Plagiarism, autism spectrum disorder and AI

Deep Learning
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I thought this was interesting article from the Guardian Newspaper

There is also evidence that suggests AI detection tools disadvantage certain demographics. One study at Stanford found that a number of AI detectors have a bias towards non-English speakers, flagging their work 61% of the time, as opposed to 5% of native English speakers (Turnitin was not part of this particular study). Last month, Bloomberg Businessweek reported the case of a student with autism spectrum disorder whose work had been falsely flagged by a detection tool as being written by AI. Neurodivergent students, as well as those who write using simpler language and syntax, appear to be disproportionately affected by these systems.

REF ‘I received a first but it felt tainted and undeserved’: inside the university AI cheating crisis | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian

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Hello,

Thank you for sharing this article! It raises some very important points about the limitations and biases of AI detection tools. The fact that certain demographics, like non-English speakers and neurodivergent students, are disproportionately impacted is concerning. It highlights the need for more inclusive and accurate AI systems that can fairly assess a broader range of writing styles and abilities.

AI tools are supposed to assist in detecting cheating and maintaining academic integrity, but it’s clear that they may be unintentionally penalizing individuals who already face challenges in the educational system. As the article points out, the case of the student with autism spectrum disorder who was falsely flagged shows how these systems could harm those who might express themselves differently but not necessarily through dishonest means.

This issue really brings attention to the need for ongoing refinement of AI detection tools and more awareness about their potential biases. It’s essential to ensure that these tools are not just effective but also equitable and fair to all students, regardless of their background or writing style.

Best Regard,
Giga

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I don’t agree with you on that. To me, this highlights that AI tools are not supposed to be used like that. They can be a part of the mix, but never the deciding factor. At least not in the foreseeable future.
Sure, ongoing refinement of AI detection tools is needed, but in my view, first and foremost there needs to be a critical evaluation about how those tools can be reasonably used in every single use case.