Accusations of AI Misuse Levelled Against Him: A Look at What the Individual Wishes His Instructor Had Handled Differently
William Quarterman, a student at the University of California, Davis, found himself in an unexpected predicament when he was accused of using AI to cheat on a take-home midterm exam. The accusation, made by his history professor, sent shockwaves through Quarterman's academic journey.
Quarterman was given a zero for the exam and was referred to the university's Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs for academic dishonesty. However, it soon became apparent that the allegations were unfounded.
Quarterman had never used ChatGPT or any other AI tool to write his paper. To prove his innocence, he used the edit history feature in Google Docs to provide time-stamped evidence of how he wrote his paper over several hours.
His parents, both law-related professionals, advised him on ways to present his case effectively. Quarterman focused his defense measures primarily on disproving the credibility of the evidence presented against him.
The family also demonstrated that the AI detection tool used by the professor frequently incorrectly flagged famous works as AI-generated, including Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream Speech" and excerpts from the Book of Genesis.
Quarterman was eventually cleared of the AI use accusation. The experience left him with a deep sense of injustice and a determination to ensure such incidents do not happen to other students.
Quarterman's story demonstrates that not giving a student a presumption of innocence can cause tremendous mental anguish for them. He endorses a strategy of talking with the student, asking them to provide evidence that they are the author of the essay or potentially asking them to rewrite it.
In the aftermath of his ordeal, Quarterman has been contacted by several students who have had similar experiences with false AI use accusations. He hopes to use his experience to apply to the San Francisco Police Department, where he aims to be the most accurate policeman possible due to his experience with an unfair judicial system.
Moreover, a Stanford research states that AI detectors discriminate against non-native speakers, raising concerns about the fairness of such tools in academic settings. As AI continues to evolve, it is likely that its use in education will become more prevalent. Quarterman believes that in five or six years, using AI to help write papers will be an accepted part of education.
However, it is crucial that students are given the benefit of the doubt and that these tools are used responsibly and accurately. Quarterman's academic battle serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on technology without proper safeguards.
Despite the challenges he faced, Quarterman graduated on time and looks forward to a future where his experiences can contribute to a fairer and more equitable educational system.
