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Setting Ground Rules Around Original Writing and ChatGPT

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have the power to revolutionize education, but educators must first wrestle with weighty ethical and practical concerns.

Michelle Zimmerman can’t predict the future. But a few years ago, when researching her 2018 book Teaching AI: Exploring New Frontiers for Learning , she met a handful of people who could. Speaking with artificial intelligence experts, some of whom had been in the field since the 1960s, she learned in hushed whispers about a conversational AI chatbot being developed to respond to queries with remarkable speed and fluidity. Ask a question, get a succinct and polished answer on demand. Request a five-paragraph essay on To Kill a Mockingbird and read it in seconds, thesis statement and all.

Zimmerman realized such a tool would represent a quantum leap for education when it appeared. So she got to work. Without a name or even a particularly clear timeline, she began imagining a world where AI had totally upended teaching and assessment as we know it. Since she couldn’t create effective lesson plans or test the writing capabilities of a piece of software she’d never seen, Zimmerman began wrestling with big questions like these: What does it mean to create something original and unexpected when AI is a contributor? When is it ethical to ask AI to assist with an assignment like writing an essay or submitting a science report? And when, to put it bluntly, is it just cheating?

To figure it out, she convened a focus group of high school students at Renton Prep, the private school outside Seattle where she serves as executive director. If nothing else, it would get her students thinking about the big ethical conundrums around writing and AI awaiting them in college and beyond. “I figure it does not do much good if you’re an adult saying, ‘Oh, we won’t accept that assignment because it’s plagiarism,’ if you don’t discuss it with students,” she says. 

Late last year, Zimmerman’s planning was put to the test when the world was introduced to ChatGPT, the generative AI chatbot she’d heard about years earlier, developed by OpenAI, a nonprofit founded in 2015.  Released to both rapturous and apocalyptic reviews, ChatGPT was initially heralded in the press as a death knell to the student-penned essay and a ready-or-not educational revolution. By February, it had 100 million monthly active users , becoming the fastest-growing consumer application of all time. By May, one Common Sense poll found that more than half of kids over the age of 12 had tried it.

As schools enter for the first full year in a post-AI world, many are grappling with the same types of concerns that Zimmerman and her students have been working through. Namely, how do you set ground rules that acknowledge AI while spelling out parameters for how it can—and cannot—be used in schoolwork? 

A FIRST TAKE AT DRAWING BOUNDARIES

The same immense processing power that makes ChatGPT such a useful tool for learning also makes it a particularly tempting vehicle for cheating, mainly through passing off blocks of generated text as original work without attribution. That’s left districts and schools scrambling to create comprehensive academic integrity policies that spell out how (or if ) students can use ChatGPT responsibly. 

As part of its guidance on AI, Carnegie Mellon’s Eberly Center, which provides teaching support for faculty, shared a handful of example syllabus policies touching on several schools of thought. Instructors might choose to ban generative AI tools outright, with violators facing consequences akin to those for plagiarism of any form. But they might also create policies that fully permit the use of generative AI, as long as it’s acknowledged and cited like any other source. A third option is more nuanced—neither a free-for-all nor a knee-jerk ban. It lets teachers permit AI use for certain activities, such as brainstorming and outlining, or special assignments, such as ungraded ones, but forbid it in all other contexts.  

Given how fast AI is evolving, developing a comprehensive policy around safely using AI is challenging, though not impossible. 

After researching existing guidance from all over the world, Leon Furze, a British-Australian educator pursuing a doctorate in AI and writing instruction, recently penned a template policy specifically for secondary schools. One of the first of its kind, Furze’s document provides a framework for how educators can think about the bright red lines that must be drawn around AI use. Its various sections run the gamut from data privacy, access and equity, and academic integrity to assessment and even professional development, proposing lines of inquiry that schools can explore to create their own unique policies. Take a section on citations and references, for instance, which asks schools to consider three key questions:

• How can AI-generated material be appropriately cited and referenced in research and writing?
• What guidelines will be provided to staff and students regarding the appropriate citation and referencing of AI-generated material?
• What tools and resources will be made available to support appropriate citation and referencing of AI-generated material?

If you’re looking for a copy-and-paste formula for how to deal with plagiarism or other topics, you might be better served asking ChatGPT directly. You won’t find it here. As Furze explains in an introduction, “The suggestions here should form part of a wider discussion around updating your existing cyber/digital policies, and should involve members of your school community including parents and students.”   

Since students will be most impacted by the new rules, it may be worth broaching the subject with them directly. This year, Kelly Gibson, a high school English teacher in rural Rogue River, Oregon, best known for her thoughtful education takes on TikTok , is speaking plainly with her students about using AI responsibly. While her district is still ironing out its own guidance, she plans to explain some commonsense ground rules. Students must always receive permission before using AI, and they should know the consequences of being caught cheating. Over time, as students gain more experience with AI tools, she hopes they’ll realize for themselves why its impersonal tone and track record of distorting or inventing facts makes it unsuitable for generating long-form writing.

“There are frequent errors because it’s a word predictor,” she says. “If all a student is going to do is put in the prompt the teacher gives them, there is a high probability that they’re going to get a very simplistic paper.”

BRAVE NEW WRITING

In response to concerns that schools were losing in the battle to keep tabs on student originality, this April, four months after the release of ChatGPT, the plagiarism detection company Turnitin released its own highly anticipated AI solution . For decades, the company’s standard offering has checked student writing against enormous databases looking for what the company describes as “similarity,” which may or may not amount to actual plagiarism, depending on context like quotation marks and proper attribution.  

With the new update, customers still receive the same similarity rating for a submitted paper but now also receive a “Level of AI” score that examines each sentence and generates a probability score indicating how much text it believes was generated by AI. The software, like all AI detection , is still in its infancy and is far from exact science. The company claims its false positive rate is less than 1 percent, but some independent checks on early versions of the software found a much more frequent rate of errors, particularly for English learners, leading some researchers to call it “ unreliable .” 

So do AI checkers work? “In short, no,” reads a portion of OpenAI’s website , clarifying that no tool has yet been able to “reliably distinguish” between human- and machine-generated text. To that end, a number of colleges, including Vanderbilt, the University of Pittsburgh, and Northwestern, aren’t using them at all. Still, Turnitin says it has analyzed a massive 65 million papers since April of this year, flagging 3.3 percent for containing at least 80 percent AI writing; around 10 percent of the papers it’s processed featured over 20 percent AI writing (though the software’s accuracy may decline the less AI writing it detects and as AI writing itself becomes more human sounding).

Taken together, these early figures indicate that students are already using AI tools in their work—though probably not overwhelmingly. That puts educators in an awkward position. “I don’t want to spend my entire year hunting for examples of AI writing and looking for cheating,” says Marcus Luther, a high school English teacher in Keizer, Oregon. “One, I don’t trust myself to be successful at that, and two, I don’t trust the tools. And most importantly, I don’t want to take that mindset into how I read student work. I want to set expectations, but I also want to be affirmative in how I look at students’ writing.”

WHAT WOULD SHAKESPEARE SAY?

Beyond black and white issues like plagiarism, it will be difficult to create a blanket set of rules at the start of the year, simply because the technology is changing so quickly. Google is currently beta testing a generative AI tool, called “ Help me write ,” that will integrate its Bard AI technology directly into Google Docs. With a few keystrokes, students will be able to generate a few paragraphs’ worth of material inside the word processor they’re already using. The new feature has the potential to change how we approach writing, normalizing AI output as a starting point. The blank page, once the bane of even mature writers, may soon seem as quaint as the slide ruler. 

Dialogue may already be as important as policy. “I’m very much unsure of what the process looks like in terms of them forming their own original writing,” says Luther, “so I think it’s really appropriate to have conversations with students about how they feel about AI.” Now, he plans to ask his students to consider the murky ethics of AI and what choices they would make in his shoes. As teachers, when and how would they let students use AI? Would they consider a poem or novel created using a generative AI tool to be wholly original? And what is being lost if we use AI in place of thinking for ourselves? “I want to, as much as possible, be transparent in bringing the philosophical issues into the classroom with humility,” he says. “I don’t want to pretend like I have answers that I don’t.”

Recently, Zimmerman conducted a similar thought experiment with the students in her focus group. Following a conversation on Shakespeare, she asked them to use ChatGPT to play around with generating love letters—an intimate subject to most teenagers. As they were having fun injecting humor and emotion into their letters, she dropped a sly question: What if you got a letter from someone you liked and began to question whether it was from the heart or generated by AI? 

“There was this little gasp that came across the kids, and they looked at each other, because it’s one thing if you talk about content that wasn’t original to them, and it’s an assignment that they turn in,” she says. “But when it’s very personal and it’s something that they want to know is real and unique, it hits them in a different way.”

THE HUMAN TOUCH

For Gibson, the high school English teacher, her in-class AI discussions will have to wait a few weeks while she reviews the fundamentals of critically analyzing a text and forming a strong argument. “What I’ve found with thesis creation is that very often kids have an idea of what they want to talk about, but they don’t know how to write it as a thesis statement,” she says. 

Gibson envisions letting students use a tool like ChatGPT to refine, but not create, their arguments. Typically, she asks students to complete a custom graphic organizer in class to deconstruct the parts of an essay and build their argument before writing the final version at home. “You could potentially look at the final essay and not worry about whether ChatGPT was involved because you saw what students were able to put into the graphic organizer from the get-go,” she says. She often loads her organizers with detailed and specific parameters that require students to interact with the assignment in meaningful ways. “For anybody to get anything above a D, they’re going to have to do a lot of interacting with whatever ChatGPT spits out.”

Once students master the basics of argumentation, they rarely need such scaffolds. Then the goal becomes turning them into more competent—even joyful—writers by making them care about the work they’re producing, explains Katy Wischow, a staff developer at the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University’s Teachers College. “When there’s an authentic purpose to writing… it doesn’t feel like busy work,” she says.

That tracks with a philosophy that Zimmerman has been trying to impress on her students for years—namely that exploring their lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and views of the world is crucial to their education. Their stories are something AI can never replicate, but the technology might help sharpen the finished product. Recently, a student who is half Indian and half Pakistani used ChatGPT to brainstorm and refine questions to ask her parents about decades-old ethno-national tensions that are typically never spoken about. In the process, she learned about generational trauma, which sparked several meaningful prompts she can explore in her writing. 

To some of Zimmerman’s students, this is the true opportunity in AI—not as an instant-gratification homework machine, but as a resource they can tap to help them create the kind of deeply personal and expertly polished work that matters to those around them. Not long ago, Zimmerman asked another student, “What is it you wish AI will accomplish?” She found herself unprepared for his answer and more than a little crushed. “He said, ‘I hope AI will help our teachers actually want to know us better.’”

Provided teachers develop this intimate knowledge of their students as writers, and AI is welcomed into the process as a subordinate partner, perhaps we won’t be talking about counterfeit work as much as we think. 

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Should I Use ChatGPT to Write My Essays?

Everything high school and college students need to know about using — and not using — ChatGPT for writing essays.

Jessica A. Kent

ChatGPT is one of the most buzzworthy technologies today.

In addition to other generative artificial intelligence (AI) models, it is expected to change the world. In academia, students and professors are preparing for the ways that ChatGPT will shape education, and especially how it will impact a fundamental element of any course: the academic essay.

Students can use ChatGPT to generate full essays based on a few simple prompts. But can AI actually produce high quality work, or is the technology just not there yet to deliver on its promise? Students may also be asking themselves if they should use AI to write their essays for them and what they might be losing out on if they did.

AI is here to stay, and it can either be a help or a hindrance depending on how you use it. Read on to become better informed about what ChatGPT can and can’t do, how to use it responsibly to support your academic assignments, and the benefits of writing your own essays.

What is Generative AI?

Artificial intelligence isn’t a twenty-first century invention. Beginning in the 1950s, data scientists started programming computers to solve problems and understand spoken language. AI’s capabilities grew as computer speeds increased and today we use AI for data analysis, finding patterns, and providing insights on the data it collects.

But why the sudden popularity in recent applications like ChatGPT? This new generation of AI goes further than just data analysis. Instead, generative AI creates new content. It does this by analyzing large amounts of data — GPT-3 was trained on 45 terabytes of data, or a quarter of the Library of Congress — and then generating new content based on the patterns it sees in the original data.

It’s like the predictive text feature on your phone; as you start typing a new message, predictive text makes suggestions of what should come next based on data from past conversations. Similarly, ChatGPT creates new text based on past data. With the right prompts, ChatGPT can write marketing content, code, business forecasts, and even entire academic essays on any subject within seconds.

But is generative AI as revolutionary as people think it is, or is it lacking in real intelligence?

The Drawbacks of Generative AI

It seems simple. You’ve been assigned an essay to write for class. You go to ChatGPT and ask it to write a five-paragraph academic essay on the topic you’ve been assigned. You wait a few seconds and it generates the essay for you!

But ChatGPT is still in its early stages of development, and that essay is likely not as accurate or well-written as you’d expect it to be. Be aware of the drawbacks of having ChatGPT complete your assignments.

It’s not intelligence, it’s statistics

One of the misconceptions about AI is that it has a degree of human intelligence. However, its intelligence is actually statistical analysis, as it can only generate “original” content based on the patterns it sees in already existing data and work.

It “hallucinates”

Generative AI models often provide false information — so much so that there’s a term for it: “AI hallucination.” OpenAI even has a warning on its home screen , saying that “ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts.” This may be due to gaps in its data, or because it lacks the ability to verify what it’s generating. 

It doesn’t do research  

If you ask ChatGPT to find and cite sources for you, it will do so, but they could be inaccurate or even made up.

This is because AI doesn’t know how to look for relevant research that can be applied to your thesis. Instead, it generates content based on past content, so if a number of papers cite certain sources, it will generate new content that sounds like it’s a credible source — except it likely may not be.

There are data privacy concerns

When you input your data into a public generative AI model like ChatGPT, where does that data go and who has access to it? 

Prompting ChatGPT with original research should be a cause for concern — especially if you’re inputting study participants’ personal information into the third-party, public application. 

JPMorgan has restricted use of ChatGPT due to privacy concerns, Italy temporarily blocked ChatGPT in March 2023 after a data breach, and Security Intelligence advises that “if [a user’s] notes include sensitive data … it enters the chatbot library. The user no longer has control over the information.”

It is important to be aware of these issues and take steps to ensure that you’re using the technology responsibly and ethically. 

It skirts the plagiarism issue

AI creates content by drawing on a large library of information that’s already been created, but is it plagiarizing? Could there be instances where ChatGPT “borrows” from previous work and places it into your work without citing it? Schools and universities today are wrestling with this question of what’s plagiarism and what’s not when it comes to AI-generated work.

To demonstrate this, one Elon University professor gave his class an assignment: Ask ChatGPT to write an essay for you, and then grade it yourself. 

“Many students expressed shock and dismay upon learning the AI could fabricate bogus information,” he writes, adding that he expected some essays to contain errors, but all of them did. 

His students were disappointed that “major tech companies had pushed out AI technology without ensuring that the general population understands its drawbacks” and were concerned about how many embraced such a flawed tool.

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How to Use AI as a Tool to Support Your Work

As more students are discovering, generative AI models like ChatGPT just aren’t as advanced or intelligent as they may believe. While AI may be a poor option for writing your essay, it can be a great tool to support your work.

Generate ideas for essays

Have ChatGPT help you come up with ideas for essays. For example, input specific prompts, such as, “Please give me five ideas for essays I can write on topics related to WWII,” or “Please give me five ideas for essays I can write comparing characters in twentieth century novels.” Then, use what it provides as a starting point for your original research.

Generate outlines

You can also use ChatGPT to help you create an outline for an essay. Ask it, “Can you create an outline for a five paragraph essay based on the following topic” and it will create an outline with an introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, and a suggested thesis statement. Then, you can expand upon the outline with your own research and original thought.

Generate titles for your essays

Titles should draw a reader into your essay, yet they’re often hard to get right. Have ChatGPT help you by prompting it with, “Can you suggest five titles that would be good for a college essay about [topic]?”

The Benefits of Writing Your Essays Yourself

Asking a robot to write your essays for you may seem like an easy way to get ahead in your studies or save some time on assignments. But, outsourcing your work to ChatGPT can negatively impact not just your grades, but your ability to communicate and think critically as well. It’s always the best approach to write your essays yourself.

Create your own ideas

Writing an essay yourself means that you’re developing your own thoughts, opinions, and questions about the subject matter, then testing, proving, and defending those thoughts. 

When you complete school and start your career, projects aren’t simply about getting a good grade or checking a box, but can instead affect the company you’re working for — or even impact society. Being able to think for yourself is necessary to create change and not just cross work off your to-do list.

Building a foundation of original thinking and ideas now will help you carve your unique career path in the future.

Develop your critical thinking and analysis skills

In order to test or examine your opinions or questions about a subject matter, you need to analyze a problem or text, and then use your critical thinking skills to determine the argument you want to make to support your thesis. Critical thinking and analysis skills aren’t just necessary in school — they’re skills you’ll apply throughout your career and your life.

Improve your research skills

Writing your own essays will train you in how to conduct research, including where to find sources, how to determine if they’re credible, and their relevance in supporting or refuting your argument. Knowing how to do research is another key skill required throughout a wide variety of professional fields.

Learn to be a great communicator

Writing an essay involves communicating an idea clearly to your audience, structuring an argument that a reader can follow, and making a conclusion that challenges them to think differently about a subject. Effective and clear communication is necessary in every industry.

Be impacted by what you’re learning about : 

Engaging with the topic, conducting your own research, and developing original arguments allows you to really learn about a subject you may not have encountered before. Maybe a simple essay assignment around a work of literature, historical time period, or scientific study will spark a passion that can lead you to a new major or career.

Resources to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills

While there are many rewards to writing your essays yourself, the act of writing an essay can still be challenging, and the process may come easier for some students than others. But essay writing is a skill that you can hone, and students at Harvard Summer School have access to a number of on-campus and online resources to assist them.

Students can start with the Harvard Summer School Writing Center , where writing tutors can offer you help and guidance on any writing assignment in one-on-one meetings. Tutors can help you strengthen your argument, clarify your ideas, improve the essay’s structure, and lead you through revisions. 

The Harvard libraries are a great place to conduct your research, and its librarians can help you define your essay topic, plan and execute a research strategy, and locate sources. 

Finally, review the “ The Harvard Guide to Using Sources ,” which can guide you on what to cite in your essay and how to do it. Be sure to review the “Tips For Avoiding Plagiarism” on the “ Resources to Support Academic Integrity ” webpage as well to help ensure your success.

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The Future of AI in the Classroom

ChatGPT and other generative AI models are here to stay, so it’s worthwhile to learn how you can leverage the technology responsibly and wisely so that it can be a tool to support your academic pursuits. However, nothing can replace the experience and achievement gained from communicating your own ideas and research in your own academic essays.

About the Author

Jessica A. Kent is a freelance writer based in Boston, Mass. and a Harvard Extension School alum. Her digital marketing content has been featured on Fast Company, Forbes, Nasdaq, and other industry websites; her essays and short stories have been featured in North American Review, Emerson Review, Writer’s Bone, and others.

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• August 4, 2023
• 22 min read

Is Using ChatGPT Plagiarism? Exploring the Ethical Implications of AI Advancement

The Debate Surrounding ChatGPT and Plagiarism

In the field of artificial intelligence, the question of whether using ChatGPT can be considered plagiarism has become a point of contention. With the growing popularity of language models like ChatGPT, concerns have been raised about the ethical implications of their usage. This debate has engaged educators, students, and content creators who are grappling with the question of whether utilizing ChatGPT crosses the line into plagiarism.

This article aims to delve into this complex topic and explore whether using ChatGPT can truly be categorized as plagiarism. By unraveling the mysteries and debunking the myths surrounding this question, we hope to shed light on the ethical considerations and implications associated with employing advanced language models in various contexts.

Plagiarism, the act of presenting someone else’s work or ideas as one’s own without appropriate acknowledgement, has long been a concern in academic and creative endeavors. Traditional forms of plagiarism typically involve copying and pasting text from a source, with little to no modification. However, with the advent of advanced language models such as ChatGPT, the boundaries of plagiarism are being tested as these models are capable of producing human-like text.

One key aspect that complicates the issue is the way ChatGPT functions. Powered by deep learning algorithms and vast amounts of training data, ChatGPT generates responses based on the patterns and information it has been exposed to. It takes in a prompt and generates a text that matches the prompt’s context and language patterns. In essence, it mimics human conversation, but without any actual understanding or intention behind its responses.

So, where does the question of plagiarism come into play? Critics argue that using ChatGPT to generate text without proper attribution is akin to passing off someone else’s work as your own. They argue that even though ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence system, the output it produces is still a result of someone else’s intellectual property and should be appropriately credited.

On the other hand, proponents of ChatGPT argue that, unlike traditional plagiarism, using the language model does not involve copying or paraphrasing existing work. Since each generated response is unique and never been explicitly written before, they claim it cannot be considered plagiarism. They believe that ChatGPT is merely a tool that assists in generating text and should not be held to the same standards as human writers.

In the midst of these differing perspectives, the current debate highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the ethical implications associated with using advanced language models like ChatGPT. By exploring the intricacies of this issue, we can better navigate the blurred boundaries between originality, artificial intelligence, and plagiarism.

ChatGPT: Generating Human-like Text with Deep Learning Techniques

In the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech advancements, language models have played a crucial role in enabling human-like interactions with machines. One such remarkable language model is ChatGPT. Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 architecture, ChatGPT has revolutionized the way machines generate text by providing coherent and contextually relevant answers to user prompts.

At its core, ChatGPT is designed to mimic human conversation and generate text that closely resembles human language. This AI language model leverages the power of deep learning techniques to achieve this level of sophistication. By analyzing vast amounts of training data, ChatGPT can comprehend language patterns, grammar, and context, allowing it to produce responses that feel human-like.

The brilliance behind ChatGPT lies in its ability to understand and respond to user prompts. Whether it is a simple question or a complex sentence, ChatGPT can generate coherent and contextually relevant answers. This level of capability is made possible by the massive scale at which ChatGPT has been trained and the deep learning algorithms that underpin its functioning.

The deep learning techniques utilized by ChatGPT enable it to learn from diverse datasets, including books, articles, and internet sources, allowing it to have extensive knowledge on a wide range of topics. This vast repository of information empowers ChatGPT to respond to queries with accurate and informative answers, making it a valuable tool for users seeking assistance or information.

ChatGPT’s proficiency in generating human-like text has found applications in various domains, including customer support, content creation, and language translation. Its ability to generate coherent responses with remarkable context-sensitivity has made it a powerful aid for businesses and individuals alike.

In conclusion, ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 architecture, is a groundbreaking AI language model that has transformed the way machines generate human-like text. Utilizing deep learning techniques and analyzing vast amounts of training data, ChatGPT can respond to user prompts with coherent and contextually relevant answers. Its potential applications across various sectors indicate the immense value it offers in the field of artificial intelligence and high-tech advancements.

The Problem of Plagiarism in the High-Tech Age

In the rapidly evolving landscape of high-tech and artificial intelligence, plagiarism has become a pressing issue that cannot be ignored. Plagiarism, simply put, is the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or work without giving proper credit. While plagiarism has always been a concern in academia and creative industries, the digital age has made it easier than ever to engage in this unethical practice.

There are different forms of plagiarism, all of which share the common thread of presenting someone else’s work as your own. The most blatant and obvious form is copying and pasting directly from a source without any acknowledgement or citation. This is often seen in students who resort to this method to quickly complete assignments or essays. However, this type of plagiarism is not limited to students alone. In the high-tech age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, even professionals can be tempted to take shortcuts and plagiarize.

A subtler form of plagiarism is paraphrasing without proper citation. This involves taking someone else’s idea or argument and rewording it in your own words, while still failing to acknowledge the original source. This can be a tricky area to navigate, as some may argue that paraphrasing is not necessarily plagiarism. However, when the original source is not credited, it still constitutes plagiarism as it fails to acknowledge the intellectual contribution of the original author.

Another form of plagiarism that is often overlooked is self-plagiarism. This occurs when an individual submits their own previously published work as new and original. While it may not involve taking someone else’s work, it still violates the principles of academic integrity and intellectual property rights. Self-plagiarism can be particularly problematic in the high-tech age, where individuals may have multiple online platforms or publications where they share their work. Without proper disclosure and citation, readers can be misled into believing that they are consuming new content when in fact it is recycled material.

Plagiarism undermines the very foundations of academic integrity, creativity, and intellectual property rights. When individuals fail to attribute ideas or give proper credit to the original source, they are effectively stifling innovation and discouraging independent thought. Plagiarism not only robs the original author of their due recognition, but it also undermines the value of knowledge creation and dissemination.

In conclusion, plagiarism remains an ongoing challenge in the high-tech age. It is an unethical practice that undermines academic integrity, creativity, and intellectual property rights. As we continue to navigate the ever-expanding landscape of high-tech and artificial intelligence, it is crucial that we address this issue head-on and promote a culture of honesty, integrity, and originality.

