In the age of generative AI, universities are grappling
with a growing crisis: cheating.
Once symbols of knowledge and hard work, degrees now face a credibility problem as AI technology revolutionizes how students approach assessments. As an academic, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this shift is reshaping higher education - for better or worse.
The New Normal: AI-Powered Cheating
AI tools are now ubiquitous among students. What’s more alarming is that most students using AI are savvy enough to avoid detection by lightly editing their outputs.
This isn’t limited to students struggling with English. Educators - those responsible for upholding academic integrity - admit to using AI for everything from lesson plans to report cards.
Meanwhile, foreign students, some of whom lack basic English proficiency, outsource entire essays to AI. The result? Many may graduate with degrees while lacking the language skills necessary to write a coherent sentence in the institution’s language.
Degrees for Sale
Universities, increasingly reliant on tuition from full-fee-paying students,
have become reluctant to fail anyone.
AI only exacerbates this issue. Cash is king, and quality control is sacrificed to keep revenue flowing. Degrees are becoming little more than proof of purchasing power, rather than evidence of skill or knowledge.
It’s a harsh truth: unless we overhaul assessment methods,
a degree may soon be meaningless.
Can Universities Adapt?
There is hope, albeit cautious. Some universities, like Sydney University, are taking a pragmatic approach by integrating AI into coursework while ensuring key skills are assessed under controlled conditions.
This “two-lane” system separates assessments into secure, supervised tasks (like oral exams) and open-book assignments where AI is permissible. By allowing students to use AI in a structured way, the institution aims to balance the realities of technology with the need to test genuine competence.
Others, like the University of South Australia, are reviving oral exams - offering a direct, interactive way to evaluate understanding that AI cannot mimic.
Such changes signal a shift toward assessments that prioritize critical thinking
and personal accountability over rote memorization and essay writing.
The Way Forward
For universities to remain relevant, they must embrace new strategies:
Reimagine Assessments: Oral exams, in-person problem-solving, and supervised tasks must become the standard to ensure students demonstrate real understanding.
Teach AI Ethics: Universities should educate students on responsible AI use, preparing them to harness these tools effectively in their careers without compromising integrity.
Improve Detection Tools: While AI detection is not foolproof, advancements can still help identify blatant misuse.
Reinforce Academic Integrity: Students must understand that failure is a part of learning. By making space for failure, institutions can ensure degrees retain their value.
Rick’s Commentary
AI isn’t the death knell of education - it’s a challenge to adapt.
Universities must confront this reality head-on, revising outdated practices to align with the technological era. If they don’t, degrees will continue to lose their worth, and the students who graduate may find themselves ill-prepared for the demands of their professions.
We owe it to future generations to make sure that expensive piece of paper
represents more than the work of a chatbot.
It should reflect genuine effort, knowledge, and the ability to think critically –
a standard we cannot afford to compromise.
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