subject matter through discussions, quizzes, or oral exams to gauge the authenticity of their knowledge.

• Pose open-ended questions that require critical thinking and synthesis of course material.
• Ask follow-up questions during discussions or oral exams to probe students’ understanding and reasoning.
• Assign tasks that require students to apply concepts in novel contexts or solve real-world problems.

Monitor time and effort: Monitor students’ time and effort invested in completing assignments to detect anomalies or suspicious behaviors.

• Pay attention to the time spent by students on completing assignments relative to the complexity and expected effort.
• Look for irregular submission patterns, such as last-minute submissions or sudden bursts of productivity.
• Compare students’ in-class participation and performance to their written assignments to identify discrepancies.

Engage in dialogue: Maintain open communication with students and address any concerns or suspicions regarding AI usage directly.

• Provide clear guidelines on academic integrity and the consequences of using unauthorized assistance, including AI.
• Foster a classroom culture where students feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking help when needed.
• Schedule one-on-one meetings with students to discuss their work and address any issues or questions they may have.

A note on AI-detection tools

While there are numerous AI-detection tools available on the market, their reliability and validity remain questionable. These tools claim to identify AI-generated content, but they often produce false positives and negatives, leading to potential misjudgments. The algorithms behind these detection systems are not foolproof and can struggle with accurately distinguishing between human and AI-generated text, especially as generative AI models become more sophisticated. This disproportionately affects non-native English speakers, as the nuances of language use can be misinterpreted by these tools. As a result, relying on these tools can undermine trust and fairness in the academic setting. Instead, a better approach is to focus on fostering a culture of academic integrity and encouraging students to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Conclusion

Detecting unauthorized AI usage requires a combination of vigilance and proactive measures. By staying informed about AI advancements, analyzing writing patterns, conducting plagiarism checks, assessing conceptual understanding, monitoring time and effort, and engaging in dialogue with students, instructors can effectively identify signs of AI-generated content or unauthorized assistance. These strategies uphold academic integrity and ensure that students’ learning experiences remain authentic and meaningful.

This content was developed with the assistance of Open AI’s ChatGPT.