Detecting AI in Student Work: Tips for Educators

With an increasing number of students asking questions such as 'How to ask ChatGPT to write an essay?' or 'How can my teacher tell I've used AI?' it's important for educators to know how to spot where students have used AI writing tools. 

There are many pros and cons of AI in education, but where can you draw the line, and how can you even tell what's AI-generated and what's a student's own work?

Understanding the rise of AI Use in student work

As technology keeps advancing, students are flocking to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT for a helping hand with their schoolwork.

And it's understandable why. ChatGPT, like other AI writing tools, is a language model that can whip up human-like text based on user prompts. Its simplicity and knack for producing coherent and contextually fitting responses have made it all the rage among students.

Yet, with the surge in ChatGPT usage comes the worrying issue of academic integrity. Students may misuse this tool without giving proper credit where it's due, leading to unoriginal work that lacks citation or attribution.

The challenges of detecting plagiarism in AI-generated content

Detecting plagiarism in content generated by ChatGPT presents a challenging issue for educators and plagiarism detection systems. Unlike old-school copy-and-paste plagiarism, where students shamelessly lift text from existing sources, ChatGPT churns out original content that might not have any direct matches in the existing databases.

Moreover, this AI marvel has a sneaky talent for imitating human writing style, leaving educators scratching their heads even more. It's like trying to spot the difference between an original masterpiece and a clever AI forgery. 

So, how can you identify if a student has misused AI?

Here are 10 key factors to consider when assessing student work for possible AI-related concerns.

1. Consistency in Style: Look for abrupt shifts in writing style, vocabulary, or complexity that deviate from the student's typical expression. I.e., a sudden transition from simple sentences to intricate structures might signal the involvement of an AI writing tool.
2. Unusual Language Patterns: Identify any unnatural or advanced language patterns that surpass the student's usual linguistic capabilities. For example, they may have used specialized terminology or intricate syntax of which they are likely not aware, suggesting potential external assistance.
3. Content Mastery: Evaluate whether the depth of understanding and knowledge displayed aligns with the student's demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter. If a student consistently produces work that exceeds their typical level of comprehension, it could hint at the use of AI tools for content generation.
4. Inconsistent Quality: Take note of inconsistencies in the quality of work across assignments, as variations may indicate external support or unauthorized collaboration. 
5. Plagiarism Check: Employ plagiarism detection tools to identify and address content directly lifted from online sources. Tools such as TurnItIn have introduced AI detection tools to assist educators in identifying AI use. 
6. Complex Sentence Structures: Exercise caution when encountering overly complex sentence structures or sophisticated language that surpasses typical student capabilities. I.e., the sudden inclusion of intricate clauses could suggest that a student has used ChatGPT to help write an essay.
7. Lack of Personal Voice: Assess whether the work lacks the unique voice and perspective characteristic of the student. For example, if a student typically infuses their writing with personal anecdotes and suddenly shifts to a detached tone, it may indicate external input or collaboration.
8. Unusual Topics: Scrutinize if the chosen topic appears unexpectedly advanced or falls outside the usual scope of the course. An example could be a sudden shift from basic concepts to highly specialized subject matter can be an indicator of AI-generated content.
9. Timely Submission: Consider the timing of submission; abrupt improvements or last-minute delivery may raise suspicions about the authenticity of the work. For instance, a student who consistently submits work late but suddenly delivers an exceptionally polished piece on time.
10. Cross-Check Sources: Cross-reference the sources mentioned in the work to ensure their credibility and accessibility to the student. ChatGPT and other AI tools can miss-reference work, and students may only sometimes verify the suggested sources, leading to inaccuracies. 

In navigating the landscape of AI-generated content and students googling how to make AI writing undetectable, educators face a daunting challenge. These factors guide educators in detecting AI use in student work and adapting approaches to maintain academic integrity. By analyzing style, language patterns, and content mastery, educators can distinguish between authentic student work and AI assistance as technology evolves.