Understanding the Ethical Implications of Using AI Language Models

Artificial Intelligence (AI) language models, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, have revolutionized the way we interact with technology. They have become powerful tools for various applications, including writing, customer service, and content generation. However, it is crucial to understand the ethical implications that come with using these AI models, particularly when it comes to content creation and plagiarism.

First and foremost, it is important to clarify that ChatGPT is not designed to plagiarize content. It is a machine learning model that has been trained on a vast amount of data to generate human-like responses. However, this does not mean that users cannot misuse ChatGPT to generate content without proper attribution.

When users leverage ChatGPT to generate textual content, they hold the responsibility of ensuring the originality of the text and giving appropriate credit where it is due. While the AI model can aid in content creation, it is ultimately up to the user to produce unique and authentic work.

The concerning issue arises when individuals misuse AI language models by generating content without proper attribution. This leads to the problem of plagiarism, which undermines the integrity of intellectual property and the hard work put in by content creators.

Therefore, it is essential for users of AI language models to be aware of their responsibilities in ensuring that the generated text is original and properly cited. Whenever ideas or content from other sources are used, it is vital to give proper credit and follow the appropriate guidelines for citation and attribution.

The ability of AI language models to mimic human-like language has raised ethical considerations that must be carefully addressed. Engaging in plagiarism should be strongly refrained from, as it not only infringes upon the rights of content creators but also hampers the growth and progress of the AI community.

As we continue to explore the capabilities of AI and integrate it into various aspects of our lives, it is imperative that we develop a comprehensive understanding of the ethical implications that come along with it. In the case of AI language models, awareness, responsibility, and respect for intellectual property are essential to ensure a fair and ethical use of this technology.

Ethical Writing Practices for Users of AI Language Models

With the advancement of AI language models, users now have access to powerful tools that can generate human-like text. However, along with this power comes a responsibility to uphold ethical writing practices. In this chapter, we will explore some key considerations that AI language model users should keep in mind to ensure ethical writing practices.

Providing Appropriate Attribution

One fundamental aspect of ethical writing is providing appropriate attribution when using information from external sources. While AI language models can assist in finding information quickly, it is essential to acknowledge the original sources in your writing. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers verify the information and delve deeper into the topic if they wish. By indicating the source of any information obtained, users maintain the integrity and transparency of their work.

Paraphrasing and Summarization Techniques

AI-generated content may serve as a useful starting point, but it is crucial for users to employ paraphrasing and summarization techniques to present the information in their own words. This ensures that the original ideas are properly integrated while providing a unique perspective. By paraphrasing and summarizing, users demonstrate their understanding of the material and avoid potential plagiarism issues. It also allows for more effective communication of ideas by tailoring the information to the intended audience.

Acknowledging the Limitations of AI-generated Content

While AI language models have come a long way in generating sophisticated and coherent text, it is important for users to acknowledge their limitations. These models are not infallible and are still prone to errors, biases, or factual inaccuracies. Users should exercise critical thinking and corroborate the information generated by AI models with reliable sources. Recognizing the limitations of AI-generated content helps maintain the accuracy and credibility of their writing.

Protecting Your Writing from Plagiarism

To safeguard their writing from unintentional plagiarism, users can utilize plagiarism checker tools. These tools compare the text against a vast database of sources to identify any potential similarities or matches. By running their content through these tools, users can identify areas that require proper attribution or rephrasing. Plagiarism checker tools provide an added layer of assurance and help users maintain the originality and integrity of their work.

In conclusion, users of AI language models hold the responsibility to uphold ethical writing practices. By providing appropriate attribution, employing paraphrasing and summarization techniques, acknowledging the limitations of AI-generated content, and utilizing plagiarism checker tools, users can ensure their writing adheres to ethical standards. It is through these practices that we can fully harness the potential of AI while maintaining the integrity of our work.

The Role of ChatGPT in Writing: Enhancing Creativity, Productivity, and Originality

Plagiarism, the act of presenting someone else’s work as one’s own, is a serious ethical concern in academia and professional settings. Whether the use of ChatGPT, an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, falls under the umbrella of plagiarism is a question that requires a thorough examination of its defining characteristics.

ChatGPT is designed to generate text responses that closely resemble human-like language based on the input it receives. It can be used in a variety of applications, including drafting emails, answering questions, and constructing conversational agents. However, it should be noted that ChatGPT is not a substitute for critical thinking and originality. Instead, it serves as a valuable tool to enhance productivity, provide insights, and offer creative solutions.

To ensure ethical use, proper attribution should always be given when utilizing ChatGPT or any other AI language model. If the text generated by ChatGPT is used in a public or academic context, it is essential to clearly acknowledge that it was generated with the assistance of an AI language model. This not only shows respect for the original source but also promotes transparency in the use of AI technologies.

One of the key advantages of using ChatGPT is its potential as a writing assistant. By leveraging its capabilities, users can benefit from suggested ideas, grammar corrections, and improvements in sentence structure. It can greatly enhance the composition process, enabling users to overcome writer’s block and facilitating smoother expression of their thoughts. However, it is crucial to emphasize that the responsibility for the final output lies with the user. The text produced should still be the user’s own work, with appropriate acknowledgments if ChatGPT’s assistance is involved.

In conclusion, while plagiarism remains a serious concern, the use of ChatGPT as a writing tool is not inherently problematic. When used responsibly and ethically, ChatGPT can serve as a valuable resource to enhance creativity, productivity, and originality without compromising the integrity of the user’s work.

The Ethics of ChatGPT and Plagiarism

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s advanced language model, is designed to be a powerful tool that assists users in generating text. It is important to note, however, that while ChatGPT itself does not engage in plagiarism, there are ethical concerns surrounding the text it produces.

One of the primary concerns is that the output from ChatGPT may contain reused phrases. This raises questions about the originality and authenticity of the generated content. While the model is trained on a vast amount of data, including internet sources, it does not have the ability to comprehend the concept of plagiarism. Therefore, it cannot ensure that the text it produces is entirely original.

As a result, it is not advisable to rely on ChatGPT for academic purposes or tasks that require original work. Plagiarism is a serious offense in educational and professional settings, and using content generated by ChatGPT without proper attribution can lead to severe consequences. Students and professionals should strive to produce their own work, utilizing ChatGPT as a tool for inspiration rather than a primary source.

Furthermore, educators have become familiar with the text generated by ChatGPT, making it easier for them to identify papers or assignments that have been produced using the model. Engaging in unethical practices, such as submitting work generated by ChatGPT as one’s own, can result in the loss of credibility and damage to one’s academic or professional reputation. Therefore, it is unwise to attempt to deceive educators or employers by utilizing this technology to bypass original thinking and effort.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT itself does not commit plagiarism, the potential for reused phrases in its generated text raises ethical concerns. Consequently, one should exercise caution and avoid relying on ChatGPT for academic work or tasks that demand originality. As educators become more familiar with the capabilities of language models like ChatGPT, attempting to pass off generated content as original work becomes increasingly risky. It is imperative that users approach the use of these tools responsibly and with integrity.

The Limitations of Plagiarism Detection Tools

Plagiarism, the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without giving proper credit, has become a growing concern in today’s digital age. With the rise of the internet and the ease of accessing information, it has become increasingly important to have effective tools to combat plagiarism. Various plagiarism detection tools have been developed to help educators, researchers, and content creators identify instances of plagiarism and ensure academic integrity. These tools are designed to use complex algorithms to compare submitted content with existing sources and identify potential matches. However, it is important to recognize that these tools have limitations that may prevent them from detecting all forms of plagiarism accurately.

One of the primary limitations of plagiarism detection tools is their inability to detect subtle forms of plagiarism. While these tools are effective at identifying direct word-for-word copying, they may struggle to detect more sophisticated forms of plagiarism, such as paraphrasing or rewording of sentences. In these cases, where the wording may be slightly changed or sentence structures rearranged, the algorithms used by these tools may not flag the content as plagiarized. This limitation poses a significant challenge as it allows individuals to manipulate the content just enough to avoid detection.

Another limitation of plagiarism detection tools is the dependence on existing sources. These tools compare the submitted content with a database of known sources to identify similarities. However, if the submitted content is original and not yet published, it may not have any matching sources in the database. This can result in a false negative, where the tool fails to detect plagiarism even if it exists. Consequently, relying solely on automated plagiarism detection tools may lead to inaccurate results and missed instances of plagiarism.

Due to these limitations, using plagiarism detection tools alone is not enough to ensure accurate analysis of plagiarism. Human review and intervention are crucial to supplement the automated processes. While plagiarism detection tools can efficiently flag potential instances of plagiarism, a human reviewer can critically analyze the flagged content for any subtle forms of plagiarism that the tool may have missed. Human intervention is particularly valuable in cases where there are legitimate reasons for similarities, such as common phrases or widely accepted knowledge.

All in all, plagiarism detection tools are valuable resources in the fight against plagiarism. However, it is essential to acknowledge their limitations and the need for human review to ensure accurate results. As technology continues to advance, developers of these tools should strive to improve their algorithms to detect increasingly sophisticated forms of plagiarism. Additionally, educators and content creators should remain vigilant and continue to emphasize the importance of academic integrity through a combination of technological solutions and human intervention.

Plagiarism Checkers: A Closer Look at Turnitin and GPTZero Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic settings and can have severe consequences for students. To prevent plagiarism, universities and colleges often recommend the use of plagiarism checkers to ensure the originality and integrity of students’ work. Two notable plagiarism checkers in the field are Turnitin and GPTZero. In this article, we will delve into the features and capabilities of these powerful tools.

Turnitin: A Trusted Plagiarism Checker Turnitin is a widely popular plagiarism checker that has been used by educational institutions for several years. Its primary function is to assess the similarity between a student’s work and existing sources available online. It does this by comparing the submitted text to a vast database of academic papers, articles, and other online content.

When a student submits their work to Turnitin, the system scans the document and generates an originality report. This report highlights any sections or phrases within the document that closely match existing sources. Additionally, Turnitin provides a percentage indicating the overall similarity between the student’s work and other texts.

GPTZero: AI-Powered Plagiarism Detection GPTZero is an AI-powered plagiarism detector that has gained recognition in recent years. Built on OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model, it offers an advanced approach to checking for plagiarized content. GPTZero can analyze texts with a minimum length of 250 words, making it suitable for a wide range of academic assignments.

What sets GPTZero apart is its ability to provide an AI likelihood score, indicating the probability of plagiarism within a given text. This score is based on the AI’s analysis of the text and its comparison with a wide array of sources available online. The higher the AI likelihood score, the higher the possibility of plagiarism.

Accuracy and Reliability Both Turnitin and GPTZero claim to be highly accurate in identifying plagiarized content. Turnitin has been a trusted tool for many years and has gained the confidence of educational institutions. While its accuracy rate is not explicitly mentioned, it is widely regarded as a reliable solution in the academic community.

GPTZero, on the other hand, prides itself on an impressive 98% accuracy rate, according to its creator. This high accuracy is attributed to the advanced machine learning algorithms employed by GPT-3, which enable it to perform comprehensive analyses and make accurate distinctions between original and plagiarized content.

Conclusion Plagiarism is a serious offense that can have significant consequences in academic settings. Turnitin and GPTZero are two plagiarism checkers that offer valuable tools to help students maintain academic integrity. While Turnitin has long been a trusted choice, GPTZero brings AI-powered analysis and an impressive accuracy rate to the table. Ultimately, the choice between these tools depends on the preferences and requirements of educational institutions and individual students.

Combating Plagiarism in Educational Institutions

Plagiarism is a pervasive issue in educational institutions that poses a significant challenge for both educators and students alike. The act of plagiarizing, or presenting someone else’s work as one’s own, not only undermines the integrity of the education system but also stifles the creative and intellectual growth of students. Educational institutions must take proactive steps to address this issue and foster an environment that encourages originality and ethical academic practices.

One of the key measures that educational institutions should implement is the development and enforcement of strong anti-plagiarism policies. These policies should clearly outline the consequences of committing plagiarism, leaving no room for ambiguity or misconceptions. By establishing a formal framework to deter and address instances of plagiarism, educational institutions send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Furthermore, it is crucial to educate students about proper citation practices and the importance of giving credit to the original authors and sources. Many cases of unintentional plagiarism can be attributed to a lack of understanding or awareness about how to attribute information correctly. By providing workshops or training sessions on proper citation formats, educators can equip students with the necessary skills to cite sources accurately.

In addition to educating students about citation practices, educational institutions should also emphasize the significance of producing original work. Students need to understand that their unique perspectives and insights are valuable contributions to their fields of study. By fostering an environment that values originality, educational institutions can inspire students to take pride in their work and take responsibility for their academic pursuits.

Ultimately, combating plagiarism requires more than just implementing policies and educating students; it requires the creation of a culture of academic integrity. Educational institutions should actively promote honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in all aspects of academic life. This can be achieved through engaging discussions about the importance of academic honesty, creating opportunities for collaboration and critical thinking, and encouraging open dialogue between students and educators. By nurturing a culture of academic integrity, educational institutions can empower students to take ownership of their work and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

In conclusion, plagiarism poses a significant challenge for educational institutions, but it is not an insurmountable one. By implementing strong policies, educating students about proper citation practices, emphasizing the importance of original work, and creating a culture of academic integrity, educational institutions can effectively combat plagiarism and ensure a fair and ethical learning environment for all.

The Future of AI and Plagiarism

As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it is inevitable that it will have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives. One area that will be greatly influenced by the rise of AI is the issue of plagiarism.

With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and generate content, AI systems hold the potential to make it easier for individuals to create original work. This can help address the problem of plagiarism by providing students, researchers, and writers with a powerful tool to enhance their creativity and produce authentic content.

However, amidst the excitement surrounding the possibilities that AI brings, it is crucial to establish trust and transparency in these systems. While AI can assist in generating original content, there is always the risk of unethical use. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between harnessing the potential of AI to combat plagiarism and addressing the ethical concerns that arise.

Responsible and accountable use of AI technology should be emphasized to ensure that it is used in a manner that upholds integrity and respects intellectual property rights. This involves implementing proper safeguards and regulations to prevent the misuse of AI systems for the purpose of plagiarizing or infringing on the work of others.

Looking ahead, the future of AI and plagiarism are undoubtedly intertwined. As AI systems continue to evolve, they will play a vital role in detecting and preventing instances of plagiarism. By leveraging the power of AI, institutions and individuals can more effectively identify and address cases of intellectual property theft.

However, it is crucial to remain vigilant and ensure that the use of AI in combating plagiarism is guided by sound ethics and principles. Technology alone cannot replace the importance of education, awareness, and fostering a culture of academic integrity. As AI becomes more integrated into our society, it is imperative that we continue to prioritize the values of originality, authenticity, and responsible use of technology.

The Ethical Use of ChatGPT to Avoid Plagiarism

As the capabilities of AI language models continue to advance, tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being used as assistance in various writing tasks. From academic papers to website content, ChatGPT offers great potential to streamline the writing process. However, it is essential to consider the ethical implications, particularly with regards to plagiarism, when utilizing this technology.

When utilizing ChatGPT for academic papers, it is crucial to remember that the final work should be original. While ChatGPT can provide valuable insights and assist in the writing process, it should be seen as a tool for inspiration and reference rather than a substitute for original work. It is the responsibility of the writer to ensure the authenticity and originality of their papers.

One potential pitfall when using ChatGPT is paraphrasing the text it generates without proper attribution. This practice can be considered plagiarism if the source is not acknowledged. To avoid ethical issues, it is crucial to acknowledge ChatGPT as the source when paraphrasing its generated text. By doing so, credit is given where it is due, and the writer maintains transparency and integrity in their work.

Similarly, when creating content for websites or blogs, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool. However, it is important to remember that the content should still be original and reflect the author’s own ideas and perspectives. While ChatGPT can provide ideas, gather information, or enhance writing, it is crucial to customize and personalize the content to align with the author’s unique voice and style. This ensures that the content stands out and offers a genuine contribution.

To ensure the ethical use of ChatGPT and avoid plagiarism concerns, several guidelines should be followed. Firstly, it is important to attribute the assistance of ChatGPT by making it clear that the text was generated with the help of an AI language model. By doing so, the writer acknowledges the role of ChatGPT in their work and avoids any misrepresentation.

Secondly, ChatGPT should be treated as a reference rather than a source. It can provide valuable guidance, inspiration, and information, but it should not be the sole basis for the content. The writer should use ChatGPT to complement their own research and ideas, ensuring that the final output represents their originality.

Fact-checking is another crucial aspect of using ChatGPT to avoid plagiarism. While ChatGPT can provide useful information, it is essential to verify and validate the information obtained. Cross-referencing the information from reliable sources helps ensure accuracy and credibility in the written work.

However, it is important to be aware of the limitations and challenges associated with using ChatGPT. Over-reliance on ChatGPT without critically engaging with the generated text can lead to unintentional plagiarism. It is vital to strike a balance and apply one’s own critical thinking skills to the information provided by ChatGPT.

Another challenge is maintaining a consistent writing style when solely relying on ChatGPT for content creation. To ensure coherence and authenticity, it is essential to customize the generated content to align with the author’s unique voice and style.

Lastly, ChatGPT may not always provide accurate or comprehensive information. Therefore, fact-checking and validating the information obtained from ChatGPT is crucial to prevent the spread of misinformation.

By following these guidelines and being aware of the limitations and challenges, writers can harness the potential of ChatGPT while ensuring ethical use and avoiding plagiarism. Ultimately, the integration of AI language models in the writing process should enhance and supplement the writer’s skills rather than replace them.

The Role of ChatGPT in Academic Integrity

ChatGPT, the language model developed by OpenAI, has been regarded as a breakthrough in natural language processing. However, its use raises concerns about academic integrity when users rely on it to generate answers or essays instead of creating the work themselves. While ChatGPT itself does not engage in blatant plagiarism, it is the potential misuse by users that poses a threat to the principles of academic honesty.

In the era of advanced technology, the boundaries between what is created by humans and what is generated by artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly blurred. As AI detectors and plagiarism detection tools continue to advance, it will become more challenging to evade scrutiny with predominantly AI-generated content. Institutions are already using these tools to ensure academic integrity and detect any instances of plagiarism.

However, the responsibility for maintaining academic integrity ultimately lies with the individual writer. It is crucial to understand that using AI tools like ChatGPT should never replace the need for critical thinking and personal input. These tools should be seen as aids to enhance one’s writing skills, rather than a means to automate the entire writing process.

One tool that can greatly assist writers in improving their work is Linguix. Linguix.com is an online writing assistant and paraphrasing tool that helps individuals enhance the quality of their written content. It provides real-time grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and conciseness checks, offering suggestions for corrections and improvements. With Linguix, writers can rely on a comprehensive writing assistant that helps them develop their writing skills while ensuring their work is free from mistakes.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT itself does not engage in plagiarism, it is the misuse of such AI tools by users that gives rise to concerns about academic integrity. As the AI detectors and plagiarism detection tools advance, relying solely on AI-generated content will become increasingly difficult. Therefore, it is crucial for writers to take responsibility for their work and view AI tools as aids to enhance their skills rather than replace their own contributions. Additionally, utilizing tools like Linguix can greatly assist writers in improving the quality of their written content, ensuring it is error-free and well-crafted.

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A college student created an app that can tell whether AI wrote an essay

Emma Bowman

GPTZero in action: The bot correctly detected AI-written text. The writing sample that was submitted? ChatGPT's attempt at "an essay on the ethics of AI plagiarism that could pass a ChatGPT detector tool." GPTZero.me/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

GPTZero in action: The bot correctly detected AI-written text. The writing sample that was submitted? ChatGPT's attempt at "an essay on the ethics of AI plagiarism that could pass a ChatGPT detector tool."

Teachers worried about students turning in essays written by a popular artificial intelligence chatbot now have a new tool of their own.

Edward Tian, a 22-year-old senior at Princeton University, has built an app to detect whether text is written by ChatGPT, the viral chatbot that's sparked fears over its potential for unethical uses in academia.

Edward Tian, a 22-year-old computer science student at Princeton, created an app that detects essays written by the impressive AI-powered language model known as ChatGPT. Edward Tian hide caption

Edward Tian, a 22-year-old computer science student at Princeton, created an app that detects essays written by the impressive AI-powered language model known as ChatGPT.

Tian, a computer science major who is minoring in journalism, spent part of his winter break creating GPTZero, which he said can "quickly and efficiently" decipher whether a human or ChatGPT authored an essay.

His motivation to create the bot was to fight what he sees as an increase in AI plagiarism. Since the release of ChatGPT in late November, there have been reports of students using the breakthrough language model to pass off AI-written assignments as their own.

"there's so much chatgpt hype going around. is this and that written by AI? we as humans deserve to know!" Tian wrote in a tweet introducing GPTZero.

Tian said many teachers have reached out to him after he released his bot online on Jan. 2, telling him about the positive results they've seen from testing it.

More than 30,000 people had tried out GPTZero within a week of its launch. It was so popular that the app crashed. Streamlit, the free platform that hosts GPTZero, has since stepped in to support Tian with more memory and resources to handle the web traffic.

How GPTZero works

To determine whether an excerpt is written by a bot, GPTZero uses two indicators: "perplexity" and "burstiness." Perplexity measures the complexity of text; if GPTZero is perplexed by the text, then it has a high complexity and it's more likely to be human-written. However, if the text is more familiar to the bot — because it's been trained on such data — then it will have low complexity and therefore is more likely to be AI-generated.

Separately, burstiness compares the variations of sentences. Humans tend to write with greater burstiness, for example, with some longer or complex sentences alongside shorter ones. AI sentences tend to be more uniform.

In a demonstration video, Tian compared the app's analysis of a story in The New Yorker and a LinkedIn post written by ChatGPT. It successfully distinguished writing by a human versus AI.

A new AI chatbot might do your homework for you. But it's still not an A+ student

Tian acknowledged that his bot isn't foolproof, as some users have reported when putting it to the test. He said he's still working to improve the model's accuracy.

But by designing an app that sheds some light on what separates human from AI, the tool helps work toward a core mission for Tian: bringing transparency to AI.

"For so long, AI has been a black box where we really don't know what's going on inside," he said. "And with GPTZero, I wanted to start pushing back and fighting against that."

The quest to curb AI plagiarism

Untangling Disinformation

Ai-generated fake faces have become a hallmark of online influence operations.

The college senior isn't alone in the race to rein in AI plagiarism and forgery. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has signaled a commitment to preventing AI plagiarism and other nefarious applications. Last month, Scott Aaronson, a researcher currently focusing on AI safety at OpenAI, revealed that the company has been working on a way to "watermark" GPT-generated text with an "unnoticeable secret signal" to identify its source.

The open-source AI community Hugging Face has put out a tool to detect whether text was created by GPT-2, an earlier version of the AI model used to make ChatGPT. A philosophy professor in South Carolina who happened to know about the tool said he used it to catch a student submitting AI-written work.

The New York City education department said on Thursday that it's blocking access to ChatGPT on school networks and devices over concerns about its "negative impacts on student learning, and concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of content."

Tian is not opposed to the use of AI tools like ChatGPT.

GPTZero is "not meant to be a tool to stop these technologies from being used," he said. "But with any new technologies, we need to be able to adopt it responsibly and we need to have safeguards."

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ChatGPT Is Making Universities Rethink Plagiarism

In late December of his sophomore year, Rutgers University student Kai Cobbs came to a conclusion he never thought possible:  Artificial intelligence might just be dumber than humans. 

After listening to his peers rave about the generative AI tool  ChatGPT , Cobbs decided to toy around with the chatbot while writing an essay on the history of capitalism. Best known for its ability to generate long-form written content in response to user input prompts, Cobbs expected the tool to produce a nuanced and thoughtful response to his specific research directions. Instead, his screen produced a generic, poorly written paper he’d never dare to claim as his own. 

“The quality of writing was appalling. The phrasing was awkward and it lacked complexity,” Cobbs says. “I just logically can’t imagine a student using writing that was generated through ChatGPT for a paper or anything when the content is just plain bad.” 

Not everyone shares Cobbs’ disdain. Ever since OpenAI launched the chatbot in November,  educators have been struggling with how to handle a new wave of student work produced with the help of artificial intelligence. While some public school systems, like New York City’s, have banned the use of ChatGPT on school devices and networks to curb cheating, universities have been reluctant to follow suit. In higher education, the introduction of generative AI has raised thorny questions about the definition of plagiarism and academic integrity on campuses where new digital research tools come into play all the time. 

Make no mistake, the birth of ChatGPT does not mark the emergence of concerns relating to the improper use of the internet in academia. When  Wikipedia launched in 2001 , universities nationwide were  scrambling to decipher their own research philosophies and understandings of honest academic work, expanding policy boundaries to match pace with technological innovation. Now, the stakes are a little more complex, as schools figure out how to treat bot-produced work rather than weird attributional logistics. The world of higher education is playing a familiar game of catch-up, adjusting their rules, expectations, and perceptions as other professions adjust, too. The only difference now is that the internet can think for itself. 

