Navigating AI Accusations in College - Moira Olmsted's Story

Moira Olmsted decided to take a break from college during the pandemic to start her family, but upon her return to school, she encountered unforeseen challenges. Balancing a full-time job alongside the responsibilities of caring for a toddler, she managed to accumulate enough savings to enroll in a self-paced program, aiming to harmonize her academic pursuits with her family life. In 2023, she was in her seventh month of pregnancy with her second child and at the same time, she was enrolling in online classes at Central Methodist University to work towards a teaching career. However, shortly after the fall semester began, she encountered an unexpected situation wherein she was accused of utilizing artificial intelligence to complete her assignments.

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A Shock to the System

Moira's assignment was a simple reading summary, one of three she had to submit each week. But when she received her grade, she was stunned—it was a zero. The professor told her that an AI detection tool flagged her submission as likely generated by artificial intelligence. The professor mentioned it wasn't the first time this had happened either. For Moira, the accusation was more than just a bad grade; it felt like a personal attack. "It was a punch in the gut," she shared, feeling that her hard work and dedication could be at risk. If another piece of her work got flagged, her standing at the university might be threatened, potentially derailing her plans.

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Defending Her Work

Moira didn't take the accusation lying down. She contacted her professor and a student coordinator, explaining that her writing style might be misunderstood. As someone with autism spectrum disorder, she naturally writes in a structured, formulaic manner—a style that could be mistaken for AI-generated text. Ultimately, her persistence paid off, and her grade was corrected. But the resolution came with a strict warning: any future flag would be treated as seriously as a plagiarism offense.

?The experience left Moira feeling anxious and cautious. She had to take extra steps to ensure her work wouldn't be flagged again. She began recording her writing process on her laptop, using Google Docs to keep a clear trail of edits and changes. She aimed to prove that her words were hers, hoping to avoid another suspicion.

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The Rise of AI Detection in Schools

Moira's story is not unique. Since the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, schools have been scrambling to adapt to a new academic landscape. To prevent academic dishonesty, many educators have turned to AI detection tools. According to a survey by the Center for Democracy & Technology, about two-thirds of teachers use AI detectors regularly, hoping to identify when students might rely on AI to complete their assignments. However, while these tools are accurate, they aren't perfect. Even the best AI detection tools can produce false positives, leading to unintended student consequences.

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False Positives and Their Impact

For students like Moira, a false accusation can be devastating. It's not just about having to redo an assignment or losing a few points; it's the impact on their reputation and academic future. In some cases, the students most likely to be flagged are those who write in a straightforward or structured manner—neurodivergent students, ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, and those who just happen to have a more formulaic writing style.

A study by Stanford University found that AI detectors were nearly flawless when analyzing essays written by native English speakers but flagged over half of the essays written by non-native speakers as AI-generated. These inaccuracies raise concerns about fairness and whether these tools are inadvertently biased against certain groups of students.

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The Emotional Toll on Students

For many students, the fear of being falsely accused by AI detection tools changes how they approach their work. Moira's story highlights this perfectly. She began obsessing over every detail of her writing process, focusing on content and how it might appear to an AI detector. Other students, like Nathan Mendoza from the University of California at San Diego, use AI detection tools like GPTZero to pre-screen their work, adjusting their writing to avoid being flagged. Instead of concentrating on learning, they spend valuable time worrying about whether their work will be misinterpreted.

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A Question of Trust in the Classroom

The introduction of AI detection tools has introduced a layer of anxiety between students and teachers. Some educators, like Adam Lloyd, an English professor at the University of Maryland, believe that relying too heavily on these tools can undermine the teacher-student relationship. He prefers to trust his intuition, get to know his students' writing styles, and address any suspicions directly with them. "If I have a concern, I'll have a conversation, not jump to conclusions," he says.

?The approach being discussed here differs from the prevailing practice of relying on AI tools as the initial line of defense to combat cheating. While AI detection companies insist that their tools should be used as one of many data points, many students feel they are being judged by a computer before a human even gets involved.

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Looking Ahead: Finding a Balance

Moira Olmsted's story is a reminder that while technology can be helpful, it's not infallible. As schools continue to adapt to the presence of AI, they must find a way to balance the need for academic integrity with fairness and empathy. For students like Moira, who are trying to juggle their studies with other life responsibilities, a false accusation can feel like the system is stacked against them. Despite the setbacks she has faced, her commitment to realizing her aspiration of becoming a teacher remains resolute.

?Ultimately, as AI becomes a permanent part of education, schools will need to evolve their strategies to detect misuse and ensure that they are supporting students in their learning journey. And as Moira's experience shows, there's a long way to go before that balance is found.

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Conclusion

?Moira's struggle with AI detection tools sheds light on many students' challenges in today's digital classrooms. While technology can enhance learning, but it mustn't become a barrier to those already working hard to achieve their dreams. As AI continues to shape education, a thoughtful approach is needed—one that supports students rather than undermines them.

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Follow-up:

If you struggle to understand Generative AI, I am here to help. To this end, I created the "Ethical Writers System" to support writers in their struggles with AI. I personally work with writers in one-on-one sessions to ensure you can comfortably use this technology safely and ethically. When you are done, you will have the foundations to work with it independently.

I hope this blog post has been educational for you. I encourage you to reach out to me should you have any questions. If you wish to expand your knowledge on how AI tools can enrich your writing, don't hesitate to contact me directly here on LinkedIn or explore AI4Writers.io.

Or better yet, book a discovery call, and we can see what I can do for you at GoPlus!

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