As we prepare for the start of a new academic year we’re delighted to announce that the next in our webinar series looking at AI in higher education will be on Thursday 21 September at 14:30h BST where we delighted to be joined by Dr Robin Crockett from the University of Northampton.
After ChatGPT3 launched itself into the world (still less than a year ago), it wasn’t long before people tried to create detectors. GPTZero, created by a student in his Christmas vacation, shot into prominence early on. Since then, Turnitin has introduced one, though we, at Dundee, like most UK Universities decided to delay its introduction, due to concerns about the timing (April, just as most students were submitting coursework and final dissertations). We also had significant concerns about the accuracy, in particular false positives (i.e. suggesting AI was used, when it was not)
Even OpenAI (the makers of ChatGPT) launched a detector, but removed it less than 6 months later, due to its lack of accuracy. So far, many have tried to create detectors, but most are not very successful at detection.
Robin will look at AI text detection and the challenges this poses for academic integrity. AI ‘writing’ tools are here to stay. Like any software tool, they can be used or misused. Robin’s presentation will focus on the misuse/misconduct aspects but won’t lose sight of the reality that we as educators need to do two things:
- bring AI tools into our courses and define boundaries because our students will graduate into a world where (correct) use of AI tools is increasingly the norm;
- be alert to the very real threat to academic integrity when such tools are used outwith those defined boundaries, and the consequences for assignment design.
Dr Robin Crockett (MA MSc MPhil PhD FHEA CSci CMath MIMA) is the Academic Integrity Lead at the University of Northampton (UK). Within that, his role has a specific focus on the investigation of complex false-authorship allegations – including misuse of AIs – where significant ‘cyber’ is required. That has evolved from his previous position as Reader in Data Analysis. In addition, his role involves training, mentoring and advising colleagues at the University of Northampton and beyond, and includes specific research briefs regarding ‘cyber’ and development of professional practice. He is a member of the UK QAA Academic Integrity Advisory Group, was an Academic Visitor at Loughborough University (UK) 2020-2023 and a co-founder of the Midlands Integrity Group (of English universities), plus a member of the ENAI.
Recording now available – there’s a link to the playlist at the top of the page.
Future dates for your diary
Thursday 28 September 14:00h – Dr Martin Compton (King’s College London) – AI in Higher Education: Panic or Engage?
Thursday 19 October 15:00 – Mary Jacob (Aberystwyth University) – Developing resilience in an ever-changing AI landscape?
Thursday 9 November 14:30 – Dr Mark Carrigan (University of Manchester) – Beyond the Hype: Responsible Use of Generative AI in Higher Education
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