According to ChatGPT, the definition of plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without giving proper credit to the original author. But when the work is generated by some thing rather than some one , this definition is tricky to apply. As Emily Hipchen, a board member of Brown University’s Academic Code Committee, puts it, the use of generative AI by students leads to a critical point of contention. “If [plagiarism] is stealing from a person,” she says, “then I don’t know that we have a person who is being stolen from.”

Hipchen is not alone in her speculation. Alice Dailey, chair of the Academic Integrity Program at Villanova University, is also grappling with the idea of classifying an algorithm as a person, specifically if the algorithm involves text generation.

Dailey believes that eventually professors and students are going to need to understand that digital tools that generate text, rather than just collect facts, are going to need to fall under the umbrella of things that can be plagiarized from. 

Although Dailey acknowledges that this technological growth incites new concerns in the world of academia, she doesn’t find it to be a realm entirely unexplored. “I think we’ve been in a version of this territory for a while already,” Dailey says. “Students who commit plagiarism often borrow material from a ‘somewhere’—a website, for example, that doesn’t have clear authorial attribution. I suspect the definition of plagiarism will expand to include things that produce.” 

Eventually, Dailey believes, a student who uses text from ChatGPT will be seen as no different than one that copies and pastes chunks of text from Wikipedia without attribution. 

Students’ views on ChatGPT are another issue entirely. There are those, like Cobbs, who can’t imagine putting their name on anything bot-generated, but there are others who see it as just another tool, like spellcheck or even a calculator. For Brown University sophomore Jacob Gelman, ChatGPT exists merely as a convenient research assistant and nothing more.

“Calling the use of ChatGPT to pull reliable sources from the internet ‘cheating’ is absurd. It’s like saying using the internet to conduct research is unethical,” Gelman says. “To me, ChatGPT is the research equivalent of [typing assistant] Grammarly. I use it out of practicality and that’s really all.” Cobbs expressed similar sentiment, comparing the AI bot to “an online encyclopedia.”

But while students like Gelman use the bot to speed up research, others take advantage of the high-capacity prompt input feature to generate completed works for submission. It might seem obvious what qualifies as cheating here, but different schools across the country offer contrasting takes.

According to Carlee Warfield, chair of Bryn Mawr College’s Student Honor Board, the school considers any use of these AI platforms as plagiarism. The tool’s popularization just calls for greater focus in evaluating the intent behind students’ violations. Warfield explains that students who turn in essays entirely produced by AI are categorically different from those who borrow from online tools without knowledge of standard citations. Because the ChatGPT phenomenon is still new, students’ confusion surrounding the ethics is understandable. And it's unclear what policies will remain in place once the dust settles—at any school.

In the midst of fundamental change in both the academic and technological spheres, universities are forced to reconsider their definitions of academic integrity to reasonably reflect the circumstances of society. The only problem is, society shows no stagnance. 

“Villanova’s current academic integrity code will be updated to include language that prohibits the use of these tools to generate text that then students represent as text they generated independently,” Dailey explained. “But I think it’s an evolving thing. And what it can do and what we will then need in order to keep an eye on will also be kind of a moving target.”

In addition to increasingly complex questions about whether ChatGPT is a research tool or a plagiarism engine, there’s also the possibility that it can be  used for learning. In other educational settings, teachers see it as a way to show students the shortcomings of AI. Some instructors are already  modifying how they teach by giving students assignments bots couldn’t complete, like those that require personal details or anecdotes. There’s also the matter of detecting AI use in students’ work, which is a  burgeoning cottage industry all its own. 

Ultimately, Dailey says, schools may need rules that reflect a range of variables.

“My guess is that there will be the development of some broad blanket policies that essentially say, unless you have permission from a professor to use AI tools, using them will be considered a violation of the academic integrity code,” Dailey says. “That then gives faculty broad latitude to use it in their teaching or in their assignments, as long as they are stipulating explicitly that they are allowing it.”

As for ChatGTP, the program agrees. “Advances in fields such as artificial intelligence are expected to drive significant innovation in the coming years,” it says, when asked how schools can combat academic dishonesty. “Schools should constantly review and update their academic honor codes as technology evolves to ensure they are addressing the current ways in which technology is being used in academic settings.”

But, a bot would say that. 

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How to detect ChatGPT plagiarism — and why it’s becoming so difficult

Chatbots are hot stuff right now, and ChatGPT is chief among them. But thanks to how powerful and humanlike its responses are, academics, educators, and editors are all dealing with the rising tide of AI-generated plagiarism and cheating. Your old plagiarism detection tools may not be enough to sniff out the real from the fake.

Lots of detection options

Putting them to the test.

In this article, I talk a little about this nightmarish side of AI chatbots, check out a few online plagiarism detection tools, and explore how dire the situation has become.

The latest November 2022 release of startup OpenAI’s ChatGPT basically thrusted chatbot prowess into the limelight. It allowed any regular Joe (or any professional) to generate smart, intelligible essays or articles, and solve text-based mathematic problems. To the unaware or inexperienced reader, the AI-created content can quite easily pass as a legit piece of writing, which is why students love it — and teachers hate it.

A great challenge with AI writing tools is their double-edged sword ability to use natural language and grammar to build unique and almost individualized content even if the content itself was drawn from a database. That means the race to beat AI-based cheating is on. Here are some options I found that are available right now for free.

GPT-2 Output Detector comes straight from ChatGPT developer OpenAI to demonstrate that it has a bot capable of detecting chatbot text. Output Detector is easy to use — users just have to enter text into a text field and the tool will immediately provide its assessment of how likely it is that the text came from a human or not.

Two more tools that have clean UIs are Writer AI Content Detector and Content at Scale . You can either add a URL to scan the content (writer only) or manually add text. The results are given a percentage score of how likely it is that the content is human-generated.

GPTZero is a home-brewed beta tool hosted on Streamlit and created by Princeton University student Edward Zen. It’s differs from the rest in how the “algiarism” (AI-assisted plagiarism) model presents its results. GPTZero breaks the metrics into perplexity and burstiness. Burstiness measures overall randomness for all sentences in a text, while perplexity measures randomness in a sentence. The tool assigns a number to both metrics — the lower the number, the greater possibility that the text was created by a bot.

Just for fun, I included Giant Language Model Test Room (GLTR), developed by researchers from the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and Harvard Natural Language Processing Group. Like GPTZero, it doesn’t present its final results as a clear “human” or “bot” distinction. GLTR basically uses bots to identify text written by bots, since bots are less likely to select unpredictable words. Therefore, the results are presented as a color-coded histogram, ranking AI-generated text versus human-generated text. The greater the amount of unpredictable text, the more likely the text is from a human.

All these options might make you think we’re in a good spot with AI detection. But to test the actual effectiveness of each of these tools, I wanted to try it out for myself. So I ran a couple of sample paragraphs that I wrote in response to questions that I also posed to, in this case, ChatGPT.

My first question was a simple one: Why is buying a prebuilt PC frowned upon? Here’s how my own answers compared to the response from ChatGPT.

As you can see, most of these apps could tell that my words were genuine, with the first three being the most accurate. But ChatGPT fooled most of these detector apps with its response too. It scored a 99% human on the Writer AI Content Detector app, for starters, and was marked just 36% fake by GPT-based detector. GLTR was the biggest offender, claiming that my own words were equally likely to be written by a human as ChatGPT’s words.

I decided to give it one more shot, though, and this time, the responses were significantly improved. I asked ChatGPT to provide a summary of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology’s research into anti-fogging using gold particles. In this example, the detector apps did a much better job at approving my own response and detecting ChatGPT.

The top three tests really showed their strength in this response. And while GLTR still had a hard time seeing my own writing as human, at least it did a good of catching ChatGPT this time.

It’s obvious from the results of each query that online plagiarism detectors aren’t perfect. For more complex answers or pieces of writing (such as in the case of my second prompt), it’s a bit easier for these apps to detect the AI-based writing, while the simpler responses are much more difficult to deduce. But clearly, it’s not what I’d call dependable. Occasionally, these detector tools will misclassify articles or essays as ChatGPT-generated, which is a problem for teachers or editors wanting to rely on them for catching cheaters.

Developers are constantly fine-tuning accuracy and false positive rates, but they’re also bracing for the arrival of GPT-3, which touts a significantly improved dataset and more complex capabilities than GPT-2 (of which ChatGPT is trained from).

At this point, in order to identify content generated by AIs, editors and educators will need to combine judiciousness and a little bit of human intuition with one (or more) of these AI detectors. And for chatbot users who have or are tempted to use chatbots such as Chatsonic, ChatGPT, Notion, or YouChat to pass of their “work” as legit — please don’t. Repurposing content created by a bot (that sources from fixed sources within its database) is still plagiarism no matter how you look at it.

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• Artificial Intelligence

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT stands out as a groundbreaking development that has captured global attention. From its impressive capabilities and recent advancements to the heated debates surrounding its ethical implications, ChatGPT continues to make headlines.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future of AI, dive into this comprehensive guide to uncover everything you need to know about this revolutionary AI tool. What is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a natural language AI chatbot. At its most basic level, that means you can ask it a question and it will generate an answer. As opposed to a simple voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant, ChatGPT is built on what is called an LLM (Large Language Model). These neural networks are trained on huge quantities of information from the internet for deep learning -- meaning they generate altogether new responses, rather than just regurgitating canned answers. They're not built for a specific purpose like chatbots of the past -- and they're a whole lot smarter.

ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode arrived on Tuesday for a select few OpenAI subscribers chosen to be part of the highly anticipated feature's alpha release.

The feature was first announced back in May. It is designed to do away with the conventional text-based context window and instead converse using natural, spoken words, delivered in a lifelike manner. It works in a variety of regional accents and languages. According to OpenAI, Advanced Voice, "offers more natural, real-time conversations, allows you to interrupt anytime, and senses and responds to your emotions."

OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman revealed on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday that its Advanced Voice feature will begin rolling out "next week," though only for a few select ChatGPT-Plus subscribers.

The company plans to "start the alpha with a small group of users to gather feedback and expand based on what we learn."

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• Plagiarism Checker Software

Does ChatGPT Plagiarize? Examining AI and Originality

In this post

• How does ChatGPT work?
• Is ChatGPT plagiarism-free?
• How to identify ChatGPT-created content

The use of artificial intelligence or AI-assisted writing tools like ChatGPT has been on the rise since early 2022, with users ranging from students to business professionals generating written content with a handful of prompts.

But is using AI cheating at best and plagiarism at worst? 

While there’s a fine line between originality and assisted content, many people are still trying to determine where that boundary is for ChatGPT and plagiarism.

Does ChatGPT plagiarize? 

The short answer to ChatGPT plagiarism is no. ChatGPT doesn’t plagiarize in the sense that it copies and pastes written text produced by others and passes it off as its own. 

However, having been trained on datasets of thousands, if not millions, of written words, there is a possibility that some of the text ChatGPT produces could be similar to something original that already exists. While the intention isn’t to directly copy this work, the possibility is there simply due to probabilities.

Particularly when AI writing assistants aren’t trained on broad datasets, the chances of plagiarism increase as answers are being pulled from a more limited number of sources. 

While it’s unlikely that prompts will generate answers that are the same as another work verbatim, answers could contain the ideas of other writers without any credit or references for that idea being given. This is especially true when the algorithms used in these learning models are trained to work with specific linguistic patterns and sequences.

Taking content straight out of a tool like ChatGPT may itself be seen as a form of plagiarism and is something that plagiarism checker software looks for when crawling web content and comparing it against exact matches in its databases. 

For businesses, this may not seem as important when talking about web copy or other marketing materials. But, in certain industries where content is regulated or in academia and the media where original arguments are essential, this type of plagiarism can be more problematic.

How does ChatGPT work? 

ChatGPT is a writing assistant tool built by OpenAI that provides responses to prompts submitted by users. It understands different queries using its natural language processing (NLP) tools and has been trained using large language models (LLMs) with millions of pieces of data to help it produce the answers to those queries. 

The stages of how the tool was built and how it now works follow a similar pattern to other AI tools:

• Supervised pre-training . In the pre-training phase, the tool was fed a simple dataset to map functions from inputs to appropriate outputs. This is known as supervised training, with a high level of human intervention required to begin training the algorithm to recognize patterns and make its own decisions.
• Unsupervised pre-training . Once the tool had enough information to generate its own answers, data was fed into the machine with no specified output. This meant that ChatGPT had to work out the answer for itself. This is where NLP starts to occur so that the machine can recognize the different ways humans naturally speak. We can think of this part of the process as fine-tuning the machine to generate relevant and more accurate answers.
• Development of the neural network . The connections made in different parts of the machine are built to replicate the neural networks of the human brain, making it easier for the machine to learn the patterns of language in the data it's trained on. ChatGPT uses a network known as transformer architecture, which simplifies the training process to make everything work faster, resulting in cheaper AI technology. The transformer architecture is essential for the machine’s understanding of words and phrases and their relationships to each other to predict the correct response.
• Token development . Every AI machine has billions of tokens, which are assigned to words or phrases that allow the machine to assign specific meanings to these and replicate them later. These tokens are noted as numerical vectors to keep them unique and more easily readable.
• Training and human reinforcement . Once the algorithm was ready to be used, even more data was added, and the program was run. Humans carefully reviewed the outputs to ensure accuracy and would respond to ChatGPT with notes on its inaccuracies. Over time, less intervention was needed as the algorithm became smarter, thanks to the improvements in training.

Want to learn more about Plagiarism Checker Software? Explore Plagiarism Checker products.

Is chatgpt plagiarism-free .

All OpenAI platforms create new, original content based on the datasets on which they’ve been trained. For a highly sophisticated tool like ChatGPT , the written material that it produces is plagiarism-free in the sense that it’s not directly lifting material from elsewhere and passing it off as its own original idea.

Yes, but...

Paraphrasing and using ideas from other sources online is something that ChatGPT does. While it may look slightly different from being reworded or restructured, everything produced by ChatGPT has come from somewhere else — it’s in the very nature of how LLMs work. They’re trained by significant amounts of data pulled from various places, and the answers they give to prompts are reflective of this information.

It’s also important to know that even if you used the same prompt as someone sitting next to you, ChatGPT wouldn’t necessarily give both of you the exact same answer. This level of sophistication is what makes ChatGPT content so realistic compared to original human text, but it also shows how the tool doesn’t directly lift copy from somewhere else. It’s vital to remember, though, that you’ll need to edit the answers yourself to make them truly unique.

Is using content written by ChatGPT considered plagiarism? 

The answer to this question all depends on who you’re asking. If you consider the dictionary definition of plagiarism, you could feasibly argue that ChatGPT content isn’t. If you’re using the writing as it’s generated in the software, ChatGPT isn’t a person, so you’re technically not plagiarizing from someone since it’s just a computer.

However, in many fields, like academia and journalism, having original thoughts and arguments with well-researched material and references to back you up is essential for ethical integrity. This is where using ChatGPT could be considered plagiarism, as it’s really no different than getting someone else to write your article or essay for you. 

Where content needs to be original to you as the writer, it’s possible that ChatGPT-generated material could be considered plagiarized because it hasn’t come directly from you (even if it’s not technically taken from another person). 

Some organizations are trying to get around the blurry boundary of this question by stating that content was fully or in part created using AI software like ChatGPT. Some academics are even starting to cite ChatGPT as a source in their references.

How to identify ChatGPT-created content 

There are numerous ways that AI-written content stands out compared to human-produced text. While these machines become more sophisticated every day, particularly as more people use them and increase their training, there are still a handful of ways to look out for ChatGPT-created content.

Look for repeated phrases and nonsensical words

Despite the technology that’s gone into these machines, AI tools still aren’t perfect. Tone shifts, repeated phrases or sentence structures throughout the content, and any words or phrases that simply don’t make sense are a giveaway that there’s been some AI involved in at least part of the writing process. Jargon may also be more present in AI writing, where it attempts to fill knowledge gaps, particularly in very technical industries.

Reflect on the context of the content 

When reviewing written content that you’re concerned has been written by ChatGPT rather than a human, contextual clues are often one of the biggest indicators. If very specific references are made without further details and context added, or if the larger context feels like it’s missing the point entirely, it’s likely been written by AI. 

Machines still lack the tools to understand the nuance of human arguments and conversations, which is why adding your own personal touch to your writing is what makes it truly unique and memorable.

Use a plagiarism checker

No plagiarism checker is 100% accurate, but they are good at picking up on the signs that something is likely generated by AI rather than mostly human-led work. Both false positives and negatives can occur, so it’s best not to rely on these entirely and still use your own interpretation when reviewing content. 

Some companies, like OpenAI , have also integrated a watermark in their code, which flags when text is copied and pasted straight from the tool into another platform.

Top 5 plagiarism checker tools: 

• Feedback Studio (Turnitin)
• ProWritingAid
• PlagerismCheck.org

* These are the five leading plagiarism checker tools from G2’s Spring 2024 Grid® Report.

Nothing beats being uniquely and originally YOU!

While ChatGPT isn’t necessarily considered outright plagiarism, the debates continue as to where the line is drawn on the originality of this content. But that shouldn’t stop you from using these tools to help you with your writing! 

Whether you need to get started with content ideas or you’re struggling with a blog post outline, ChatGPT can be a great resource to use. Just remember to put your own stamp on your work to make it feel authentic to you and your business.

Find out more about AI writing assistants and how they can help you in the writing process, from research to correcting grammar and more.

Holly Landis

Holly Landis is a freelance writer for G2. She also specializes in being a digital marketing consultant, focusing in on-page SEO, copy, and content writing. She works with SMEs and creative businesses that want to be more intentional with their digital strategies and grow organically on channels they own. As a Brit now living in the USA, you'll usually find her drinking copious amounts of tea in her cherished Anne Boleyn mug while watching endless reruns of Parks and Rec.

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How to use ChatGPT in your assignments without getting accused of plagiarism

ChatGPT and plagiarism — these two words are coming together more often recently. 

The chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI) sounded alarm bells in education circles when it threatened to upend the authenticity of student essays. 

At Furman University, Darren Hick — a philosophy professor — caught a student turning in an AI-generated essay,  Insider   reports. 

Likewise, Antony Aumann, a religious studies and philosophy professor at Northern Michigan University, told the  news site  that he caught two students submitting essays written by ChatGPT.

The students failed their classes and were told to rewrite their essays, respectively.

That’s just the start. 

OpenAI’s latest release, GPT-4, is set to build on the mechanics of ChatGPT — providing students with a better, smarter, and faster chatbot. 

The possibilities are endless,  The Guardian  reported. 

Give GPT-4 a question for a US bar exam? It will write an essay that demonstrates legal knowledge. 

Provide it with a medical module? It will apply biomedical expertise when you ask for variations. 

The hype is real and the chatbot is powerful — but unis are starting to look keenly on how to combat the misuse of ChatGPT.

South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) might be expelled if they use AI tools, including ChatGPT, improperly or without authorisation in their work. 

SCMP also reported that students at Baptist University, another uni in Hong Kong, were told they would be committing plagiarism if they took words or ideas from other sources, including ChatGPT and other AI technologies.

What’s more, Turnitin, a provider of plagiarism checker software and other tools designed to encourage original work, has  enhanced its products  in 2023 to be more watchful of ChatGPT misuse.

If you are an international student, it’s crucial for you to proceed with caution when using ChatGPT.

One wrong move and your scores for a particular assignment might be invalidated. 

Worse, you could be suspended and expelled and could just lose your study visa  if you’re not careful.

But note that we said it’s dangerous to misuse ChatGPT — this does not mean you cannot use GPT at all.

You just have to use it the right way — therein, however, lies the problem.

The line between the right way and the wrong way of using ChatGPT is often blurred.

It is important that any student understands both sides deeply before proceeding to use the chatbot.

Here are four ways to help understand the line between ChatGPT and plagiarism: 

Baffled about how to properly utilise this powerful chatbot? Here are four ways you can use ChatGPT when writing your assignment. Source: Stefani Reynolds/AFP

5 ways to use ChatGPT when writing your assignments

1. source for ideas.

Picture this: you boot up your laptop, open a new Microsoft Word document, and rest your hands above the keyboard. 

Right as about to begin writing, you wonder: where do I start? 

Luckily, ChatGPT learns quickly. 

By “feeding” on hundreds of billions of words in the form of books, conversations and web articles based on a model known as a large language model, the chatbot produces entire sentences that come from its “learnings” of the model.  

If you feel lost about what you learned in a class like calculus or mechanical engineering, try bouncing ideas with ChatGPT.

Some questions you can ask include:

• “Is [topic] a good dissertation idea?”
• “How can I study more productively?”
• “What are some time management hacks?”

Here’s the catch: Responses are only limited to information until 2021, and this remains true even with the latest version of ChatGPT, GPT-4. 

Plus, ChatGPT doesn’t always have the most accurate answers, so you shouldn’t rely solely on it to validate your ideas.

2. Outline your assignments

Did you know that ChatGPT can also help you to draft a clear, well-structured outline for your assignment?

This is really helpful if you can’t make up your mind about a given structure, so having a sample will provide you with different variations on how your final product will look.

You can by inputting the following prompt:

“Create an outline for an academic research paper with the following research question”

You can specify the page length and the number of headings and subheadings you want to include. 

Remember that this prompt would not help the chatbot deepen its understanding of the topic. At times, ChatGPT might generate inappropriate headings. 

If so, trying the following prompt:

“This seems like too much information to fit into only eight pages. Can you condense the outline, for example, removing the appendices and simplifying the structure?”

Remember to check that the outline makes sense and covers all the points needed to answer the question in your assignment.

With the increasing popularity of AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, AI plagiarism checkers have been developed to combat the misuse of these chatbots. Source: Olivier Douliery/AFP

3. Use AI plagiarism tools

Say you did use ChatGPT for your assignment. 

How do you ensure that piece of work is plagiarism free? 

One way to separate ChatGPT and plagiarism is by using an AI plagiarism checker. 

Apart from Turnitin, you can consider using other free AI plagiarism checkers such as GPTZero , ZeroGPT , and Winston AI . 

While a plagiarism checker might not definitively determine whether a language model was used to generate a piece of text, it can help you identify instances of copying or paraphrasing from other sources.

In this, it can still be hard to detect plagiarism by an AI chatbot.

That’s because AI writing tools use natural language and grammar to craft “unique and almost individualised content,” even if the content is drawn from a database, according to Aaron Leong from Digital Trends .

4. Break down your research

Researching for an assignment is time-consuming and takes up a lot of energy. 

Remember the last time you had to comb through a dozen books just to get the right source for a killer point? 

Since ChatGPT is an AI chatbot, it can effortlessly go through large amounts of materials in a short period of time.

If you’re looking for a swift solution, here’s how the chatbot can help you summarise long articles and break down the main points: 

• Create an account or log into your account on ChatGPT. 
• Write the command, “Please summarise the following article into a list of talking points.”
• Copy and paste the link below the above command.
• Your list of pointers will show up on the screen below your chat.

5. Get the green light from your lecturers

Play safe. Never assume that your lecturers and professors are okay with how you presume you’ve used ChatGPT correctly or that your work is 100% original.

What may seem okay or ethical to you may not be seen the same way by your university.

It’s highly advisable to speak to your lecturers and be honest about all the ways you’ve used the chatbot — and get their written consent that you won’t be penalised for plagiarism for it.

It’s better that they point out any mistakes before you’ve gone ahead to write an entire essay or when it’s too late for you to make any changes.

One wrong move and you could lose your status as an international student. Source: Anthony Wallace/AFP

What happens if you are caught misusing ChatGPT in your assignments?

Your student handbook or uni’s rulebook will lay out the consequences for several misconducts, which include plagiarism.

If you were caught committing plagiarism by taking words or ideas from others sources, including ChatGPT and other AI technologies, at Baptist University, the penalties include reduced grades, course failure, suspension and dismissal, according to the  South China Morning Post .

Suspension and expulsion from your uni will affect your status as an international student. According to  Monash University’s website , the uni reports any case of suspension and expulsion to the Department of Education, which may result in the cancellation of a student’s study visa. 

At the University of Bath, students will be told to  return to their home  country if they are suspended from their studies.

The same applies in the US. One UNC Charlotte document, “Academic Dismissal and Effects on Immigration Status for F-1 and J-1 Students,” states:

“If an F-1 or J-1 student is academically dismissed (suspension or termination) during or after the semester resulting in the inability to enroll for classes, there can be severe immigration consequences .”

These consequences include their International Student and Scholar Office terminating your SEVIS record, a federal law requirement.

This is immediately after the date on which the dismissal letter was issued.

“Once your SEVIS record is terminated, you will be considered ‘Out of Status’ and you must leave the US immediately or request reinstatement from the Department of Homeland Security,” the document read.

