Fernanda Gonzalez
08/28/23
With a simple click, Artificial Intelligence can create essays, research projects and even prevent students from using their critical thinking, UTRGV officials say.
David Fisher, a UTRGV history associate professor, explains although there are several different cases and scenarios,it may vary from being a 100% AI-created assignment to students using an AI search and getting an idea to write their essays.
“I am kind of at a loss as to what to do with AI,” Fisher said. “I have been listening to a lot of webinars and seminars of people talking about AI use. From the point of view of teaching, people are trying to figure out how to use it productively.”
Fisher said he had several cases of homework done by AI. Still, there was one in particular that he had to report to Student Rights and Responsibilities.
“When I put these students’ work into one of those systems, it brought up a site called ‘AI tutor,’” Fisher said. “It used AI to tutor students on writing. And that site actually keeps copies of prompts and essays. It brought up exactly the prompt of the essay I have given the student.”
UTRGV Director for Student Rights and Responsibilities Melba Latu advised professors may submit a report via Vaqueros Report It or by emailing srr@utrgv.edu. After submitting a report, a detailed investigation will be conducted, depending on the situation.
She added UTRGV has not developed any new policy on dealing with Artificial Intelligence.
“We have our student academic dishonesty standard,” Latu said. “That hasn’t been adjusted just for AI but it does require students to do their own job and that they are honest.”
Latu said AI will significantly affect communication and schoolwork.
“It’s a level that is very impressive and there is every indication that it would get more and more sophisticated,” she said.
To learn more about UTRGV’s policies on Academic Dishonesty, visit utrgv.edu/srr.
This is Fernanda Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio.
