Students under probe for allegedly using AI in submitted academic requirements

Some students at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) are under investigation after allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to fulfill academic requirements.

In a report by Ian Cruz on "24 Oras,"  an AI detector system was used to check these academic requirements submitted by the students.

"It has come to out attention about the alleged instances of academic requirements submitted by students of the University that were created by Large Language Modu le (LLM) systems, such as ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformers). LLMs answer queries by generating useful texts containing concepts and ideas learned from the large body of information available on the Internet," the Faculty of UP Artificial Intelligence Program said in a statement.

“The professor verified the students' submission with two Al detector systems that led to the conclusion that the work was most likely written by an Al.”

The university professors expressed concern over the students' use of AI, adding that there are consequences to the action they have taken.

“We, as faculty members, are very concerned that our students here in UP are basically cheating. They misrepresented the submission coming from this AI tools in submission po of actual academic requirement,” said Dr. Eugene Rex Jalao, UPD Artificial Intelligence Program coordinator.

“The students in question, whether proven that they have actually committed dishonesty, there are consequences. The most severe here in UP Diliman is of course expulsion. but it also ranges from suspension or even a failing grade,” he added.

Dr. Jalao also said that AI does not need to be banned in school, but its improper use needs to be prevented.

Meanwhile, Dominic Caringal and Miguel Dichoso, both Computer Engineering students, said AI is a big help for students but there should be a limit to its use.

“Hindi rin ganun kaganda ang mga nagiging sagot parang pwede lang po siyang maging tulong para mas marami kang malaman about sa certain information, for example po yung mga codes,” said Dominic.

They said that AI can be used as aid in learning and for research.

“In an academic matter ginagamit po siya as a basis to learn more about how it should be done. It is not to give kumbaga yung mismong sagot, but rather to help us learn paano sumagot and then, yun yung limitations kumbaga,” said Miguel.

GMA Integrated News is trying to get a statement from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) as of posting time. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News