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Will ChatGPT G et You Caught? Rethinking of Plagiarism Detection

• Conference paper
• First Online: 09 June 2023
• Cite this conference paper

• Mohammad Khalil 9 &
• Erkan Er 10  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14040))

Included in the following conference series:

• International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction

2082 Accesses

43 Citations

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and its impact on education has been a topic of growing concern in recent years. The new generation AI systems such as chatbots have become more accessible on the Internet and stronger in terms of capabilities. The use of chatbots, particularly ChatGPT, for generating academic essays at schools and colleges has sparked fears among scholars. This study aims to explore the originality of contents produced by one of the most popular AI chatbots, ChatGPT. To this end, two popular plagiarism detection tools were used to evaluate the originality of 50 essays generated by ChatGPT on various topics. Our results manifest that ChatGPT has a great potential to generate sophisticated text outputs without being well caught by the plagiarism check software. In other words, ChatGPT can create content on many topics with high originality as if they were written by someone. These findings align with the recent concerns about students using chatbots for an easy shortcut to success with minimal or no effort. Moreover, ChatGPT was asked to verify if the essays were generated by itself, as an additional measure of plagiarism check, and it showed superior performance compared to the traditional plagiarism-detection tools. The paper discusses the need for institutions to consider appropriate measures to mitigate potential plagiarism issues and advise on the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of AI technology on education. Further implications are discussed in the paper.

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Khalil, M., Er, E. (2023). Will ChatGPT G et You Caught? Rethinking of Plagiarism Detection . In: Zaphiris, P., Ioannou, A. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14040. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34411-4_32

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Using AI tools

Using ChatGPT to Write a College Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on June 26, 2023 by Koen Driessen . Revised on December 8, 2023.

A good college essay helps to distinguish your application from those of other candidates. It conveys your experiences, values, and character traits and indicates why you would make a good addition to the university you’re applying to.

Your college essay should be your own work. However, AI tools like ChatGPT may be helpful during the preparation and revision stages of your writing.

You can also use the essay checker , so you don’t have to revise your writing yourself.

You can use these tools to:

• Brainstorm essay ideas
• Develop an outline
• Generate feedback

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Table of contents

Brainstorming ideas, developing an outline, generating feedback, limitations of using chatgpt, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions.

Your college essay topic should reveal something distinctive about your personality and have a unique angle.

Brainstorming a range of potential ideas is a good place to start. This can help to stimulate creative thinking and prompt self-reflection. It can also help you draw connections between seemingly unrelated experiences or ideas.

You can use ChatGPT to generate questions to help you brainstorm.

Example: Using ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas

• Generate 10 questions to help me brainstorm topics for my college admission essay.
• How has a particular life experience shaped your perspective on a specific issue or topic?
• What challenges or obstacles have you faced, and how have they influenced your personal growth?
• How has your involvement in extracurricular activities impacted your character development and contributed to your identity?
• In what ways have you demonstrated leadership skills and made a positive impact on your community?
• Describe a significant academic achievement or project that showcases your intellectual curiosity and passion.
• How have your cultural background and family values influenced your aspirations and goals for the future?
• Reflect on a time when you had to step outside of your comfort zone to achieve a meaningful outcome. What did you learn from this experience?
• How do you envision using your education to make a difference in the world or contribute to a specific field or industry?
• What do you believe sets you apart from other applicants, and how would your unique perspective enrich the college community?
• Discuss a book, artwork, or scientific discovery that has profoundly impacted your thinking and helped shape your intellectual interests.

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College admission essays don’t follow one predefined structure, so you can approach them creatively and incorporate storytelling techniques.

Two common approaches to structuring your essay are the narrative structure (a chronological narrative that shows your character development over time) and the vignette or montage structure (multiple scenes connected by a common topic or theme).

Regardless of the structure you choose, it’s important to establish a coherent narrative and ensure that your essay flows smoothly.

You can use ChatGPT as a source of inspiration and to generate potential ideas on how to structure your college essay . Do this by prompting the tool to create an outline using your chosen topic. You can make the prompt as specific as you like, mentioning any facts or viewpoints that should be incorporated into the output.

Examples: Using ChatGPT to generate an essay outline

• Provide a very short outline for a college admission essay. The essay will be about my experience working at an animal shelter. The essay will be 500 words long.
• Hook: Share a brief and engaging anecdote about your experience at the animal shelter.
• Thesis statement: Working at an animal shelter has been a transformative experience, teaching me valuable lessons about compassion, resilience, and community impact.
• Describe your first impressions and emotions upon starting work at the shelter.
• Discuss the challenges you encountered, such as the condition of the animals or the emotional toll of their situations.
• Highlight the relationships you formed with the animals and their impact on you.
• Discuss specific instances where you witnessed the transformative power of love and care on the animals’ well-being.
• Explore the collaborative efforts within the shelter community.
• Discuss how working with others led to positive outcomes and inspired you to make a difference.
• Reflect on how working at the shelter has shaped your character and values.
• Discuss the skills and lessons learned that are applicable beyond the shelter environment.
• Connect your experiences to your future goals and aspirations.
• Summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
• Reinforce the transformative nature of your experience and your commitment to making a positive impact in the future.

You can use ChatGPT to help revise your essay before submitting it to ensure that it’s of a high quality. However, ChatGPT cannot provide the same kind of informed feedback as a human, and it’s not able to adequately judge qualities such as vulnerability and authenticity. For this reason, it’s important to also ask for feedback from two to three people who have experience with college essays and who know you well.

Nevertheless, you can use ChatGPT to generate feedback on certain aspects, such as consistency of tone, clarity of structure, and grammar and punctuation. You can also use  Scribbr’s free paraphrasing tool to help vary the tone of your writing and Scribbr’s free grammar checker to ensure your text is free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Alternatively, you can seek the advice of a human essay coach or editor. We recommend using Scribbr’s essay editing service .

Example: Using ChatGPT to get feedback

• Provide constructive feedback on how to improve the above essay with regard to appropriateness of tone, clarity of structure, and grammar and punctuation.
• The tone of the essay is generally appropriate, conveying a sense of personal growth and passion. However, consider injecting more enthusiasm and emotion into certain parts of the essay to make it more engaging and captivating.
• The overall structure of the essay is clear and follows a logical progression. However, it would benefit from a stronger introduction that hooks the reader and clearly outlines the main points to be discussed.
• Consider using clear topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph to provide a preview of the main idea or argument that will be presented.
• Pay attention to subject-verb agreement and verb tenses throughout the essay to ensure consistency.
• Proofread the essay to eliminate any repetitive phrases or sentences.
• Check for the correct use of commas and other punctuation marks, ensuring they are used appropriately to enhance clarity and flow.

Additionally, here are a few constructive suggestions for improvement:

• Expand on the ways in which working at the animal shelter influenced your future aspirations and academic/professional pursuits.
• Be mindful of using diverse vocabulary and sentence structures to enhance the overall quality of the essay.

While ChatGPT can help you brainstorm, outline, and revise your essay, having it write your essay for you can negatively impact your application in several ways.

Unoriginal content

ChatGPT responses are based on a wide range of sources and sometimes resemble existing texts. Furthermore, they are not always unique, since other users may receive the same responses to similar prompts.

As the point of a college essay is to showcase your unique experiences and perspective and make you stand out from other candidates, having ChatGPT write your essay is not a good idea.

Formulaic style

ChatGPT outputs don’t reflect your personality, are highly formulaic, and contain many clichés (e.g., outputs often use hackneyed phrases like “burning desire,” “insatiable curiosity,” and “thirst for knowledge”).

Furthermore, ChatGPT outputs often “tell” rather than “show” (i.e., they state a fact instead of illustrating it using examples and vivid imagery).

Lack of personal insight

Human-written text tends to be more unpredictable and contain more creative language choices than AI-generated writing.

While the connections you make in your writing should not be nonsensical, drawing unique and unexpected connections between different experiences can help show character development and display your creativity and critical thinking skills.

ChatGPT can’t do this. Furthermore, it can’t express authentic emotion or vulnerability about specific memories that are, after all, your memories, not ChatGPT’s.

Risk of plagiarism

Passing off AI-generated text as your own work is usually considered plagiarism (or at least academic dishonesty ). AI detectors may be used to detect this offense.

It’s highly unlikely that a university will accept your application if you are caught submitting an AI-generated college essay.

If you want more tips on using AI tools , understanding plagiarism , and citing sources , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations, examples, and formats.

• Citing ChatGPT
• Best grammar checker
• Best paraphrasing tool
• ChatGPT in your studies
• Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
• Types of plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Academic integrity
• Best plagiarism checker

Citing sources

• Citation styles
• In-text citation
• Citation examples
• Annotated bibliography

No, having ChatGPT write your college essay can negatively impact your application in numerous ways. ChatGPT outputs are unoriginal and lack personal insight.

Furthermore, Passing off AI-generated text as your own work is considered academically dishonest . AI detectors may be used to detect this offense, and it’s highly unlikely that any university will accept you if you are caught submitting an AI-generated admission essay.

However, you can use ChatGPT to help write your college essay during the preparation and revision stages (e.g., for brainstorming ideas and generating feedback).

Yes, you use ChatGPT to help write your college essay by having it generate feedback on certain aspects of your work (consistency of tone, clarity of structure, etc.).

However, ChatGPT is not able to adequately judge qualities like vulnerability and authenticity. For this reason, it’s important to also ask for feedback from people who have experience with college essays and who know you well. Alternatively, you can get advice using Scribbr’s essay editing service .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Driessen, K. (2023, December 08). Using ChatGPT to Write a College Essay | Tips & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/ai-tools/chatgpt-college-essay/

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How to Detect Text Written by ChatGPT and Other AI Tools

We tested a range of AI-detection services with text written by ChatGPT and text written by a human: These are the tools that performed best.

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme . 

Can you spot ChatGPT -generated text? The immensely popular AI is being used in emails, cover letters, marketing pitches, college essays, coding , and even some news stories. But ChatGPT's output is often so convincingly humanlike, sussing out what's written by a human and what's written by a computer program may be best left to the computers themselves.

Detection tools have proliferated in the wake of ChatGPT and alternative large language models (LLMs). Most are free, albeit with character limits (something that can be bypassed by pasting in chunks of text at a time). An AI detector can serve many purposes, from making sure the text you write doesn't come off as too generic and stilted to uncovering deception from job candidates. 

Educators are at the top of the list of those who could use a reliable way to tell whether something has been written by an AI. And they have indeed been among the early adopters of AI detector software. But just as ChatGPT and its kind can be unreliable, so too can the AI detectors designed to spot them.

In the ChatGPT subreddit, students routinely seek advice about allegations that they've used AI in their work. Such was the case for a high school student falsely accused by their history teacher of using ChatGPT. The teacher would not disclose what tool was used and, according to the student, felt justified in making the claim because the detector had helped them catch other AI-written text from other students who admitted to using ChatGPT. 

It’s a cautionary tale we wanted to tell before we get to this roundup of popular AI detectors and our experience with some of them. Since ChatGPT and the like are trained to imitate how humans speak, separating out what an AI has cribbed from common usage and what is actual text written by people is not an easy task—even for AI. 

There was some talk in the AI community of AI generators including a watermark , or signals within AI-written text that could be detected by software without affecting the text's readability. And though companies developing AI, including OpenAI and Google, told the White House they would implement watermarks , they have not done so yet.

Until the day before that announcement, OpenAI had its own AI Text Classifer but removed it, with the note: "As of July 20, 2023, the AI classifier is no longer available due to its low rate of accuracy. We are working to incorporate feedback and are currently researching more effective provenance techniques for text, and have made a commitment to develop and deploy mechanisms that enable users to understand if audio or visual content is AI-generated."

That said, we tested some of the most-used AI detectors. To try all of the free ones, I ran through text from my own story Is Dall-E the Next Dior? How AI Is Trying to 'Make It Work' in Fashion , as well as text from a ChatGPT-generated prompt: "Please write me an article on how AI is being used in the fashion industry, specifically Stable Diffusion, DALL-E 2, and Midjourney."

GPTZero was crushing the dreams of college students just days into ChatGPT making headlines. It was developed by one of their own, Princeton senior Edward Tsai , who used the knowledge from his comp-sci major and journalism minor to analyze text for “perplexity” (how complex the ideas and language are) and “burstiness” (if there’s a blend of long and short sentences rather than sentences of more uniform length). 

Tsai trained GPTZero on paired human-written and AI-generated text. While it can be used to test a single sentence (as long as it’s 250 characters or more), GPTZero's accuracy increases as it's fed more text. 

GPTZero’s origin and speed to market made it popular among educators. But the program's FAQ cautions against using results to punish students: “While we build more robust models for GPTZero, we recommend that educators take these results as one of many pieces in a holistic assessment of student work. There always exist edge cases with both instances where AI is classified as human, and human is classified as AI.”

Anyone can try GPTZero for free at GPTZero.me . It lets you check up to 5,000 characters per document via pasting or upload. There are three pricing plans: essential ($10 a month for 150,000 words), premium ($16 a month for 300,000 words), and professional ($23 a month for 500,000 words).  

The Results

Of the AI-written text I fed it, GPTZero said: "We are highly confident this text was AI-generated" My own received, "We are highly confident this text is entirely human."

Recommended by Our Editors

2. writer ai content detector.

Writer makes an AI writing tool, so it was naturally inclined to create the Writer AI Content Detector . The tool is not robust, but it is direct. You paste a URL or up to 1,500 characters into the box on its site and get a large-size percent detection score right next to it. The product is free, and those who have a Writer enterprise plan can contact the company to discuss detection at scale. 

Given about 1,500 characters of the ChatGPT-written piece, Writer AI Content Detector graded it "0% human-generated content" and recommended, "You should edit your text until there’s less detectable AI content." For about 1,1500 characters of my own piece, I got a "100% human-generated" score and a robot-issued "Fantastic!" compliment.

ZeroGPT is a straightforward, free tool for “students, teachers, educators, writers, employees, freelancers, copywriters, and everyone on earth,” which claims an accuracy rate of 98%. There are pro ($8.29 a month for 100,000 characters and some bonus features) and plus ($21.99 a month for 100,000 characters and even more features) accounts as well. It works on a proprietary, undisclosed technology the company calls DeepAnalyse, which it says is trained on trained on text collections from the internet, educational datasets, and its proprietary synthetic AI datasets produced using various language models. 

Users paste up to 15,000 characters into a box on the site and receive one of the following results: the text is human-written, AI/GPT-generated, mostly AI/GPT-generated, most likely AI/GPT-generated, likely AI/GPT-generated, contains mixed signals with some parts AI/GPT-generated, likely human-written but may include AI/GPT-generated parts, most likely human-written but may include AI/GPT-generated parts, and most likely human-written.

ZeroGPT knew what I was up to by submitting the AI-written piece. "Your text is AI/GPT Generated," it said, before giving it a score of 100% AI GPT. For my writing, I was relieved to see this conclusion: "Your text is human written," although it gave me a 1.76% AI-written score for two sentences that I definitely wrote myself.

Humans Are Still the Best AI Detectors

While these AI detectors were indeed able to tell AI-written text from text written by a human, precautions against relying completely on their results still apply. I'm a professional writer; those who are not might not have the same results with their own work. I don't mean to brag—it's just some hope for me to cling to in these times of AI journalists taking jobs from human ones .

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About Chandra Steele

Senior features writer.

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture .

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Students relying on text generated by ChatGPT risk plagiarism, scientists say

Students using chatbots like ChatGPT to complete essay assignments could be risking plagiarism due to the way the AI processes text, a study has found.

"Plagiarism comes in different flavours," said Dongwon Lee, professor of information sciences at Penn State University. "We wanted to see if language models not only copy and paste but resort to more sophisticated forms of plagiarism without realising it."

The researchers identified three forms of plagiarism: verbatim, or directly copying and pasting content; paraphrase, or rewording and restructuring content without citing the original source; and idea, or using the main idea from a text without proper attribution.

They constructed a pipeline for automated plagiarism detection and tested it against OpenAI's GPT-2 because the language model's training data is available online, allowing the researchers to compare generated texts to the eight million documents used to pre-train GPT-2.

The scientists used 210,000 generated texts to test for plagiarism in pre-trained language models and fine-tuned three language models to focus on scientific documents, scholarly articles related to Covid-19, and patent claims.

They found that the language models committed all three types of plagiarism, and that the larger the dataset and parameters used to train the model, the more often plagiarism occurred.

They also noted that fine-tuned language models reduced verbatim plagiarism but increased instances of paraphrase and idea plagiarism.

"People pursue large language models because the larger the model gets, generation abilities increase," said lead author Jooyoung Lee. "At the same time, they are jeopardising the originality and creativity of the content within the training corpus. This is an important finding."

The study highlights the need for more research into text generators and the ethical and philosophical questions that they pose, according to the researchers.

"Even though the output may be appealing, and language models may be fun to use and seem productive for certain tasks, it doesn't mean they are practical," said Thai Le, assistant professor of information science at the University of Mississippi. "In practice, we need to take care of the ethical and copyright issues that text generators pose."

Though the results of the study only apply to GPT-2, the automatic plagiarism detection process that the researchers established can be applied to newer language models like ChatGPT to determine if and how often these models plagiarise training content.

Testing for plagiarism, however, depends on the developers making the training data publicly accessible, said the researchers.

The current study can help AI researchers build more robust, reliable and responsible language models in future, according to the scientists. For now, they urge individuals to exercise caution when using text generators.

The plagiarism outcome is not something unexpected, added Dongwon Lee.

"We taught language models to mimic human writings without teaching them how not to plagiarise properly," he said. "Now, it's time to teach them to write more properly, and we have a long way to go."

Image credit: Dreamstime .

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A Princeton student built an app which can detect if ChatGPT wrote an essay to combat AI-based plagiarism

• A Princeton student built an app that aims to tell if essays were written by AIs like ChatGPT.
• The app analyzes text to see how randomly it is written, allowing it to detect if it was written by AI.
• The website hosting the app, built by Edward Tian, crashed due to high traffic.

A new app can detect whether your essay was written by ChatGPT, as researchers look to combat AI plagiarism.

Edward Tian, a computer science student at Princeton, said he spent the holiday period building GPTZero.

He shared two videos comparing the app's analysis of a New Yorker article and a letter written by ChatGPT. It correctly identified that they were respectively written by a human and AI.

—Edward Tian (@edward_the6) January 3, 2023

GPTZero scores text on its "perplexity and burstiness" – referring to how complicated it is and how randomly it is written. 

The app was so popular that it crashed "due to unexpectedly high web traffic," and currently displays a beta-signup page . GPTZero is still available to use on Tian's Streamlit page, after the website hosts stepped in to increase its capacity.

Tian, a former data journalist with the BBC, said that he was motivated to build GPTZero after seeing increased instances of AI plagiarism.

Related stories

"Are high school teachers going to want students using ChatGPT to write their history essays? Likely not," he tweeted.

The Guardian recently reported that ChatGPT is introducing its own system to combat plagiarism by making it easier to identify, and watermarking the bot's output.

That follows The New York Times' report that Google issued a "code red" alert over the AI's popularity.  

Insider's Beatrice Nolan also tested ChatGPT to write cover letters for job applications , with one hiring manager saying she'd have got an interview, though another said the letter lacked personality.

Tian added that he's planning to publish a paper with accuracy stats using student journalism articles as data, alongside Princeton's Natural Language Processing group. 

OpenAI and Tian didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside US working hours. 

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College student made app that exposes AI-written essays

Edward Tian made GPTZero to detect ChatGPT-fueled plagiarism

by Nicole Clark

ChatGPT’s artificial intelligence generated dialogue has gotten pretty sophisticated — to the point where it can write convincing sounding essays. So Edward Tian, a computer science student at Princeton, built an app called GPTZero that can “quickly and efficiently” label whether an essay was written by a person or ChatGPT.

In a series of recent tweets, Tian provided examples of GPTZero in progress; the app determined John McPhee’s New Yorker essay “Frame of Reference” to be written by a person, and a LinkedIn post to be created by a bot. On Twitter, he said he created the app over the holidays, and was motivated by the increasing possibility of AI plagiarism.

On Jan. 3, Tian tweeted that GPTZero wasn’t working, likely due to a larger than anticipated amount of web traffic. In a Substack newsletter Tian published today, he said that more than 10,000 people had tested out the publicly available version of GPTZero on Steamlit. (At time of writing, both gptzero.me and the Streamlit version are showing errors, likely due to volume of traffic.) In the newsletter, Tian said he updated the GPTZero model to “significantly reduce the rate of false positives and improve output results.”

GPTZero uses “perplexity” and “burstiness” to determine whether a passage was written by a bot. Perplexity is how random the text is in a sentence, and whether the way a sentence is constructed is unusual or surprising to the app. Burstiness compares these sentences to one another, determining their samey-ness. Human writing has more burstiness — which is to say, we tend to write with more sentence variation.

• Lensa’s viral AI art creations were bound to hypersexualize users

Concerns about plagiarism have abounded since OpenAI launched ChatGPT on Nov. 30, 2022. More than a million people used it within five days post launch . The AI-powered software can write basic essays and emulate the style of established writers. You can direct ChatGPT to copy Shakespeare’s voice, for example, or write in the style of a New Yorker essayist. There are snags in execution, but results are recognizably in the right style. It’s not hard to get the AI to write a high school English-style essay, and to find the result pretty indistinguishable from an assignment written by a student . That said, there are still limitations to what it can do. It’s easily baffled by riddles , and sometimes just makes up facts . StackOverflow also banned any ChatGPT-generated coding feedback, thanks to the frequency of errors.

In December, OpenAI said it would “watermark” ChatGPT output, in order to combat plagiarism.

In his newsletter , Tian said he’s working on more updates to GPTZero, including “improving the model capabilities, and scaling the app out fully.”

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How to Avoid Plagiarism While Using ChatGPT

Using best practices for content creation and being aware of ethical issues is necessary to prevent plagiarism when using free ChatGPT online. To ensure uniqueness and responsible information use, it is imperative to recognize the collaborative nature of user-ChatGPT interaction. Users employ techniques like precise paraphrasing and including personal experiences to keep content authentic.

It’s critical to be aware of plagiarism traps, such as excessive reliance on outside sources or insufficient citations. Using resources such as plagiarism detectors can improve the quality of responses. In this article, we’ll check How to Avoid Plagiarism While Using ChatGPT.

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How ChatGPT Helps in AI-Free Writing Process

How much plagiarism can be expected with chatgpt, other ways to detect plagiarism – free plagiarism checker & ai detector, faqs – chatgpt plagiarism free checker.

ChatGPT and AI offer so much help and support that they significantly improve the writing process. Among the many advantages of these technologies are increased originality, productivity, and overall writing quality.

First, ChatGPT helps authors by providing rapid access to a large body of knowledge. It can help you get beyond writer’s block, swiftly develop ideas, and recommend pertinent information. It can also aid in improving grammar and language, which enhances the written work’s overall coherence and professionalism.

Writers can also optimize their productivity with the help of AI tools. Automatic editing and proofreading tools make it easier to find mistakes and improve the text’s readability. This guarantees a polished end product while also saving time.

Let us see how chatGPT helps in idea generation.

Example Prompt: “Give me an idea of how to plan a good New Year resolution. Give me some that are personal, family, and professional-oriented.”

ChatGPT prompt for idea generation

You can now write unique content with chat GPT without plagiarism by following these steps;

1. Recognize plagiarism’s definition and effects:

Plagiarism is the act of directly copying text verbatim from a source, paraphrasing without giving due credit, or failing to provide credit to the original author.

• Consequences: Plagiarism has serious consequences, especially in academic and professional contexts. Academic sanctions, reputational harm, and, in certain situations, legal action are some examples of these repercussions.
• Plagiarism Types: It’s critical to distinguish between the various forms of plagiarism, including unintentional plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and direct plagiarism.
• Relevance in ChatGPT: When integrating outside content into their comments, users utilizing ChatGPT should be mindful of the potential consequences of plagiarism. This is especially important when using data from several sources to enrich or expand on content that has been developed.
• Ethical Guidelines: Stress how important it is to acknowledge original creators properly, provide citations, and try to produce original content. Respecting ethical standards guarantees that ChatGPT-generated text is used responsibly.

2. Best Practices for Citing Sources in ChatGPT Conversations:

Best practices for citing sources must be followed to guarantee openness, correctness, and moral use of information in ChatGPT exchanges. Here are some essential things to think about:

• Clear Citations: Include precise citations when using outside content in ChatGPT answers. Give due credit to the source for all materials, including author names, publication dates, and titles.
• Maintain Uniform Citation Styles: Keep your citation style uniform throughout the discourse. Following a standard format improves readability and professionalism, whether it be APA, MLA, Chicago, or another.
• Include Hyperlinks: Provide links to the sources wherever available. This shows a dedication to openness and transparency while making it easier for users to verify facts.
• Provide Proper Credit: It is essential to provide proper credit to the origins of particular ideas or notions. This level of accuracy prevents erroneous interpretations and guarantees accurate representation.
• Recognize Multiple Sources : If information comes from more than one source, credit each one separately. This procedure demonstrates a dedication to recognizing the various contributions that shape the produced content.
• Educate Users: Provide instructions on where to locate the sources and urge users to verify facts independently. This cooperative strategy encourages shared accountability for the accurate and trustworthy distribution of information.

By implementing these best practices, ChatGPT interactions promote a community of honesty and trust.

Example Prompt: “Give me an example of how you do Best Practices for Citing Sources in ChatGPT Conversations.”

