ChatGPT falsely claims to write student essays

Occurred: May 2023

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ChatGPT persuaded a professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce that it had written essays produced by his students, leading to most of the class having their diplomas suspended, and the professor pilloried on Reddit and other channels. 

Dr. Jared Mumm had used the software to assess whether it had been used to help his students write their submissions. ChatGPT does not provide AI-writing detection.

Texas A&M responded in a statement, 'University officials are investigating the incident and developing policies to address the use or misuse of AI technology in the classroom.'

'They are also working to adopt AI detection tools and other resources to manage the intersection of AI technology and higher education. The use of AI in coursework is a rapidly changing issue that confronts all learning institutions,' it said.

Databank

Operator: OpenAI; Texas A&M Commerce
Developer: OpenAI

Country: USA

Sector: Education

Purpose: Provide information, communicate

Technology: Chatbot; NLP/text analysis; Neural network; Deep learning; Machine learning; Reinforcement learning
Issue: Accuracy/reliability; Anthropomorphism; Mis/disinformation; Reput

Transparency: Marketing

Page info
Type: Incident
Published: May 2023
Last updated: November 2023