ChatGPT prompt for Citing Sources

3. Advice for Skillful Paraphrasing in ChatGPT Conversations:

Paraphrasing is one of the most essential skills for using ChatGPT and preventing plagiarism. This is a brief synopsis:

• Your own words: Rephrasing information in your own words while maintaining the original meaning is essential to effective paraphrasing.
• Knowing the Essence: Before attempting to paraphrase, be sure you understand the main concepts of the original text.
• Employ Synonyms and Restructure: To communicate the same information differently, use synonyms in place of words and reorganize sentences.
• Preserve Accuracy: Ensure that the paraphrase’s content adequately reflects the original, avoiding inadvertent distortion.

4. Utilizing Proper Citation Styles with ChatGPT:

ChatGPT talks should adhere to a consistent citation style for the sake of professionalism and clarity. Here is a quick explanation:

• Following Correct Styles: For a presentation to seem professional and reliable, citation styles—APA, MLA, Chicago, and others—must be followed consistently.
• Improved Readability: Users can navigate the content more quickly and smoothly with consistency in the citation style.

Example Prompt: “Please write about Utilizing Proper Citation Styles with ChatGPT.”

ChatGPT Prompt idea for Utilizing Proper Citation Styles

5. Using ChatGPT to Recognise and Give Credit to External Content

Recognizing and acknowledging outside content in ChatGPT exchanges is essential for ethical use. Here’s a thorough explanation:

• Transparent Attribution: Provide a precise citation for every information, naming the authors or creators of any content that is included in ChatGPT answers.
• Citation components: Remember to include the publication titles, publication dates, and authors’ names. This gives users the knowledge they need to confirm and track down the content’scontent’s source.
• Respect for Intellectual Property: Giving attribution establishes a culture of integrity and conscientious information sharing in ChatGPT-generated content. It also shows respect for intellectual property rights.

Users who prioritize acknowledgment and credit foster a community based on trust and correct attribution.

6. Creating Unique Content for ChatGPT Discussions:

Encouragement of uniqueness in ChatGPT answers is essential for exciting conversations. Here’s a thorough investigation:

• Comprehending User Input: Fully understand user inquiries to deliver customized, pertinent replies that are individually created for every exchange.
• Avoid Direct Replication: Refrain from copying material verbatim from outside sources. Instead, create unique and contextually relevant content using user inquiries as prompts.
• Iterative Refinement: ChatGPT’s capacity to provide original, high-caliber material is improved by continuously refining and iterating responses to user comments.

Users make ChatGPT more authentic and engaging by emphasizing uniqueness while creating content. This ensures that the generated responses closely match the specific demands and questions of the users.

7. Using ChatGPT to Identify and Steer Clear of Common Plagiarism Pitfalls:

Being aware of frequent plagiarism risks is essential when navigating ChatGPT exchanges. Here’s a wise investigation:

• Over-reliance on External Content: Exercise caution when relying too much on other sources of information. While incorporating information is welcomed, maintaining balance is essential to prevent copying published work unintentionally.
• Inadequate Citations: Make sure all citations are complete and include titles, dates of publication, and author names. There needs to be more citations to avoid accidental plagiarism and incorrect attribution.
• Misunderstanding of Paraphrasing: Recognize that paraphrasing is more than merely word substitution. Unintentional parallels with the original content can result from misinterpretation.
• Failure to Quote When Necessary: Plagiarism may arise when text is used verbatim without using quotation marks or providing the appropriate citations.

Example Prompt: “Using Chat GPT to identify and steer clear of common plagiarism pitfalls.”

ChatGPT prompt for identifying plagiarism pitfalls

The patterns and information found in the data that ChatGPT was trained on are used to construct its responses. Although steps have been taken to guarantee uniqueness, it is possible to produce responses that inadvertently mimic already published online content. Safety mitigation has been put in place by OpenAI to reduce improper and dangerous outputs, such as plagiarism.

But exercising caution and double-checking information from trustworthy sources is essential. You can utilize tools to verify the uniqueness of the created information if plagiarism is a particular issue.

ChatGPT requires following best practices and using specialized technologies to ensure content authenticity. Here are some noteworthy resources and extra tactics for upholding integrity:

1. Copyleaks: Copyleaks is a powerful plagiarism detector that looks for similarities in text from various sources. Users can use Copyleaks to upload their ChatGPT-generated content. It allows for the detection of any accidental matches with previously published content. Using this tool is a proactive way to maintain the validity of the information.

Website: https://copyleaks.com/

2. Plagscan: Plagscan provides thorough reports on possible matches inside documents and provides a comprehensive plagiarism-checking solution. To get information about the uniqueness of their material and to resolve any issues that have been detected. This is a valuable tool for carefully reviewing generated content.

Website: https://www.plagscan.com/en/

3. Grammarly: This tool has a plagiarism detector and its well-known grammar and style-checking features. By using Grammarly, ChatGPT writers can check their work for inadvertent plagiarism. Grammarly offers recommendations for enhancements that improve linguistic accuracy and uniqueness.

Website: https://app.grammarly.com/

4. DupliChecker: DupliChecker is a simple online plagiarism detector that finds repeated text. Users can quickly copy and paste ChatGPT replies into DupliChecker to ensure the material is unique. This program serves as a readily available resource for rapid originality validation checks.

Website: https://www.duplichecker.com/

5. Turnitin: A popular tool for detecting plagiarism in academic settings, Turnitin compares submitted work to an extensive database. To make sure that content created with ChatGPT is unique and does not duplicate content from other sources, users can use Turnitin. This is a handy tool for upholding academic honesty.

Website: https://www.turnitin.com

In addition to these resources, the following tactics can improve plagiarism prevention even more:

• Encourage a culture of critical evaluation of content created with ChatGPT. Users should carefully examine their comments for unintentional resemblances to the previously published content.
• Inform users of the value of uniqueness and responsible sharing of information. Stress the need for accurate attribution, citation, and avoiding direct replication.
• ChatGPT users can create a strong foundation for preserving original content. It enforces moral standards in their interactions by combining these tools and techniques. This all-encompassing strategy supports the ChatGPT platform’s ethos of sincerity, reliability, and responsible information sharing.

Use ChatGPT as a valuable tool for writing, but be aware of its limitations and stress the value of human involvement to ensure it enhances rather than takes the place of your work’s creative and editing components. The integrity of generated work is guaranteed by being aware of typical hazards and using plagiarism detection technologies. This cooperative strategy creates an atmosphere conducive to the exchange of responsible knowledge. By adhering to these guidelines, users support the ChatGPT platform’s sincerity, reliability, and moral communication culture.

Does ChatGPT support the Grammarly plagiarism checker?

The plagiarism detector provided by Grammarly can be used to find possible matches in work created using ChatGPT. It provides recommendations for preserving uniqueness and giving credit where credit is due.

Is ChatGPT able to write without plagiarism?

Yes, by creating responses based on user input and offering contextually relevant information. ChatGPT can produce content without copying.

Can plagiarism be detected with ChatGPT?

ChatGPT generates responses in response to user prompts and lacks an existing content database. It cannot be used to detect plagiarism on its own.

Can I publish a book written by AI?

Yes, a book produced with AI aid can be published, but there are essential factors to consider, including transparency, human editing, and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

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An empirical study to understand how students use ChatGPT for writing essays and how it affects their ownership

As large language models (LLMs) become more powerful and ubiquitous, systems like ChatGPT are increasingly used by students to help them with writing tasks. To better understand how these tools are used, we investigate how students might use an LLM for essay writing, for example, to study the queries asked to ChatGPT and the responses that ChatGPT gives. To that end, we plan to conduct a user study that will record the user writing process and present them with the opportunity to use ChatGPT as an AI assistant. This study’s findings will help us understand how these tools are used and how practitioners — such as educators and essay readers — should consider writing education and evaluation based on essay writing.

1. Introduction

Over the past few years, HCI researchers have been looking into how we can use Large Language Models(LLMs) as tools to enhance the creation process   (Gero et al . , 2023 ; Zhang et al . , 2023 ; Han et al . , 2023 ) . One side of the research examines how AI has become relevant to writers  (Gero et al . , 2023 ; Zhang et al . , 2023 ) . For example, ChatGPT can provide assistance in creating ideas or proofreading an essay. Although there is concern about how students might use these LLMs to do the work for them, many instructors view the increasing use of these tools as inevitable and believe that students can still learn effectively through the thoughtful use of AI coding assistants   (Wang et al . , 2023 ) . Writing assistant tools have emerged in different ways over the last two decades, and there have been numerous papers looking into their effectiveness on essay writing for students, especially for ESL writers  (Huang et al . , 2020 ; Dong and Shi, 2021 ; Jayavalan and Razali, 2018 ; Karyuatry, 2018 ; ONeill and Russell, 2019 ; Koltovskaia, 2020 ) . While most students find increased performance with Grammarly, for example, they do not effectively use the tool, and only make moderate changes to their drafts. ChatGPT has also been investigated as a tool to help students and researchers in the creation process for natural and computer languages (Shoufan, 2023 ; Liu et al . , 2023 ; Murillo and D’Angelo, 2023 ; Stark et al . , 2023 ) . As LLMs serve as practical support tools and can produce work of comparable quality to that of humans, it can be a challenge for readers to consider these tools when they consume written content

One particular domain that shares such challenges is writing education. As these systems become stronger and more efficient, students might use ChatGPT to write their papers. This presents new, unique challenges for education. Several articles have been published in recent years on the creation of policies and expectations of LLM assistance in education (Adams et al . , 2022 ; Cotton et al . , 2023 ; Halaweh, 2023 ; Biswas, 2023 ) , and most of them have come to the conclusion that while the use of LLM will become more prevalent in the future, instructors should prepare ways for students to use it effectively. Other investigators have investigated the different risks and benefits of using these LLMs in educational environments  (Anders, 2023 ; Sok and Heng, 2023 ; Joyner, 2023 ; Warner, 2023 ; Mosaiyebzadeh et al . , 2023 ) . These papers discuss the different ways in which we can implement policies to help use LLM assistants. Other researchers have looked at the effectiveness of ChatGPT in problem-solving process (Shoufan, 2023 ; Rudolph et al . , 2023 ; Ali et al . , 2023 ; Moore et al . , 2022 ) . These papers have all found that while ChatGPT is effective at replicating human work. However, we do not understand how ChatGPT will impact how students learn essential academic skills such as writing. To understand the impact, we first need to understand how writers may use ChatGPT in their writing practice in an educational context.

Our user study seeks to answer the following research questions.

RQ1: In what ways do students use LLM-powered tools, in our case ChatGPT, in essay writing?

RQ2: How does using LLM-powered tools affect students’ perceived ownership?

Understanding the answers to these questions will help us refine how we should design writing assistant tools that integrate LLM-powered intelligence into the tools. Furthermore, this research can be leveraged to grasp the level of trust students place in LLMs, and the various approaches — policy and learning activities — instructors can adopt to prepare their students to learn writing skills and utilize these tools effectively.

To understand the different ways students use ChatGPT, we need to track the queries they make and the responses that ChatGPT provides. Since ChatGPT is an independent app, we built a system that makes ChatGPT available within the writing platform so that we can record user interactions on a large scale. Using the tool, we plan to conduct a study asking students to write an essay with ChatGPT assistance and collect data — query, response, and writing — for further analysis. We outline the details of the study below.

2.1. Instrument Development

Our application has two main features: the ChatGPT feature and a text editor. Both features are developed to track how the essay was written and what kinds of queries and responses are generated in ChatGPT, and we chose a web application to replicate ChatGPT. We want to simulate the experience of using ChatGPT in our design, so we use a tab feature to simulate a modern browser.

The first ’tab’ (Fig  1 ) of our application is a writing platform that can record the essay writing process at keystroke levels. The participant will be asked to answer an essay question in a text box that records inputs from the user, tracking cursor position, insertions, deletions, cuts, and pastes performed. We also record the timestamp so that we can see when the user made each edit. Then, we will take this recording to observe and analyze their writing process asynchronously. Having the time stamps allows us to see how they alternate between the editor and the in-house ChatGPT and how they integrated ChatGPT responses into their writing (e.g., pasted text). Later, we plan on using the recorded scenarios for an educator to evaluate what level of ChatGPT reliance is considered cheating or plagiarism. All of this will be sent to a database on submission. These features were implemented using CodeMirror 5 API and the CodeMirror-Record (Jisuanke., 2023 ) files.

To track how users use LLM chat tools like ChatGPT, we implement a chat-bot with the Open AI API (model GPT3.5-turbo), shown in Fig  2 . Users are allowed to ask any question, but the bot will be pre-prompted to be an essay assistance tool. As users use the tool, we record their query and time stamp to see how and when ChatGPT was prompted for assistance during the creation process. This will also be sent to the database on submission.

2.2. Study Details

We will ask the user to write the response to a pre-selected essay question that we have chosen and received from a professor at our university who teaches a junior-level ethics course, i.e., Professionalism in Computing. Using this prompt, we will see how university students might use ChatGPT for help with assignments.

Lastly, we will ask the user to complete an exit survey to see how users felt about using ChatGPT when writing their essays. These questions will be focused on how the tool impacts their writing performance and their perceived ownership of the essay (shown in Appendix A.1). As mentioned above, we want to simulate browser tabs for a few reasons. We want the writers to feel that ChatGPT is available to them but not forced upon them. They can choose whether or not to use it, and it is not always on the screen when writing as a distraction.

For recruitment, we will collect our data from students in an ethics and professionalism course at our university. Most of these students are in their third year and are familiar with essay writing. We will give them a monetary incentive to help with the recruitment process.

2.3. Data Analysis

We plan to analyze our data in multiple different ways. First, we will look directly at the queries made to ChatGPT. Using open coding, we will categorize these questions to see how users prompt the LLM. This will provide us with a better understanding of how people use ChatGPT in the essay creation process.

Next, we look at the essay itself. As previously stated, the recording features track the user’s inputs and store them in our database with timestamps. With this data, we can understand how the response they received from ChatGPT contributes to the writing process by comparing the responses that they get and what new content is added or how the essay is revised immediately after the responses from ChatGPT. This provides us with insight into how the users use LLM-powered tools and their effectiveness. The example metrics that we planned to use include the number of words copied ChatGPT and eventually contributed to the final text, the pace of writing, and the types of generation (e.g., keystroke, pasted text, deleted text, cut-and-pasted text) and how that correlates to ChatGPT usage.

We also plan to look at where users made changes to their code. As ChatGPT is available throughout the creation process, understanding where the changes in the writing were made is important, for example, if users backtrack and use ChatGPT as a proofreader. This could cause changes to the first line of their writing at the end of the submission, and we will be able to visualize it. Other users could potentially ignore the ChatGPT response and continue with their writing task, so looking at the location will also increase our understanding of how users utilize the LLM in their writing.

3. Expected Contributions

Overall, we expect to gain insight into how users use ChatGPT when writing essays. We will be able to identify patterns in the questions asked and to what extent they implement ChatGPT in their writing. This will be beneficial to instructors who intend to better understand how their students might use ChatGPT and allow them to recognize the level at which their students might use an LLM in their assignment or how to better integrate ChatGPT into their course. This will also benefit software engineers or individuals who wish to create an LLM-powered writing assistant because they can see what features and questions are most common, leading to the development of a better tool.

• Adams et al . (2022) Catherine Adams, Patti Pente, Gillian Lemermeyer, Joni Turville, and Geoffrey Rockwell. 2022. Artificial Intelligence and Teachers’ New Ethical Obligations. The International Review of Information Ethics 31, 1 (Nov. 2022). https://doi.org/10.29173/irie483 Number: 1.
• Ali et al . (2023) Jamal Kaid Mohammed Ali, Muayad Abdulhalim Ahmad Shamsan, Taha Ahmed Hezam, and Ahmed A. Q. Mohammed. 2023. Impact of ChatGPT on Learning Motivation: Teachers and Students’ Voices. Journal of English Studies in Arabia Felix 2, 1 (March 2023), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.56540/jesaf.v2i1.51 Number: 1.
• Anders (2023) Brent A. Anders. 2023. Is using ChatGPT cheating, plagiarism, both, neither, or forward thinking? Patterns (N Y) 4, 3 (Feb. 2023), 100694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2023.100694
• Biswas (2023) Som Biswas. 2023. Role of Chat GPT in Education. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=4369981
• Cotton et al . (2023) Debby R. E. Cotton, Peter A. Cotton, and J. Reuben Shipway. 2023. Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International 0, 0 (2023), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148 Publisher: Routledge _eprint: https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148.
• Dong and Shi (2021) Yanning Dong and Ling Shi. 2021. Using Grammarly to support students’ source-based writing practices. Assessing Writing 50 (Oct. 2021), 100564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asw.2021.100564
• Gero et al . (2023) Katy Ilonka Gero, Tao Long, and Lydia B Chilton. 2023. Social Dynamics of AI Support in Creative Writing. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems . ACM, Hamburg Germany. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3580782
• Halaweh (2023) Mohanad Halaweh. 2023. ChatGPT in education: Strategies for responsible implementation. (2023). https://digitallibrary.aau.ac.ae/handle/123456789/980 Accepted: 2023-04-13T06:53:37Z Publisher: Bastas.
• Han et al . (2023) Jieun Han, Haneul Yoo, Yoonsu Kim, Junho Myung, Minsun Kim, Hyunseung Lim, Juho Kim, Tak Yeon Lee, Hwajung Hong, So-Yeon Ahn, and Alice Oh. 2023. RECIPE: How to Integrate ChatGPT into EFL Writing Education. In Proceedings of the Tenth ACM Conference on Learning @ Scale (L@S ’23) . Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 416–420. https://doi.org/10.1145/3573051.3596200
• Huang et al . (2020) Hui-Wen Huang, Zehui Li, and Linda Taylor. 2020. The Effectiveness of Using Grammarly to Improve Students’ Writing Skills. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Distance Education and Learning (ICDEL ’20) . Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 122–127. https://doi.org/10.1145/3402569.3402594
• Jayavalan and Razali (2018) Kalpana Jayavalan and Abu Bakar Razali. 2018. Effectiveness of Online Grammar Checker to Improve Secondary Students’ English Narrative Essay Writing. 2, 1 (2018).
• Jisuanke. (2023) Jisuanke. 2023. CodeMirror-Record. https://github.com/Jisuanke/CodeMirror-Record .
• Joyner (2023) David A. Joyner. 2023. ChatGPT in Education: Partner or Pariah? XRDS 29, 3 (April 2023), 48–51. https://doi.org/10.1145/3589651
• Karyuatry (2018) Laksnoria Karyuatry. 2018. Grammarly as a Tool to Improve Students’ Writing Quality: Free Online-Proofreader across the Boundaries. JSSH (Jurnal Sains Sosial dan Humaniora) 2, 1 (May 2018), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.30595/jssh.v2i1.2297 Number: 1.
• Koltovskaia (2020) Svetlana Koltovskaia. 2020. Student engagement with automated written corrective feedback (AWCF) provided by Grammarly : A multiple case study. Assessing Writing 44 (April 2020), 100450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asw.2020.100450
• Liu et al . (2023) Zeyan Liu, Zijun Yao, Fengjun Li, and Bo Luo. 2023. Check Me If You Can: Detecting ChatGPT-Generated Academic Writing using CheckGPT. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2306.05524 arXiv:2306.05524 [cs].
• Moore et al . (2022) Steven Moore, Huy A. Nguyen, Norman Bier, Tanvi Domadia, and John Stamper. 2022. Assessing the Quality of Student-Generated Short Answer Questions Using GPT-3. In Educating for a New Future: Making Sense of Technology-Enhanced Learning Adoption , Isabel Hilliger, Pedro J. Muñoz-Merino, Tinne De Laet, Alejandro Ortega-Arranz, and Tracie Farrell (Eds.). Vol. 13450. Springer International Publishing, Cham, 243–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16290-9_18 Series Title: Lecture Notes in Computer Science.
• Mosaiyebzadeh et al . (2023) Fatemeh Mosaiyebzadeh, Seyedamin Pouriyeh, Reza Parizi, Nasrin Dehbozorgi, Mohsen Dorodchi, and Daniel Macêdo Batista. 2023. Exploring the Role of ChatGPT in Education: Applications and Challenges. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference on Information Technology Education (SIGITE ’23) . Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 84–89. https://doi.org/10.1145/3585059.3611445
• Murillo and D’Angelo (2023) Ambar Murillo and Sarah D’Angelo. 2023. An Engineering Perspective on Writing Assistants for Productivity and Creative Code. in2Writing (2023).
• ONeill and Russell (2019) Ruth ONeill and Alex Russell. 2019. Stop! Grammar time: University students’ perceptions of the automated feedback program Grammarly. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology 35, 1 (March 2019). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.3795 Number: 1.
• Rudolph et al . (2023) Jürgen Rudolph, Samson Tan, and Shannon Tan. 2023. ChatGPT: Bullshit spewer or the end of traditional assessments in higher education? Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching 6, 1 (Jan. 2023), 342–363. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.9 Number: 1.
• Shoufan (2023) Abdulhadi Shoufan. 2023. Can students without prior knowledge use ChatGPT to answer test questions? An empirical study. ACM Trans. Comput. Educ. (Oct. 2023). https://doi.org/10.1145/3628162 Just Accepted.
• Sok and Heng (2023) Sarin Sok and Kimkong Heng. 2023. ChatGPT for Education and Research: A Review of Benefits and Risks. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4378735
• Stark et al . (2023) Jessi Stark, Anthony Tang, Young-Ho Kim, Joonsuk Park, and Daniel Wigdor. 2023. Can AI Support Fiction Writers Without Writing For Them? in2Writing (2023).
• Wang et al . (2023) Tianjia Wang, Daniel Vargas Díaz, Chris Brown, and Yan Chen. 2023. Exploring the Role of AI Assistants in Computer Science Education: Methods, Implications, and Instructor Perspectives. In 2023 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing (VL/HCC) . IEEE, 92–102.
• Warner (2023) John Warner. 2023. ChatGPT Can’t Kill Anything Worth Preserving. https://biblioracle.substack.com/p/chatgpt-cant-kill-anything-worth . https://biblioracle.substack.com/p/chatgpt-cant-kill-anything-worth
• Zhang et al . (2023) Zheng Zhang, Jie Gao, Ranjodh Singh Dhaliwal, and Toby Jia-Jun Li. 2023. VISAR: A Human-AI Argumentative Writing Assistant with Visual Programming and Rapid Draft Prototyping. In Proceedings of the 36th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology . ACM, San Francisco CA USA, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1145/3586183.3606800

Appendix A Appendix

A.1. exit survey.

Thank you for participating in our study. Please answer the following questions as part of our exit survey.

For the following questions, please answer based on your perceived ownership of the essay:

I feel that this is my essay

strongly agree, agree, somewhat agree, neutral, somewhat disagree, disagree, strongly disagree

I feel that this essay belongs to me

I feel a high degree of ownership towards this essay

I feel the need to protect my ideas from being used by others.

I feel that this essays success is my success

I feel this essay was written by me

I feel the need to protect the ideas written in the essay

I do not feel like anyone else wrote this essay.

For the following questions, please answer based on your usage of ChatGPT:

I feel like ChatGPT helped me in the creation process of my writing

I feel like ChatGPT helped me with proofreading my essay

I feel like ChatGPT made my essay better

I liked using ChatGPT as an assistant during my essay writing

My writing would have been better without ChatGPT assistance

Thank you for completing our survey. Winners of the essay writing competition will receive an email after the study is complete.

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A.I. Could Be Great for College Essays

Every year, the artificial intelligence company OpenAI improves its text-writing bot, GPT. And every year, the internet responds with shrieks of woe about the impending end of human-penned prose. This cycle repeated last week when OpenAI launched ChatGPT —a version of GPT that can seemingly spit out any text, from a Mozart-styled piano piece to the history of London in the style of Dr. Seuss . The response on Twitter was unanimous: The college essay is doomed. Why slave over a paper when ChatGPT can write an original for you?

Chatting with ChatGPT is fun. (Go play with it !) But the college essay isn’t doomed, and A.I. like ChatGPT won’t replace flesh and blood writers. They may make writing easier, though.

GPT-3, released by OpenAI in 2020, is the third and best-known version of OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformer—a computer program known as a large language model. Large language models produce language in response to language—typically, text-based prompts (“Write me a sonnet about love”). Unlike traditional computer programs that execute a series of hard-coded commands, language models are trained by sifting through large datasets of text like Wikipedia. Through this training, they learn patterns in language that are then used to generate the most likely completions to questions or commands.

Language is rife with repetition. Our ability to recognize and remember regularities in speech and text allows us to do things like complete a friend’s sentence or solve a Wordle in three tries. If I asked you to finish the sentence, The ball rolled down the … you’d say hill, and so would GPT-3. Large language models are, like people, great at learning regularities in language, and they use this trick to generate human-like text. But when tested on their ability to understand the language they produce, they often look more like parrots than poets.

Gary Marcus, an emeritus professor at NYU and the author of Rebooting AI , is a vocal critic of the idea that bots like GPT-3 understand what they’re writing . In a recent preprint (an academic paper that hasn’t been peer-reviewed), Marcus and two co-authors used OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 to demonstrate the limitations of large language models. DALL-E 2 , like GPT-3, responds to text-based prompts. But instead of producing language, it creates images. DALL-E 2 was trained to learn associations between images and their captions to produce entirely new images based on the text users enter. If you ask it for, say, “an impressionist painting of Albert Einstein surfing” you get the four images below.

Not bad, right? DALL-E 2 was recently used to win an art competition .

But as Marcus and his co-authors point out in their paper , DALL-E 2 doesn’t understand the relationship between the words that users enter. If, for instance, you ask it to produce an image of “an old man talking to his parents,” you get four images of three people talking. The AI fails to understand that, however old the old man looks, the people he’s talking to must, by definition of being his parents, look older.

Compared with DALL-E 2, ChatGPT appears to have a better grasp of the text users enter and the responses it spits out. This might be why the Internet responded to its release so enthusiastically. ChatGPT “is causing jaws to drop and brows to furrow,” wrote Axios .

I had trouble stumping it with some classic riddles from cognitive psychology. Take the Lily Pad problem:

Prompt: A lily pad, in a pond, doubles in size every day. On the 20 th day, it covers the entire pond. On what day did it cover half the pond?

ChatGPT: A lily pad in a pond that doubles in size every day will cover half the pond on the 19 th day, one day before it covers the entire pond.

The A.I. got that the question described exponential growth—a phenomenon that, as the pandemic demonstrated, many humans fail to understand. But I did fool ChatGPT with the bat and ball problem made famous by Princeton psychologist Daniel Kahneman’s book, Thinking, Fast and Slow :

Prompt: A bat and ball cost $1.10. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

ChatGPT: If the bat costs $1 more than the ball, and the bat and ball cost $1.10 in total, then the ball must cost $1.10 - $1.00 = $0.10.

The correct answer is 5 cents. (Trust me.)

ChatGPT might fail at tests of reasoning, but it’s great at generating humanlike text to different lengths and in various styles. This brings us back to the college essay—an easy task for ChatGPT, many commentators claimed on Twitter. “We’re witnessing the death of the college essay in realtime,” tweeted one Google employee . Ethan Mollick, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania, had ChatGPT write an essay question , create a grading rubric for said question, answer the question, and grade its own answer. (It got an A minus.) How could the essay not be doomed?

This isn’t the first time that large language models have been predicted to fell the essay or worse. “To spend ten minutes with Sudowrite [a GPT-3-based A.I.] is to recognize that the undergraduate essay, the basic pedagogical mode of all humanities, will soon be under severe pressure,” wrote journalist Stephen Marche in a 2021 New Yorker piece. (On Tuesday, Marche wrote an article for the Atlantic titled “ The College Essay Is Dead .”) And in 2019, when GPT-2 was created, OpenAI withheld it from the public because the “fear of malicious applications” was too high .

If any group were to put an A.I. to malicious use, essay-burdened undergraduates would surely be the first. But the evidence that A.I. is being used to complete university assignments is hard to find. (When I asked my class of 47 students recently about using A.I. for schoolwork, they looked at me like I was mad.) It could be a matter of time and access before A.I. is used more widely by students to cheat; ChatGPT is the first free text-writing bot from OpenAI (although it won’t be free forever). But it could also be that large language models are just not very good at answering the types of questions professors ask.

If you ask ChatGPT to write an essay contrasting socialism and capitalism, it produces what you expect: 28 grammatical sentences covering wealth distribution, poverty reduction, and employment stability under these two economic systems. But few professors ask students to write papers on broad questions like this. Broad questions lead to a rainbow of responses that are impossible to grade objectively. And the more you make the question like something a student might get—narrow, and focused on specific, course-related content—the worse ChatGPT performs.

I gave ChatGPT a question about the relationship between language and colour perception, that I ask my third-year psychology of language class, and it bombed . Not only did its response lack detail, but it attributed a paper I instructed it to describe to an entirely different study. Several more questions produced the same vague and error-riddled results. If one of my students handed in the text ChatGPT generated, they’d get an F.

Large language models generate the most likely responses based on the text they are fed during training, and, for now, that text doesn’t include the reading lists of thousands of college classes. They also prevaricate. The model’s calculation of the most probable text completion is not always the most correct response—or even a true response. When I asked Gary Marcus about the prospect of ChatGPT writing college essays his answer was blunt: “It’s basically a bullshit artist. And bullshitters rarely get As—they get Cs or worse.”

If these problems are fixed—and, based on how these models work, it’s unclear that they can be—I doubt A.I. like ChatGPT will produce good papers. Even humans who write papers for money struggle to do it well. In 2014, a department of the U.K. government published a study of history and English papers produced by online-essay writing services for senior high school students. Most of the papers received a grade of C or lower. Much like the work of ChatGPT, the papers were vague and error-filled. It’s hard to write a good essay when you lack detailed, course-specific knowledge of the content that led to the essay question.

ChatGPT may fail at writing a passable paper, but it’s a useful pedagogical tool that could help students write papers themselves. Ben Thompson, who runs the technology blog and newsletter Stratechery, wrote about this change in a post about ChatGPT and history homework. Thompson asked ChatGPT to complete his daughter’s assignment on the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes; the A.I. produced three error-riddled paragraphs. But, as Thompson points out, failures like this don’t mean that we should trash the tech. In the future, A.I. like ChatGPT can be used in the classroom to generate text that students then fact-check and edit. That is, these bots solve the problem of the blank page by providing a starting point for papers. I couldn’t agree more.

I frequently used ChatGPT while working on this piece. I asked for definitions that, after a fact-check, I included. At times, I threw entire paragraphs from this piece into ChatGPT to see if it produced prettier prose. Sometimes it did, and then I used that text. Why not? Like spell check, a thesaurus, and Wikipedia, ChatGPT made the task of writing a little easier. I hope my students use it.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate , New America , and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.

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GPT-fabricated scientific papers on Google Scholar: Key features, spread, and implications for preempting evidence manipulation

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Academic journals, archives, and repositories are seeing an increasing number of questionable research papers clearly produced using generative AI. They are often created with widely available, general-purpose AI applications, most likely ChatGPT, and mimic scientific writing. Google Scholar easily locates and lists these questionable papers alongside reputable, quality-controlled research. Our analysis of a selection of questionable GPT-fabricated scientific papers found in Google Scholar shows that many are about applied, often controversial topics susceptible to disinformation: the environment, health, and computing. The resulting enhanced potential for malicious manipulation of society’s evidence base, particularly in politically divisive domains, is a growing concern.

Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Borås, Sweden

Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences, Lund University, Sweden

Division of Environmental Communication, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

Research Questions

• Where are questionable publications produced with generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) that can be found via Google Scholar published or deposited?
• What are the main characteristics of these publications in relation to predominant subject categories?
• How are these publications spread in the research infrastructure for scholarly communication?
• How is the role of the scholarly communication infrastructure challenged in maintaining public trust in science and evidence through inappropriate use of generative AI?

research note Summary

• A sample of scientific papers with signs of GPT-use found on Google Scholar was retrieved, downloaded, and analyzed using a combination of qualitative coding and descriptive statistics. All papers contained at least one of two common phrases returned by conversational agents that use large language models (LLM) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Google Search was then used to determine the extent to which copies of questionable, GPT-fabricated papers were available in various repositories, archives, citation databases, and social media platforms.
• Roughly two-thirds of the retrieved papers were found to have been produced, at least in part, through undisclosed, potentially deceptive use of GPT. The majority (57%) of these questionable papers dealt with policy-relevant subjects (i.e., environment, health, computing), susceptible to influence operations. Most were available in several copies on different domains (e.g., social media, archives, and repositories).
• Two main risks arise from the increasingly common use of GPT to (mass-)produce fake, scientific publications. First, the abundance of fabricated “studies” seeping into all areas of the research infrastructure threatens to overwhelm the scholarly communication system and jeopardize the integrity of the scientific record. A second risk lies in the increased possibility that convincingly scientific-looking content was in fact deceitfully created with AI tools and is also optimized to be retrieved by publicly available academic search engines, particularly Google Scholar. However small, this possibility and awareness of it risks undermining the basis for trust in scientific knowledge and poses serious societal risks.

Implications

The use of ChatGPT to generate text for academic papers has raised concerns about research integrity. Discussion of this phenomenon is ongoing in editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and on social media (Bom, 2023; Stokel-Walker, 2024; Thorp, 2023). There are now several lists of papers suspected of GPT misuse, and new papers are constantly being added. 1 See for example Academ-AI, https://www.academ-ai.info/ , and Retraction Watch, https://retractionwatch.com/papers-and-peer-reviews-with-evidence-of-chatgpt-writing/ . While many legitimate uses of GPT for research and academic writing exist (Huang & Tan, 2023; Kitamura, 2023; Lund et al., 2023), its undeclared use—beyond proofreading—has potentially far-reaching implications for both science and society, but especially for their relationship. It, therefore, seems important to extend the discussion to one of the most accessible and well-known intermediaries between science, but also certain types of misinformation, and the public, namely Google Scholar, also in response to the legitimate concerns that the discussion of generative AI and misinformation needs to be more nuanced and empirically substantiated  (Simon et al., 2023).

Google Scholar, https://scholar.google.com , is an easy-to-use academic search engine. It is available for free, and its index is extensive (Gusenbauer & Haddaway, 2020). It is also often touted as a credible source for academic literature and even recommended in library guides, by media and information literacy initiatives, and fact checkers (Tripodi et al., 2023). However, Google Scholar lacks the transparency and adherence to standards that usually characterize citation databases. Instead, Google Scholar uses automated crawlers, like Google’s web search engine (Martín-Martín et al., 2021), and the inclusion criteria are based on primarily technical standards, allowing any individual author—with or without scientific affiliation—to upload papers to be indexed (Google Scholar Help, n.d.). It has been shown that Google Scholar is susceptible to manipulation through citation exploits (Antkare, 2020) and by providing access to fake scientific papers (Dadkhah et al., 2017). A large part of Google Scholar’s index consists of publications from established scientific journals or other forms of quality-controlled, scholarly literature. However, the index also contains a large amount of gray literature, including student papers, working papers, reports, preprint servers, and academic networking sites, as well as material from so-called “questionable” academic journals, including paper mills. The search interface does not offer the possibility to filter the results meaningfully by material type, publication status, or form of quality control, such as limiting the search to peer-reviewed material.

To understand the occurrence of ChatGPT (co-)authored work in Google Scholar’s index, we scraped it for publications, including one of two common ChatGPT responses (see Appendix A) that we encountered on social media and in media reports (DeGeurin, 2024). The results of our descriptive statistical analyses showed that around 62% did not declare the use of GPTs. Most of these GPT-fabricated papers were found in non-indexed journals and working papers, but some cases included research published in mainstream scientific journals and conference proceedings. 2 Indexed journals mean scholarly journals indexed by abstract and citation databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, where the indexation implies journals with high scientific quality. Non-indexed journals are journals that fall outside of this indexation. More than half (57%) of these GPT-fabricated papers concerned policy-relevant subject areas susceptible to influence operations. To avoid increasing the visibility of these publications, we abstained from referencing them in this research note. However, we have made the data available in the Harvard Dataverse repository.

The publications were related to three issue areas—health (14.5%), environment (19.5%) and computing (23%)—with key terms such “healthcare,” “COVID-19,” or “infection”for health-related papers, and “analysis,” “sustainable,” and “global” for environment-related papers. In several cases, the papers had titles that strung together general keywords and buzzwords, thus alluding to very broad and current research. These terms included “biology,” “telehealth,” “climate policy,” “diversity,” and “disrupting,” to name just a few.  While the study’s scope and design did not include a detailed analysis of which parts of the articles included fabricated text, our dataset did contain the surrounding sentences for each occurrence of the suspicious phrases that formed the basis for our search and subsequent selection. Based on that, we can say that the phrases occurred in most sections typically found in scientific publications, including the literature review, methods, conceptual and theoretical frameworks, background, motivation or societal relevance, and even discussion. This was confirmed during the joint coding, where we read and discussed all articles. It became clear that not just the text related to the telltale phrases was created by GPT, but that almost all articles in our sample of questionable articles likely contained traces of GPT-fabricated text everywhere.

Evidence hacking and backfiring effects

Generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) can be used to produce texts that mimic scientific writing. These texts, when made available online—as we demonstrate—leak into the databases of academic search engines and other parts of the research infrastructure for scholarly communication. This development exacerbates problems that were already present with less sophisticated text generators (Antkare, 2020; Cabanac & Labbé, 2021). Yet, the public release of ChatGPT in 2022, together with the way Google Scholar works, has increased the likelihood of lay people (e.g., media, politicians, patients, students) coming across questionable (or even entirely GPT-fabricated) papers and other problematic research findings. Previous research has emphasized that the ability to determine the value and status of scientific publications for lay people is at stake when misleading articles are passed off as reputable (Haider & Åström, 2017) and that systematic literature reviews risk being compromised (Dadkhah et al., 2017). It has also been highlighted that Google Scholar, in particular, can be and has been exploited for manipulating the evidence base for politically charged issues and to fuel conspiracy narratives (Tripodi et al., 2023). Both concerns are likely to be magnified in the future, increasing the risk of what we suggest calling evidence hacking —the strategic and coordinated malicious manipulation of society’s evidence base.

The authority of quality-controlled research as evidence to support legislation, policy, politics, and other forms of decision-making is undermined by the presence of undeclared GPT-fabricated content in publications professing to be scientific. Due to the large number of archives, repositories, mirror sites, and shadow libraries to which they spread, there is a clear risk that GPT-fabricated, questionable papers will reach audiences even after a possible retraction. There are considerable technical difficulties involved in identifying and tracing computer-fabricated papers (Cabanac & Labbé, 2021; Dadkhah et al., 2023; Jones, 2024), not to mention preventing and curbing their spread and uptake.

However, as the rise of the so-called anti-vaxx movement during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing obstruction and denial of climate change show, retracting erroneous publications often fuels conspiracies and increases the following of these movements rather than stopping them. To illustrate this mechanism, climate deniers frequently question established scientific consensus by pointing to other, supposedly scientific, studies that support their claims. Usually, these are poorly executed, not peer-reviewed, based on obsolete data, or even fraudulent (Dunlap & Brulle, 2020). A similar strategy is successful in the alternative epistemic world of the global anti-vaccination movement (Carrion, 2018) and the persistence of flawed and questionable publications in the scientific record already poses significant problems for health research, policy, and lawmakers, and thus for society as a whole (Littell et al., 2024). Considering that a person’s support for “doing your own research” is associated with increased mistrust in scientific institutions (Chinn & Hasell, 2023), it will be of utmost importance to anticipate and consider such backfiring effects already when designing a technical solution, when suggesting industry or legal regulation, and in the planning of educational measures.

Recommendations

Solutions should be based on simultaneous considerations of technical, educational, and regulatory approaches, as well as incentives, including social ones, across the entire research infrastructure. Paying attention to how these approaches and incentives relate to each other can help identify points and mechanisms for disruption. Recognizing fraudulent academic papers must happen alongside understanding how they reach their audiences and what reasons there might be for some of these papers successfully “sticking around.” A possible way to mitigate some of the risks associated with GPT-fabricated scholarly texts finding their way into academic search engine results would be to provide filtering options for facets such as indexed journals, gray literature, peer-review, and similar on the interface of publicly available academic search engines. Furthermore, evaluation tools for indexed journals 3 Such as LiU Journal CheckUp, https://ep.liu.se/JournalCheckup/default.aspx?lang=eng . could be integrated into the graphical user interfaces and the crawlers of these academic search engines. To enable accountability, it is important that the index (database) of such a search engine is populated according to criteria that are transparent, open to scrutiny, and appropriate to the workings of  science and other forms of academic research. Moreover, considering that Google Scholar has no real competitor, there is a strong case for establishing a freely accessible, non-specialized academic search engine that is not run for commercial reasons but for reasons of public interest. Such measures, together with educational initiatives aimed particularly at policymakers, science communicators, journalists, and other media workers, will be crucial to reducing the possibilities for and effects of malicious manipulation or evidence hacking. It is important not to present this as a technical problem that exists only because of AI text generators but to relate it to the wider concerns in which it is embedded. These range from a largely dysfunctional scholarly publishing system (Haider & Åström, 2017) and academia’s “publish or perish” paradigm to Google’s near-monopoly and ideological battles over the control of information and ultimately knowledge. Any intervention is likely to have systemic effects; these effects need to be considered and assessed in advance and, ideally, followed up on.

Our study focused on a selection of papers that were easily recognizable as fraudulent. We used this relatively small sample as a magnifying glass to examine, delineate, and understand a problem that goes beyond the scope of the sample itself, which however points towards larger concerns that require further investigation. The work of ongoing whistleblowing initiatives 4 Such as Academ-AI, https://www.academ-ai.info/ , and Retraction Watch, https://retractionwatch.com/papers-and-peer-reviews-with-evidence-of-chatgpt-writing/ . , recent media reports of journal closures (Subbaraman, 2024), or GPT-related changes in word use and writing style (Cabanac et al., 2021; Stokel-Walker, 2024) suggest that we only see the tip of the iceberg. There are already more sophisticated cases (Dadkhah et al., 2023) as well as cases involving fabricated images (Gu et al., 2022). Our analysis shows that questionable and potentially manipulative GPT-fabricated papers permeate the research infrastructure and are likely to become a widespread phenomenon. Our findings underline that the risk of fake scientific papers being used to maliciously manipulate evidence (see Dadkhah et al., 2017) must be taken seriously. Manipulation may involve undeclared automatic summaries of texts, inclusion in literature reviews, explicit scientific claims, or the concealment of errors in studies so that they are difficult to detect in peer review. However, the mere possibility of these things happening is a significant risk in its own right that can be strategically exploited and will have ramifications for trust in and perception of science. Society’s methods of evaluating sources and the foundations of media and information literacy are under threat and public trust in science is at risk of further erosion, with far-reaching consequences for society in dealing with information disorders. To address this multifaceted problem, we first need to understand why it exists and proliferates.

Finding 1: 139 GPT-fabricated, questionable papers were found and listed as regular results on the Google Scholar results page. Non-indexed journals dominate.

Most questionable papers we found were in non-indexed journals or were working papers, but we did also find some in established journals, publications, conferences, and repositories. We found a total of 139 papers with a suspected deceptive use of ChatGPT or similar LLM applications (see Table 1). Out of these, 19 were in indexed journals, 89 were in non-indexed journals, 19 were student papers found in university databases, and 12 were working papers (mostly in preprint databases). Table 1 divides these papers into categories. Health and environment papers made up around 34% (47) of the sample. Of these, 66% were present in non-indexed journals.

Finding 2: GPT-fabricated, questionable papers are disseminated online, permeating the research infrastructure for scholarly communication, often in multiple copies. Applied topics with practical implications dominate.

The 20 papers concerning health-related issues are distributed across 20 unique domains, accounting for 46 URLs. The 27 papers dealing with environmental issues can be found across 26 unique domains, accounting for 56 URLs.  Most of the identified papers exist in multiple copies and have already spread to several archives, repositories, and social media. It would be difficult, or impossible, to remove them from the scientific record.

As apparent from Table 2, GPT-fabricated, questionable papers are seeping into most parts of the online research infrastructure for scholarly communication. Platforms on which identified papers have appeared include ResearchGate, ORCiD, Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology (JPTCP), Easychair, Frontiers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE), and X/Twitter. Thus, even if they are retracted from their original source, it will prove very difficult to track, remove, or even just mark them up on other platforms. Moreover, unless regulated, Google Scholar will enable their continued and most likely unlabeled discoverability.

A word rain visualization (Centre for Digital Humanities Uppsala, 2023), which combines word prominences through TF-IDF 5 Term frequency–inverse document frequency , a method for measuring the significance of a word in a document compared to its frequency across all documents in a collection. scores with semantic similarity of the full texts of our sample of GPT-generated articles that fall into the “Environment” and “Health” categories, reflects the two categories in question. However, as can be seen in Figure 1, it also reveals overlap and sub-areas. The y-axis shows word prominences through word positions and font sizes, while the x-axis indicates semantic similarity. In addition to a certain amount of overlap, this reveals sub-areas, which are best described as two distinct events within the word rain. The event on the left bundles terms related to the development and management of health and healthcare with “challenges,” “impact,” and “potential of artificial intelligence”emerging as semantically related terms. Terms related to research infrastructures, environmental, epistemic, and technological concepts are arranged further down in the same event (e.g., “system,” “climate,” “understanding,” “knowledge,” “learning,” “education,” “sustainable”). A second distinct event further to the right bundles terms associated with fish farming and aquatic medicinal plants, highlighting the presence of an aquaculture cluster.  Here, the prominence of groups of terms such as “used,” “model,” “-based,” and “traditional” suggests the presence of applied research on these topics. The two events making up the word rain visualization, are linked by a less dominant but overlapping cluster of terms related to “energy” and “water.”

The bar chart of the terms in the paper subset (see Figure 2) complements the word rain visualization by depicting the most prominent terms in the full texts along the y-axis. Here, word prominences across health and environment papers are arranged descendingly, where values outside parentheses are TF-IDF values (relative frequencies) and values inside parentheses are raw term frequencies (absolute frequencies).

Finding 3: Google Scholar presents results from quality-controlled and non-controlled citation databases on the same interface, providing unfiltered access to GPT-fabricated questionable papers.

Google Scholar’s central position in the publicly accessible scholarly communication infrastructure, as well as its lack of standards, transparency, and accountability in terms of inclusion criteria, has potentially serious implications for public trust in science. This is likely to exacerbate the already-known potential to exploit Google Scholar for evidence hacking (Tripodi et al., 2023) and will have implications for any attempts to retract or remove fraudulent papers from their original publication venues. Any solution must consider the entirety of the research infrastructure for scholarly communication and the interplay of different actors, interests, and incentives.

We searched and scraped Google Scholar using the Python library Scholarly (Cholewiak et al., 2023) for papers that included specific phrases known to be common responses from ChatGPT and similar applications with the same underlying model (GPT3.5 or GPT4): “as of my last knowledge update” and/or “I don’t have access to real-time data” (see Appendix A). This facilitated the identification of papers that likely used generative AI to produce text, resulting in 227 retrieved papers. The papers’ bibliographic information was automatically added to a spreadsheet and downloaded into Zotero. 6 An open-source reference manager, https://zotero.org .

We employed multiple coding (Barbour, 2001) to classify the papers based on their content. First, we jointly assessed whether the paper was suspected of fraudulent use of ChatGPT (or similar) based on how the text was integrated into the papers and whether the paper was presented as original research output or the AI tool’s role was acknowledged. Second, in analyzing the content of the papers, we continued the multiple coding by classifying the fraudulent papers into four categories identified during an initial round of analysis—health, environment, computing, and others—and then determining which subjects were most affected by this issue (see Table 1). Out of the 227 retrieved papers, 88 papers were written with legitimate and/or declared use of GPTs (i.e., false positives, which were excluded from further analysis), and 139 papers were written with undeclared and/or fraudulent use (i.e., true positives, which were included in further analysis). The multiple coding was conducted jointly by all authors of the present article, who collaboratively coded and cross-checked each other’s interpretation of the data simultaneously in a shared spreadsheet file. This was done to single out coding discrepancies and settle coding disagreements, which in turn ensured methodological thoroughness and analytical consensus (see Barbour, 2001). Redoing the category coding later based on our established coding schedule, we achieved an intercoder reliability (Cohen’s kappa) of 0.806 after eradicating obvious differences.

The ranking algorithm of Google Scholar prioritizes highly cited and older publications (Martín-Martín et al., 2016). Therefore, the position of the articles on the search engine results pages was not particularly informative, considering the relatively small number of results in combination with the recency of the publications. Only the query “as of my last knowledge update” had more than two search engine result pages. On those, questionable articles with undeclared use of GPTs were evenly distributed across all result pages (min: 4, max: 9, mode: 8), with the proportion of undeclared use being slightly higher on average on later search result pages.

To understand how the papers making fraudulent use of generative AI were disseminated online, we programmatically searched for the paper titles (with exact string matching) in Google Search from our local IP address (see Appendix B) using the googlesearch – python library(Vikramaditya, 2020). We manually verified each search result to filter out false positives—results that were not related to the paper—and then compiled the most prominent URLs by field. This enabled the identification of other platforms through which the papers had been spread. We did not, however, investigate whether copies had spread into SciHub or other shadow libraries, or if they were referenced in Wikipedia.

We used descriptive statistics to count the prevalence of the number of GPT-fabricated papers across topics and venues and top domains by subject. The pandas software library for the Python programming language (The pandas development team, 2024) was used for this part of the analysis. Based on the multiple coding, paper occurrences were counted in relation to their categories, divided into indexed journals, non-indexed journals, student papers, and working papers. The schemes, subdomains, and subdirectories of the URL strings were filtered out while top-level domains and second-level domains were kept, which led to normalizing domain names. This, in turn, allowed the counting of domain frequencies in the environment and health categories. To distinguish word prominences and meanings in the environment and health-related GPT-fabricated questionable papers, a semantically-aware word cloud visualization was produced through the use of a word rain (Centre for Digital Humanities Uppsala, 2023) for full-text versions of the papers. Font size and y-axis positions indicate word prominences through TF-IDF scores for the environment and health papers (also visualized in a separate bar chart with raw term frequencies in parentheses), and words are positioned along the x-axis to reflect semantic similarity (Skeppstedt et al., 2024), with an English Word2vec skip gram model space (Fares et al., 2017). An English stop word list was used, along with a manually produced list including terms such as “https,” “volume,” or “years.”

• Artificial Intelligence
• / Search engines

Cite this Essay

Haider, J., Söderström, K. R., Ekström, B., & Rödl, M. (2024). GPT-fabricated scientific papers on Google Scholar: Key features, spread, and implications for preempting evidence manipulation. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review . https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-156

• / Appendix B

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Chinn, S., & Hasell, A. (2023). Support for “doing your own research” is associated with COVID-19 misperceptions and scientific mistrust. Harvard Kennedy School (HSK) Misinformation Review, 4 (3). https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-117

Cholewiak, S. A., Ipeirotis, P., Silva, V., & Kannawadi, A. (2023). SCHOLARLY: Simple access to Google Scholar authors and citation using Python (1.5.0) [Computer software]. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5764801

Dadkhah, M., Lagzian, M., & Borchardt, G. (2017). Questionable papers in citation databases as an issue for literature review. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling , 11 (2), 181–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-016-0370-6

Dadkhah, M., Oermann, M. H., Hegedüs, M., Raman, R., & Dávid, L. D. (2023). Detection of fake papers in the era of artificial intelligence. Diagnosis , 10 (4), 390–397. https://doi.org/10.1515/dx-2023-0090

DeGeurin, M. (2024, March 19). AI-generated nonsense is leaking into scientific journals. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-generated-text-scientific-journals/

Dunlap, R. E., & Brulle, R. J. (2020). Sources and amplifiers of climate change denial. In D.C. Holmes & L. M. Richardson (Eds.), Research handbook on communicating climate change (pp. 49–61). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789900408.00013

Fares, M., Kutuzov, A., Oepen, S., & Velldal, E. (2017). Word vectors, reuse, and replicability: Towards a community repository of large-text resources. In J. Tiedemann & N. Tahmasebi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st Nordic Conference on Computational Linguistics (pp. 271–276). Association for Computational Linguistics. https://aclanthology.org/W17-0237

Google Scholar Help. (n.d.). Inclusion guidelines for webmasters . https://scholar.google.com/intl/en/scholar/inclusion.html

Gu, J., Wang, X., Li, C., Zhao, J., Fu, W., Liang, G., & Qiu, J. (2022). AI-enabled image fraud in scientific publications. Patterns , 3 (7), 100511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2022.100511

Gusenbauer, M., & Haddaway, N. R. (2020). Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta-analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources. Research Synthesis Methods , 11 (2), 181–217.   https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1378

Haider, J., & Åström, F. (2017). Dimensions of trust in scholarly communication: Problematizing peer review in the aftermath of John Bohannon’s “Sting” in science. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology , 68 (2), 450–467. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.23669

Huang, J., & Tan, M. (2023). The role of ChatGPT in scientific communication: Writing better scientific review articles. American Journal of Cancer Research , 13 (4), 1148–1154. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10164801/

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This research has been supported by Mistra, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research, through the research program Mistra Environmental Communication (Haider, Ekström, Rödl) and the Marcus and Amalia Wallenberg Foundation [2020.0004] (Söderström).

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

The research described in this article was carried out under Swedish legislation. According to the relevant EU and Swedish legislation (2003:460) on the ethical review of research involving humans (“Ethical Review Act”), the research reported on here is not subject to authorization by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (“etikprövningsmyndigheten”) (SRC, 2017).

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original author and source are properly credited.

Data Availability

All data needed to replicate this study are available at the Harvard Dataverse: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/WUVD8X

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on the article manuscript as well as the editorial group of Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review for their thoughtful feedback and input.

Why Students Should Resist Using ChatGPT

Students should avoid chatgpt because learning to write is learning to think..

Posted September 8, 2024 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

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• Genuine learning is transformative.
• Learning to write is learning to think.
• Your character is implicated in your coursework.

I remember my library orientation in grammar school. My classmates and I gathered around wooden filing drawers, where we read index cards marked with Dewey decimals. These index cards, the librarian told us, were the entry to a world of ideas. We could use them to locate books. It was mesmerizing.

This whole process seemed anticlimactic, however, the very next day. That day, the same librarian explained that book-locating information was also available on a website. We could select books quickly, all while sitting in a chair.

In those days, we lived in the seams of the digital and pre-digital age. The librarian was not confident that the new technology would persist. So, as kids, we kept one foot planted in each world, learning the digital landscape while also physically navigating libraries.

A refrain throughout educational history is reckoning with new tools—embracing, rejecting, ignoring, or otherwise. Digital card catalogues are an example. And perhaps because many tools have been an asset in educational spaces—facilitating the process of learning—many schools have developed broadly hospitable stances toward them. But not all tools are equally constructive. Some tools undermine our learning, the most recent example being ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot (really, one example of several) that creates human-like conversations using natural language processing. Stated simply, it responds to the questions one asks, drawing on stores of information and its interactions with other users. Within the first two months of its launch in January of 2023, ChatGPT already had 100 million active users. [1]

Where ChatGPT impacts education , most worryingly, is in completing tasks assigned to students. Students can outsource thinking—allowing AI to digest difficult readings on their behalf. They can also request that ChatGPT construct essays assigned by professors.

ChatGPT is still new, and teachers and institutions have varying policies regulating its use—some more stringent, some more lenient. Regardless, there are strong reasons students should resist this tool.

1. Genuine learning is transformative

In “An Invitation to the Pain of Learning,” Mortimer Adler writes: "Anyone who has done any thinking, even a little bit, knows that it is painful. It is hard work—in fact, the very hardest that human beings are ever called upon to do. It is fatiguing, not refreshing. If allowed to follow the path of least resistance, no one would ever think." [2]

This is a problem, Adler continues, because “genuine learning is…thinking,” and thinking is transformative. [3] It involves an interior transformation of a person’s mind and character.

Often when my students use ChatGPT or related technologies, they do so to avoid the arduous task of thinking . This is a problem because much of the transformative work of their educations occurs through the process of wrestling with ideas and discerning their significance. To outsource this work means a student comes away unchanged, or uneducated.

Furthermore, —in the same way that finishing a marathon can be painful yet life-giving, or completing a difficult work task can be challenging but satisfying, learning is not simply painful. It is also deeply enjoyable, full of wonder, pleasant, and gratifying. Learning is worth the difficulty.

2. Learning to write is learning to think

When I entered college, I would start my essays and get lost. I lost my place in arguments, was disorganized, and never knew what was important enough to include.

This was not just an issue of my writing—as though I was a clear-minded thinker who struggled to put things on paper. My issues in writing demonstrated that I was not good at thinking . My weaknesses as a thinker just became obvious when I tried to write things down.

I point this out because sometimes students think of writing as busy work. Now that they have ChatGPT to write essays on their behalf—bad essays, by the way, but essays nonetheless—they eagerly outsource that task. But learning to write is learning to think . Thinking is something we need to do well to flourish as human beings.

3. Your character is implicated in your coursework

Earlier I cited Adler on the painfulness of learning. This may sound familiar if you have read a difficult book or struggled through an essay. In those moments, it can be tempting to quit and do anything else, rather than to ‘stay in place’ and do your work.

But remaining in difficulty is part of human freedom—to commit to some good end and to see it through to completion. Can you make yourself complete a difficult task without being turned aside by distractions or quitting? If not, you are not really a free person.

Sure, AI can do tasks for you. But you miss the opportunity to grow in perseverance, resilience , and self-control . Moreover, given that AI is a platform for which plagiarism and false ascriptions of content ownership are norms, there are other integrity reasons to resist its use.

Final thoughts

Education is about the formation of a person. ChatGPT and related technologies undermine this important task. My recommendation is for students to resist the temptation to use it in the context of reading and writing, if indeed they wish to be transformed by their learning.

M. Adler. 1941. An Invitation to the Pain of Learning. The Journal of Educational Sociology . 14(6): 358-363.

T. Wu et al., 2023. A Brief Overview of ChatGPT: The History, Status Quo and Potential Future Development. IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica , 10(5): 1122-1136.

[1] T. Wu et al., 2023. A Brief Overview of ChatGPT: The History, Status Quo and Potential Future Development. IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica , 10(5): 1122-1136.

[2] M. Adler. 1941. An Invitation to the Pain of Learning. The Journal of Educational Sociology . 14(6): 358-363.

[3] M. Adler. 1941. An Invitation to the Pain of Learning, 360.

Sabrina B. Little, Ph.D ., is an assistant professor of Leadership and American Studies at Christopher Newport University, and author of The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners.

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ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about the AI-powered chatbot

ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has taken the world by storm since its launch in November 2022. What started as a tool to hyper-charge productivity through writing essays and code with short text prompts has evolved into a behemoth used by more than 92% of Fortune 500 companies .

That growth has propelled OpenAI itself into becoming one of the most-hyped companies in recent memory. And its latest partnership with Apple for its upcoming generative AI offering, Apple Intelligence, has given the company another significant bump in the AI race.

2024 also saw the release of GPT-4o, OpenAI’s new flagship omni model for ChatGPT. GPT-4o is now the default free model, complete with voice and vision capabilities. But after demoing GPT-4o, OpenAI paused one of its voices , Sky, after allegations that it was mimicking Scarlett Johansson’s voice in “Her.”

OpenAI is facing internal drama, including the sizable exit of co-founder and longtime chief scientist Ilya Sutskever as the company dissolved its Superalignment team. OpenAI is also facing a lawsuit from Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers , including the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune, for alleged copyright infringement, following a similar suit filed by The New York Times last year.

Here’s a timeline of ChatGPT product updates and releases, starting with the latest, which we’ve been updating throughout the year. And if you have any other questions, check out our ChatGPT FAQ here.

Timeline of the most recent ChatGPT updates

September 2024, august 2024, february 2024, january 2024.

• ChatGPT FAQs

OpenAI reaches 1 million paid users of its corporate offerings

OpenAI announced it has surpassed 1 million paid users for its versions of ChatGPT intended for businesses, including ChatGPT Team, ChatGPT Enterprise and its educational offering, ChatGPT Edu. The company said that nearly half of OpenAI’s corporate users are based in the US.

Volkswagen rolls out its ChatGPT assistant to the US

Volkswagen is taking its ChatGPT voice assistant experiment to vehicles in the United States. Its ChatGPT-integrated Plus Speech voice assistant is an AI chatbot based on Cerence’s Chat Pro product and a LLM from OpenAI and will begin rolling out on September 6 with the 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI models.

OpenAI inks content deal with Condé Nast

As part of the new deal, OpenAI will surface stories from Condé Nast properties like The New Yorker, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Bon Appétit and Wired in ChatGPT and SearchGPT. Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch implied that the “multi-year” deal will involve payment from OpenAI in some form and a Condé Nast spokesperson told TechCrunch that OpenAI will have permission to train on Condé Nast content.

We’re partnering with Condé Nast to deepen the integration of quality journalism into ChatGPT and our SearchGPT prototype. https://t.co/tiXqSOTNAl — OpenAI (@OpenAI) August 20, 2024

Our first impressions of ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode

TechCrunch’s Maxwell Zeff has been playing around with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode, in what he describes as “the most convincing taste I’ve had of an AI-powered future yet.” Compared to Siri or Alexa, Advanced Voice Mode stands out with faster response times, unique answers and the ability to answer complex questions. But the feature falls short as an effective replacement for virtual assistants.

OpenAI shuts down election influence operation that used ChatGPT

OpenAI has banned a cluster of ChatGPT accounts linked to an Iranian influence operation that was generating content about the U.S. presidential election. OpenAI identified five website fronts presenting as both progressive and conservative news outlets that used ChatGPT to draft several long-form articles, though it doesn’t seem that it reached much of an audience.

OpenAI finds that GPT-4o does some weird stuff sometimes

OpenAI has found that GPT-4o, which powers the recently launched alpha of Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT, can behave in strange ways. In a new “red teaming” report, OpenAI reveals some of GPT-4o’s weirder quirks, like mimicking the voice of the person speaking to it or randomly shouting in the middle of a conversation.

ChatGPT’s mobile app reports its biggest month yet

After a big jump following the release of OpenAI’s new GPT-4o “omni” model, the mobile version of ChatGPT has now seen its biggest month of revenue yet. The app pulled in $28 million in net revenue from the App Store and Google Play in July, according to data provided by app intelligence firm Appfigures.

OpenAI could potentially catch students who cheat with ChatGPT

OpenAI has built a watermarking tool that could potentially catch students who cheat by using ChatGPT — but The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is debating whether to actually release it. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is researching tools that can detect writing from ChatGPT, but said it’s taking a “deliberate approach” to releasing it.

ChatGPT’s advanced Voice Mode starts rolling out to some users

OpenAI is giving users their first access to GPT-4o’s updated realistic audio responses. The alpha version is now available to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users, and the company says the feature will gradually roll out to all Plus users in the fall of 2024. The release follows controversy surrounding the voice’s similarity to Scarlett Johansson, leading OpenAI to delay its release.

We’re starting to roll out advanced Voice Mode to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users. Advanced Voice Mode offers more natural, real-time conversations, allows you to interrupt anytime, and senses and responds to your emotions. pic.twitter.com/64O94EhhXK — OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 30, 2024

OpenAI announces new search prototype, SearchGPT

OpenAI is testing SearchGPT, a new AI search experience to compete with Google. SearchGPT aims to elevate search queries with “timely answers” from across the internet, as well as the ability to ask follow-up questions. The temporary prototype is currently only available to a small group of users and its publisher partners, like The Atlantic, for testing and feedback.

We’re testing SearchGPT, a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources. We’re launching with a small group of users for feedback and plan to integrate the experience into ChatGPT. https://t.co/dRRnxXVlGh pic.twitter.com/iQpADXmllH — OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 25, 2024

OpenAI could lose $5 billion this year, report claims

A new report from The Information , based on undisclosed financial information, claims OpenAI could lose up to $5 billion due to how costly the business is to operate. The report also says the company could spend as much as $7 billion in 2024 to train and operate ChatGPT.

OpenAI unveils GPT-4o mini

OpenAI released its latest small AI model, GPT-4o mini . The company says GPT-4o mini, which is cheaper and faster than OpenAI’s current AI models, outperforms industry leading small AI models on reasoning tasks involving text and vision. GPT-4o mini will replace GPT-3.5 Turbo as the smallest model OpenAI offers. 

OpenAI partners with Los Alamos National Laboratory for bioscience research

OpenAI announced a partnership with the Los Alamos National Laboratory to study how AI can be employed by scientists in order to advance research in healthcare and bioscience. This follows other health-related research collaborations at OpenAI, including Moderna and Color Health.

OpenAI and Los Alamos National Laboratory announce partnership to study AI for bioscience research https://t.co/WV4XMZsHBA — OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 10, 2024

OpenAI makes CriticGPT to find mistakes in GPT-4

OpenAI announced it has trained a model off of GPT-4, dubbed CriticGPT , which aims to find errors in ChatGPT’s code output so they can make improvements and better help so-called human “AI trainers” rate the quality and accuracy of ChatGPT responses.

We’ve trained a model, CriticGPT, to catch bugs in GPT-4’s code. We’re starting to integrate such models into our RLHF alignment pipeline to help humans supervise AI on difficult tasks: https://t.co/5oQYfrpVBu — OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 27, 2024

OpenAI inks content deal with TIME

OpenAI and TIME announced a multi-year strategic partnership that brings the magazine’s content, both modern and archival, to ChatGPT. As part of the deal, TIME will also gain access to OpenAI’s technology in order to develop new audience-based products.

We’re partnering with TIME and its 101 years of archival content to enhance responses and provide links to stories on https://t.co/LgvmZUae9M : https://t.co/xHAYkYLxA9 — OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 27, 2024

OpenAI delays ChatGPT’s new Voice Mode

OpenAI planned to start rolling out its advanced Voice Mode feature to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but it says lingering issues forced it to postpone the launch to July. OpenAI says Advanced Voice Mode might not launch for all ChatGPT Plus customers until the fall, depending on whether it meets certain internal safety and reliability checks.

ChatGPT releases app for Mac

ChatGPT for macOS is now available for all users . With the app, users can quickly call up ChatGPT by using the keyboard combination of Option + Space. The app allows users to upload files and other photos, as well as speak to ChatGPT from their desktop and search through their past conversations.

The ChatGPT desktop app for macOS is now available for all users. Get faster access to ChatGPT to chat about email, screenshots, and anything on your screen with the Option + Space shortcut: https://t.co/2rEx3PmMqg pic.twitter.com/x9sT8AnjDm — OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 25, 2024

Apple brings ChatGPT to its apps, including Siri

Apple announced at WWDC 2024 that it is bringing ChatGPT to Siri and other first-party apps and capabilities across its operating systems. The ChatGPT integrations, powered by GPT-4o, will arrive on iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia later this year, and will be free without the need to create a ChatGPT or OpenAI account. Features exclusive to paying ChatGPT users will also be available through Apple devices .

Apple is bringing ChatGPT to Siri and other first-party apps and capabilities across its operating systems #WWDC24 Read more: https://t.co/0NJipSNJoS pic.twitter.com/EjQdPBuyy4 — TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) June 10, 2024

House Oversight subcommittee invites Scarlett Johansson to testify about ‘Sky’ controversy

Scarlett Johansson has been invited to testify about the controversy surrounding OpenAI’s Sky voice at a hearing for the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation. In a letter, Rep. Nancy Mace said Johansson’s testimony could “provide a platform” for concerns around deepfakes.

ChatGPT experiences two outages in a single day

ChatGPT was down twice in one day: one multi-hour outage in the early hours of the morning Tuesday and another outage later in the day that is still ongoing. Anthropic’s Claude and Perplexity also experienced some issues.

You're not alone, ChatGPT is down once again. pic.twitter.com/Ydk2vNOOK6 — TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) June 4, 2024

The Atlantic and Vox Media ink content deals with OpenAI

The Atlantic and Vox Media have announced licensing and product partnerships with OpenAI . Both agreements allow OpenAI to use the publishers’ current content to generate responses in ChatGPT, which will feature citations to relevant articles. Vox Media says it will use OpenAI’s technology to build “audience-facing and internal applications,” while The Atlantic will build a new experimental product called Atlantic Labs .

I am delighted that @theatlantic now has a strategic content & product partnership with @openai . Our stories will be discoverable in their new products and we'll be working with them to figure out new ways that AI can help serious, independent media : https://t.co/nfSVXW9KpB — nxthompson (@nxthompson) May 29, 2024

OpenAI signs 100K PwC workers to ChatGPT’s enterprise tier

OpenAI announced a new deal with management consulting giant PwC . The company will become OpenAI’s biggest customer to date, covering 100,000 users, and will become OpenAI’s first partner for selling its enterprise offerings to other businesses.

OpenAI says it is training its GPT-4 successor

OpenAI announced in a blog post that it has recently begun training its next flagship model to succeed GPT-4. The news came in an announcement of its new safety and security committee, which is responsible for informing safety and security decisions across OpenAI’s products.

Former OpenAI director claims the board found out about ChatGPT on Twitter

On the The TED AI Show podcast, former OpenAI board member Helen Toner revealed that the board did not know about ChatGPT until its launch in November 2022. Toner also said that Sam Altman gave the board inaccurate information about the safety processes the company had in place and that he didn’t disclose his involvement in the OpenAI Startup Fund.

Sharing this, recorded a few weeks ago. Most of the episode is about AI policy more broadly, but this was my first longform interview since the OpenAI investigation closed, so we also talked a bit about November. Thanks to @bilawalsidhu for a fun conversation! https://t.co/h0PtK06T0K — Helen Toner (@hlntnr) May 28, 2024

ChatGPT’s mobile app revenue saw biggest spike yet following GPT-4o launch

The launch of GPT-4o has driven the company’s biggest-ever spike in revenue on mobile , despite the model being freely available on the web. Mobile users are being pushed to upgrade to its $19.99 monthly subscription, ChatGPT Plus, if they want to experiment with OpenAI’s most recent launch.

OpenAI to remove ChatGPT’s Scarlett Johansson-like voice

After demoing its new GPT-4o model last week, OpenAI announced it is pausing one of its voices , Sky, after users found that it sounded similar to Scarlett Johansson in “Her.”

OpenAI explained in a blog post that Sky’s voice is “not an imitation” of the actress and that AI voices should not intentionally mimic the voice of a celebrity. The blog post went on to explain how the company chose its voices: Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper and Sky.

We’ve heard questions about how we chose the voices in ChatGPT, especially Sky. We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them. Read more about how we chose these voices: https://t.co/R8wwZjU36L — OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 20, 2024

ChatGPT lets you add files from Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive

OpenAI announced new updates for easier data analysis within ChatGPT . Users can now upload files directly from Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, interact with tables and charts, and export customized charts for presentations. The company says these improvements will be added to GPT-4o in the coming weeks.

We're rolling out interactive tables and charts along with the ability to add files directly from Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive into ChatGPT. Available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users over the coming weeks. https://t.co/Fu2bgMChXt pic.twitter.com/M9AHLx5BKr — OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 16, 2024

OpenAI inks deal to train AI on Reddit data

OpenAI announced a partnership with Reddit that will give the company access to “real-time, structured and unique content” from the social network. Content from Reddit will be incorporated into ChatGPT, and the companies will work together to bring new AI-powered features to Reddit users and moderators.

We’re partnering with Reddit to bring its content to ChatGPT and new products: https://t.co/xHgBZ8ptOE — OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 16, 2024

OpenAI debuts GPT-4o “omni” model now powering ChatGPT

OpenAI’s spring update event saw the reveal of its new omni model, GPT-4o, which has a black hole-like interface , as well as voice and vision capabilities that feel eerily like something out of “Her.” GPT-4o is set to roll out “iteratively” across its developer and consumer-facing products over the next few weeks.

OpenAI demos real-time language translation with its latest GPT-4o model. pic.twitter.com/pXtHQ9mKGc — TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) May 13, 2024

OpenAI to build a tool that lets content creators opt out of AI training

The company announced it’s building a tool, Media Manager, that will allow creators to better control how their content is being used to train generative AI models — and give them an option to opt out. The goal is to have the new tool in place and ready to use by 2025.

OpenAI explores allowing AI porn

In a new peek behind the curtain of its AI’s secret instructions , OpenAI also released a new NSFW policy . Though it’s intended to start a conversation about how it might allow explicit images and text in its AI products, it raises questions about whether OpenAI — or any generative AI vendor — can be trusted to handle sensitive content ethically.

OpenAI and Stack Overflow announce partnership

In a new partnership, OpenAI will get access to developer platform Stack Overflow’s API and will get feedback from developers to improve the performance of their AI models. In return, OpenAI will include attributions to Stack Overflow in ChatGPT. However, the deal was not favorable to some Stack Overflow users — leading to some sabotaging their answer in protest .

U.S. newspapers file copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft

Alden Global Capital-owned newspapers, including the New York Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Denver Post, are suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. The lawsuit alleges that the companies stole millions of copyrighted articles “without permission and without payment” to bolster ChatGPT and Copilot.

OpenAI inks content licensing deal with Financial Times

OpenAI has partnered with another news publisher in Europe, London’s Financial Times , that the company will be paying for content access. “Through the partnership, ChatGPT users will be able to see select attributed summaries, quotes and rich links to FT journalism in response to relevant queries,” the FT wrote in a press release.

OpenAI opens Tokyo hub, adds GPT-4 model optimized for Japanese

OpenAI is opening a new office in Tokyo and has plans for a GPT-4 model optimized specifically for the Japanese language. The move underscores how OpenAI will likely need to localize its technology to different languages as it expands.

Sam Altman pitches ChatGPT Enterprise to Fortune 500 companies

According to Reuters, OpenAI’s Sam Altman hosted hundreds of executives from Fortune 500 companies across several cities in April, pitching versions of its AI services intended for corporate use.

OpenAI releases “more direct, less verbose” version of GPT-4 Turbo

Premium ChatGPT users — customers paying for ChatGPT Plus, Team or Enterprise — can now use an updated and enhanced version of GPT-4 Turbo . The new model brings with it improvements in writing, math, logical reasoning and coding, OpenAI claims, as well as a more up-to-date knowledge base.

Our new GPT-4 Turbo is now available to paid ChatGPT users. We’ve improved capabilities in writing, math, logical reasoning, and coding. Source: https://t.co/fjoXDCOnPr pic.twitter.com/I4fg4aDq1T — OpenAI (@OpenAI) April 12, 2024

ChatGPT no longer requires an account — but there’s a catch

You can now use ChatGPT without signing up for an account , but it won’t be quite the same experience. You won’t be able to save or share chats, use custom instructions, or other features associated with a persistent account. This version of ChatGPT will have “slightly more restrictive content policies,” according to OpenAI. When TechCrunch asked for more details, however, the response was unclear:

“The signed out experience will benefit from the existing safety mitigations that are already built into the model, such as refusing to generate harmful content. In addition to these existing mitigations, we are also implementing additional safeguards specifically designed to address other forms of content that may be inappropriate for a signed out experience,” a spokesperson said.

OpenAI’s chatbot store is filling up with spam

TechCrunch found that the OpenAI’s GPT Store is flooded with bizarre, potentially copyright-infringing GPTs . A cursory search pulls up GPTs that claim to generate art in the style of Disney and Marvel properties, but serve as little more than funnels to third-party paid services and advertise themselves as being able to bypass AI content detection tools.

The New York Times responds to OpenAI’s claims that it “hacked” ChatGPT for its copyright lawsuit

In a court filing opposing OpenAI’s motion to dismiss The New York Times’ lawsuit alleging copyright infringement, the newspaper asserted that “OpenAI’s attention-grabbing claim that The Times ‘hacked’ its products is as irrelevant as it is false.” The New York Times also claimed that some users of ChatGPT used the tool to bypass its paywalls.

OpenAI VP doesn’t say whether artists should be paid for training data

At a SXSW 2024 panel, Peter Deng, OpenAI’s VP of consumer product dodged a question on whether artists whose work was used to train generative AI models should be compensated . While OpenAI lets artists “opt out” of and remove their work from the datasets that the company uses to train its image-generating models, some artists have described the tool as onerous.

A new report estimates that ChatGPT uses more than half a million kilowatt-hours of electricity per day

ChatGPT’s environmental impact appears to be massive. According to a report from The New Yorker , ChatGPT uses an estimated 17,000 times the amount of electricity than the average U.S. household to respond to roughly 200 million requests each day.

ChatGPT can now read its answers aloud

OpenAI released a new Read Aloud feature for the web version of ChatGPT as well as the iOS and Android apps. The feature allows ChatGPT to read its responses to queries in one of five voice options and can speak 37 languages, according to the company. Read aloud is available on both GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 models.

ChatGPT can now read responses to you. On iOS or Android, tap and hold the message and then tap “Read Aloud”. We’ve also started rolling on web – click the "Read Aloud" button below the message. pic.twitter.com/KevIkgAFbG — OpenAI (@OpenAI) March 4, 2024

OpenAI partners with Dublin City Council to use GPT-4 for tourism

As part of a new partnership with OpenAI, the Dublin City Council will use GPT-4 to craft personalized itineraries for travelers, including recommendations of unique and cultural destinations, in an effort to support tourism across Europe.

A law firm used ChatGPT to justify a six-figure bill for legal services

New York-based law firm Cuddy Law was criticized by a judge for using ChatGPT to calculate their hourly billing rate . The firm submitted a $113,500 bill to the court, which was then halved by District Judge Paul Engelmayer, who called the figure “well above” reasonable demands.

ChatGPT experienced a bizarre bug for several hours

ChatGPT users found that ChatGPT was giving nonsensical answers for several hours , prompting OpenAI to investigate the issue. Incidents varied from repetitive phrases to confusing and incorrect answers to queries. The issue was resolved by OpenAI the following morning.

Match Group announced deal with OpenAI with a press release co-written by ChatGPT

The dating app giant home to Tinder, Match and OkCupid announced an enterprise agreement with OpenAI in an enthusiastic press release written with the help of ChatGPT . The AI tech will be used to help employees with work-related tasks and come as part of Match’s $20 million-plus bet on AI in 2024.

ChatGPT will now remember — and forget — things you tell it to

As part of a test, OpenAI began rolling out new “memory” controls for a small portion of ChatGPT free and paid users, with a broader rollout to follow. The controls let you tell ChatGPT explicitly to remember something, see what it remembers or turn off its memory altogether. Note that deleting a chat from chat history won’t erase ChatGPT’s or a custom GPT’s memories — you must delete the memory itself.

We’re testing ChatGPT's ability to remember things you discuss to make future chats more helpful. This feature is being rolled out to a small portion of Free and Plus users, and it's easy to turn on or off. https://t.co/1Tv355oa7V pic.twitter.com/BsFinBSTbs — OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 13, 2024

OpenAI begins rolling out “Temporary Chat” feature

Initially limited to a small subset of free and subscription users, Temporary Chat lets you have a dialogue with a blank slate. With Temporary Chat, ChatGPT won’t be aware of previous conversations or access memories but will follow custom instructions if they’re enabled.

But, OpenAI says it may keep a copy of Temporary Chat conversations for up to 30 days for “safety reasons.”

Use temporary chat for conversations in which you don’t want to use memory or appear in history. pic.twitter.com/H1U82zoXyC — OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 13, 2024

ChatGPT users can now invoke GPTs directly in chats

Paid users of ChatGPT can now bring GPTs into a conversation by typing “@” and selecting a GPT from the list. The chosen GPT will have an understanding of the full conversation, and different GPTs can be “tagged in” for different use cases and needs.

You can now bring GPTs into any conversation in ChatGPT – simply type @ and select the GPT. This allows you to add relevant GPTs with the full context of the conversation. pic.twitter.com/Pjn5uIy9NF — OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 30, 2024

ChatGPT is reportedly leaking usernames and passwords from users’ private conversations

Screenshots provided to Ars Technica found that ChatGPT is potentially leaking unpublished research papers, login credentials and private information from its users. An OpenAI representative told Ars Technica that the company was investigating the report.

ChatGPT is violating Europe’s privacy laws, Italian DPA tells OpenAI

OpenAI has been told it’s suspected of violating European Union privacy , following a multi-month investigation of ChatGPT by Italy’s data protection authority. Details of the draft findings haven’t been disclosed, but in a response, OpenAI said: “We want our AI to learn about the world, not about private individuals.”

OpenAI partners with Common Sense Media to collaborate on AI guidelines

In an effort to win the trust of parents and policymakers, OpenAI announced it’s partnering with Common Sense Media to collaborate on AI guidelines and education materials for parents, educators and young adults. The organization works to identify and minimize tech harms to young people and previously flagged ChatGPT as lacking in transparency and privacy .

OpenAI responds to Congressional Black Caucus about lack of diversity on its board

After a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus questioned the lack of diversity in OpenAI’s board, the company responded . The response, signed by CEO Sam Altman and Chairman of the Board Bret Taylor, said building a complete and diverse board was one of the company’s top priorities and that it was working with an executive search firm to assist it in finding talent. 

OpenAI drops prices and fixes ‘lazy’ GPT-4 that refused to work

In a blog post , OpenAI announced price drops for GPT-3.5’s API, with input prices dropping to 50% and output by 25%, to $0.0005 per thousand tokens in, and $0.0015 per thousand tokens out. GPT-4 Turbo also got a new preview model for API use, which includes an interesting fix that aims to reduce “laziness” that users have experienced.

Expanding the platform for @OpenAIDevs : new generation of embedding models, updated GPT-4 Turbo, and lower pricing on GPT-3.5 Turbo. https://t.co/7wzCLwB1ax — OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 25, 2024

OpenAI bans developer of a bot impersonating a presidential candidate

OpenAI has suspended AI startup Delphi, which developed a bot impersonating Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) to help bolster his presidential campaign. The ban comes just weeks after OpenAI published a plan to combat election misinformation, which listed “chatbots impersonating candidates” as against its policy.

OpenAI announces partnership with Arizona State University

Beginning in February, Arizona State University will have full access to ChatGPT’s Enterprise tier , which the university plans to use to build a personalized AI tutor, develop AI avatars, bolster their prompt engineering course and more. It marks OpenAI’s first partnership with a higher education institution.

Winner of a literary prize reveals around 5% her novel was written by ChatGPT

After receiving the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for her novel The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy, author Rie Kudan admitted that around 5% of the book quoted ChatGPT-generated sentences “verbatim.” Interestingly enough, the novel revolves around a futuristic world with a pervasive presence of AI.

Sam Altman teases video capabilities for ChatGPT and the release of GPT-5

In a conversation with Bill Gates on the Unconfuse Me podcast, Sam Altman confirmed an upcoming release of GPT-5 that will be “fully multimodal with speech, image, code, and video support.” Altman said users can expect to see GPT-5 drop sometime in 2024.

OpenAI announces team to build ‘crowdsourced’ governance ideas into its models

OpenAI is forming a Collective Alignment team of researchers and engineers to create a system for collecting and “encoding” public input on its models’ behaviors into OpenAI products and services. This comes as a part of OpenAI’s public program to award grants to fund experiments in setting up a “democratic process” for determining the rules AI systems follow.

OpenAI unveils plan to combat election misinformation

In a blog post, OpenAI announced users will not be allowed to build applications for political campaigning and lobbying until the company works out how effective their tools are for “personalized persuasion.”

Users will also be banned from creating chatbots that impersonate candidates or government institutions, and from using OpenAI tools to misrepresent the voting process or otherwise discourage voting.

The company is also testing out a tool that detects DALL-E generated images and will incorporate access to real-time news, with attribution, in ChatGPT.

Snapshot of how we’re preparing for 2024’s worldwide elections: • Working to prevent abuse, including misleading deepfakes • Providing transparency on AI-generated content • Improving access to authoritative voting information https://t.co/qsysYy5l0L — OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 15, 2024

OpenAI changes policy to allow military applications

In an unannounced update to its usage policy , OpenAI removed language previously prohibiting the use of its products for the purposes of “military and warfare.” In an additional statement, OpenAI confirmed that the language was changed in order to accommodate military customers and projects that do not violate their ban on efforts to use their tools to “harm people, develop weapons, for communications surveillance, or to injure others or destroy property.”

ChatGPT subscription aimed at small teams debuts

Aptly called ChatGPT Team , the new plan provides a dedicated workspace for teams of up to 149 people using ChatGPT as well as admin tools for team management. In addition to gaining access to GPT-4, GPT-4 with Vision and DALL-E3, ChatGPT Team lets teams build and share GPTs for their business needs.

OpenAI’s GPT store officially launches

After some back and forth over the last few months, OpenAI’s GPT Store is finally here . The feature lives in a new tab in the ChatGPT web client, and includes a range of GPTs developed both by OpenAI’s partners and the wider dev community.

To access the GPT Store, users must be subscribed to one of OpenAI’s premium ChatGPT plans — ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Enterprise or the newly launched ChatGPT Team.

the GPT store is live! https://t.co/AKg1mjlvo2 fun speculation last night about which GPTs will be doing the best by the end of today. — Sam Altman (@sama) January 10, 2024

Developing AI models would be “impossible” without copyrighted materials, OpenAI claims

Following a proposed ban on using news publications and books to train AI chatbots in the U.K., OpenAI submitted a plea to the House of Lords communications and digital committee. OpenAI argued that it would be “impossible” to train AI models without using copyrighted materials, and that they believe copyright law “does not forbid training.”

OpenAI claims The New York Times’ copyright lawsuit is without merit

OpenAI published a public response to The New York Times’s lawsuit against them and Microsoft for allegedly violating copyright law, claiming that the case is without merit.

In the response , OpenAI reiterates its view that training AI models using publicly available data from the web is fair use. It also makes the case that regurgitation is less likely to occur with training data from a single source and places the onus on users to “act responsibly.”

We build AI to empower people, including journalists. Our position on the @nytimes lawsuit: • Training is fair use, but we provide an opt-out • "Regurgitation" is a rare bug we're driving to zero • The New York Times is not telling the full story https://t.co/S6fSaDsfKb — OpenAI (@OpenAI) January 8, 2024

OpenAI’s app store for GPTs planned to launch next week

After being delayed in December , OpenAI plans to launch its GPT Store sometime in the coming week, according to an email viewed by TechCrunch. OpenAI says developers building GPTs will have to review the company’s updated usage policies and GPT brand guidelines to ensure their GPTs are compliant before they’re eligible for listing in the GPT Store. OpenAI’s update notably didn’t include any information on the expected monetization opportunities for developers listing their apps on the storefront.

GPT Store launching next week – OpenAI pic.twitter.com/I6mkZKtgZG — Manish Singh (@refsrc) January 4, 2024

OpenAI moves to shrink regulatory risk in EU around data privacy

In an email, OpenAI detailed an incoming update to its terms, including changing the OpenAI entity providing services to EEA and Swiss residents to OpenAI Ireland Limited. The move appears to be intended to shrink its regulatory risk in the European Union, where the company has been under scrutiny over ChatGPT’s impact on people’s privacy.

What is ChatGPT? How does it work?

ChatGPT is a general-purpose chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to generate text after a user enters a prompt, developed by tech startup OpenAI . The chatbot uses GPT-4, a large language model that uses deep learning to produce human-like text.

When did ChatGPT get released?

November 30, 2022 is when ChatGPT was released for public use.

What is the latest version of ChatGPT?

Both the free version of ChatGPT and the paid ChatGPT Plus are regularly updated with new GPT models. The most recent model is GPT-4o .

Can I use ChatGPT for free?

There is a free version of ChatGPT that only requires a sign-in in addition to the paid version, ChatGPT Plus .

Who uses ChatGPT?

Anyone can use ChatGPT! More and more tech companies and search engines are utilizing the chatbot to automate text or quickly answer user questions/concerns.

What companies use ChatGPT?

Multiple enterprises utilize ChatGPT, although others may limit the use of the AI-powered tool .

Most recently, Microsoft announced at it’s 2023 Build conference that it is integrating it ChatGPT-based Bing experience into Windows 11. A Brooklyn-based 3D display startup Looking Glass utilizes ChatGPT to produce holograms you can communicate with by using ChatGPT.  And nonprofit organization Solana officially integrated the chatbot into its network with a ChatGPT plug-in geared toward end users to help onboard into the web3 space.

What does GPT mean in ChatGPT?

GPT stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer.

What is the difference between ChatGPT and a chatbot?

A chatbot can be any software/system that holds dialogue with you/a person but doesn’t necessarily have to be AI-powered. For example, there are chatbots that are rules-based in the sense that they’ll give canned responses to questions.

ChatGPT is AI-powered and utilizes LLM technology to generate text after a prompt.

Can ChatGPT write essays?

Can chatgpt commit libel.

Due to the nature of how these models work , they don’t know or care whether something is true, only that it looks true. That’s a problem when you’re using it to do your homework, sure, but when it accuses you of a crime you didn’t commit, that may well at this point be libel.

We will see how handling troubling statements produced by ChatGPT will play out over the next few months as tech and legal experts attempt to tackle the fastest moving target in the industry.

Does ChatGPT have an app?

Yes, there is a free ChatGPT mobile app for iOS and Android users.

What is the ChatGPT character limit?

It’s not documented anywhere that ChatGPT has a character limit. However, users have noted that there are some character limitations after around 500 words.

Does ChatGPT have an API?

Yes, it was released March 1, 2023.

What are some sample everyday uses for ChatGPT?

Everyday examples include programing, scripts, email replies, listicles, blog ideas, summarization, etc.

What are some advanced uses for ChatGPT?

Advanced use examples include debugging code, programming languages, scientific concepts, complex problem solving, etc.

How good is ChatGPT at writing code?

It depends on the nature of the program. While ChatGPT can write workable Python code, it can’t necessarily program an entire app’s worth of code. That’s because ChatGPT lacks context awareness — in other words, the generated code isn’t always appropriate for the specific context in which it’s being used.

Can you save a ChatGPT chat?

Yes. OpenAI allows users to save chats in the ChatGPT interface, stored in the sidebar of the screen. There are no built-in sharing features yet.

Are there alternatives to ChatGPT?

Yes. There are multiple AI-powered chatbot competitors such as Together , Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude , and developers are creating open source alternatives .

How does ChatGPT handle data privacy?

OpenAI has said that individuals in “certain jurisdictions” (such as the EU) can object to the processing of their personal information by its AI models by filling out  this form . This includes the ability to make requests for deletion of AI-generated references about you. Although OpenAI notes it may not grant every request since it must balance privacy requests against freedom of expression “in accordance with applicable laws”.

The web form for making a deletion of data about you request is entitled “ OpenAI Personal Data Removal Request ”.

In its privacy policy, the ChatGPT maker makes a passing acknowledgement of the objection requirements attached to relying on “legitimate interest” (LI), pointing users towards more information about requesting an opt out — when it writes: “See here  for instructions on how you can opt out of our use of your information to train our models.”

What controversies have surrounded ChatGPT?

Recently, Discord announced that it had integrated OpenAI’s technology into its bot named Clyde where two users tricked Clyde into providing them with instructions for making the illegal drug methamphetamine (meth) and the incendiary mixture napalm.

An Australian mayor has publicly announced he may sue OpenAI for defamation due to ChatGPT’s false claims that he had served time in prison for bribery. This would be the first defamation lawsuit against the text-generating service.

CNET found itself in the midst of controversy after Futurism reported the publication was publishing articles under a mysterious byline completely generated by AI. The private equity company that owns CNET, Red Ventures, was accused of using ChatGPT for SEO farming, even if the information was incorrect.

Several major school systems and colleges, including New York City Public Schools , have banned ChatGPT from their networks and devices. They claim that the AI impedes the learning process by promoting plagiarism and misinformation, a claim that not every educator agrees with .

There have also been cases of ChatGPT accusing individuals of false crimes .

Where can I find examples of ChatGPT prompts?

Several marketplaces host and provide ChatGPT prompts, either for free or for a nominal fee. One is PromptBase . Another is ChatX . More launch every day.

Can ChatGPT be detected?

Poorly. Several tools claim to detect ChatGPT-generated text, but in our tests , they’re inconsistent at best.

Are ChatGPT chats public?

No. But OpenAI recently disclosed a bug, since fixed, that exposed the titles of some users’ conversations to other people on the service.

What lawsuits are there surrounding ChatGPT?

None specifically targeting ChatGPT. But OpenAI is involved in at least one lawsuit that has implications for AI systems trained on publicly available data, which would touch on ChatGPT.

Are there issues regarding plagiarism with ChatGPT?

Yes. Text-generating AI models like ChatGPT have a tendency to regurgitate content from their training data.

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What is ChatGPT? The world's most popular AI chatbot explained

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot with advanced natural language processing (NLP) that allows you to have human-like conversations to complete various tasks. The  generative AI  tool can answer questions and assist you with composing text, code, and much more.

Also :  How to use ChatGPT

It's currently  open to use for free . OpenAI launched a paid subscription version called ChatGPT Plus  in February 2023, which guarantees users access to the company's latest models, exclusive features, and updates.

What is ChatGPT used for?

ChatGPT offers many functions in addition to answering simple questions. ChatGPT can compose essays , have philosophical conversations, do math, and even code for you . 

The tasks ChatGPT can help with also don't have to be so ambitious. For example, my favorite use of ChatGPT is for help creating basic lists for chores, such as packing and grocery shopping, and to-do lists that make my daily life more productive. The possibilities are endless. 

ZDNET has published many ChatGPT how-to guides. Below are some of the most popular ones. 

Use ChatGPT to: 

• Write an essay
• Create an app
• Build your resume
• Write Excel formulas
• Summarize content
• Write a cover letter
• Start an Etsy business
• Create charts and tables
• Browse the web
• Create custom AI assistants
• Analyze PDFs
• Digitize handwritten notes
• Write Arduino drivers

Is ChatGPT available for free?

ChatGPT is free, regardless of what you use it for, including writing, coding, and much more. 

There is a subscription option , ChatGPT Plus, that costs $20 per month. The paid subscription model gives you extra perks, such as priority access to GPT-4o , DALL-E 3 , and the latest upgrades. 

Also: ChatGPT vs ChatGPT Plus: Is it worth the subscription fee?

Although the subscription price may seem steep, it is the same amount as Microsoft Copilot Pro and Google One AI Premium , which are Microsoft's and Google's paid AI offerings. 

How can you access ChatGPT?

On April 1, 2024, OpenAI stopped requiring you to log in to ChatGPT. Now, you can access ChatGPT simply by visiting  chat.openai.com . You can also access ChatGPT  via an app on your iPhone  or  Android  device.

Once you visit the site, you can start chatting away with ChatGPT. A great way to get started is by asking a question, similar to what you would do with Google. You can ask as many questions as you'd like.

Also: ChatGPT no longer requires a login, but you might want one anyway. Here's why

Creating an OpenAI account still offers some perks, such as saving and reviewing your chat history, accessing custom instructions, and, most importantly, getting free access to GPT-4o. Signing up is free and easy; you can use your existing Google login.

For step-by-step instructions, check out ZDNET's guide on  how to start using ChatGPT . 

Is there a ChatGPT app?

Yes, an official ChatGPT app is available for  iPhone and Android users. Make sure to download OpenAI's app, as many copycat fake apps are listed on Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store that are not affiliated with OpenAI.

Also: ChatGPT dropped a free app for iPhones. Does it live up to the hype?

There's also a ChatGPT app for  MacOS , which lets you access the chatbot quickly via a keyboard shortcut. The Mac app was initially only available for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, but OpenAI recently made it available to all users.

Is ChatGPT safe?

People have expressed concerns about AI chatbots replacing or atrophying human intelligence. 

For example, chatbots can write an entire essay in seconds, raising concerns about students cheating and not learning how to write properly. These fears even led  some school districts to block access  when ChatGPT initially launched.

Now, not only have many of those schools decided to unblock the technology, but some higher education institutions have been  catering their academic offerings  to AI-related coursework. 

Also:  Generative AI can be the academic assistant an underserved student needs

Another concern with AI chatbots is the possible spread of misinformation. ChatGPT says: "My responses are not intended to be taken as fact, and I always encourage people to verify any information they receive from me or any other source." OpenAI also notes that ChatGPT sometimes writes "plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical answers."

Lastly, there are ethical and privacy concerns regarding the information ChatGPT was trained on. OpenAI scraped the internet to train the chatbot without asking content owners for permission to use their content, which brings up many copyright and intellectual property concerns. 

Also: OpenAI and Anthropic to collaborate with US government on AI safety

There are also privacy concerns regarding generative AI companies using your data to fine-tune their models further, which has become a common practice. OpenAI lets you turn off training in ChatGPT's settings.

So, is ChatGPT safe? If your main concern is privacy, OpenAI has implemented several options to give users peace of mind that their data will not be used to train models. The company even allows you to turn off your chat history. If you are concerned about the moral and ethical problems, those are still being hotly debated.

Will my conversations with ChatGPT be used for training?

Companies train generative AI models on user inputs. Therefore, when familiarizing yourself with how to use ChatGPT, you might wonder if your specific conversations will be used for training and, if so, who can view your chats.

Also:  This ChatGPT update fixed one of my biggest productivity issues with the AI chatbot

OpenAI will, by default, use your conversations with the free chatbot to train data and refine its models. You can opt out of it using your data for model training by clicking on the question mark in the bottom left-hand corner, Settings, and turning off "Improve the model for everyone."

Can ChatGPT help me apply for jobs?

Yes, ChatGPT is a great resource for helping with job applications. Undertaking a job search can be tedious and difficult, and ChatGPT can help you lighten the load. ChatGPT can build your resume  and write a cover letter .

Also :  How to use ChatGPT to write an essay

If your application has any written supplements, you can use ChatGPT to help you write those essays or personal statements . You can also use ChatGPT to prep for your interviews by asking ChatGPT to provide you mock interview questions, background on the company, or questions that you can ask. 

Can you use ChatGPT for schoolwork?

ChatGPT can be an excellent resource in assisting students with their work. A popular misconception is that ChatGPT and other AI resources will do students' work for them. However, it can be used as a personal tutor or editor, giving students assistance outside of the classroom. 

Also: 5 free AI tools for school that students, teachers, and parents can use, too

For example, a student can drop their essay into ChatGPT and have it copyedit it, upload class handwritten notes and have them digitized, or even generate study outlines from class materials. 

What does ChatGPT stand for?

The last three letters in ChatGPT's namesake stand for Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), a family of large language models created by OpenAI that uses deep learning to generate human-like, conversational text. 

Also: What does GPT stand for? Understanding GPT 3.5, GPT 4, GPT-4 Turbo, and more

The "Chat" part of the name is simply a callout to its chatting capabilities. 

Can ChatGPT generate images?

Yes, ChatGPT can generate images using DALL-E 3. However, the limits vary depending on whether you are a ChatGPT Plus subscriber or a free user. ChatGPT Plus subscribers are allowed 50 generations per day, while free users are allotted two. 

Also: Free ChatGPT users can now create images with DALL-E 3, but there's a catch

Since OpenAI discontinued DALL-E 2 in February 2024, the only way to access its most advanced AI image generator, DALL-E 3, through OpenAI's offerings is via its chatbot.

Microsoft's Copilot offers free image generation, also powered by DALL-E 3, in its chatbot. This is a great alternative if you don't want to pay for ChatGPT Plus but want high-quality image outputs.

How does ChatGPT work?

ChatGPT runs on a large language model (LLM) architecture created by OpenAI called the  Generative Pre-trained Transformer  (GPT). Since its launch, the free version of ChatGPT ran on a fine-tuned model in the GPT-3.5 series until May 2024, when OpenAI upgraded the model to GPT-4o. Now, the free version runs on GPT-4o mini, with limited access to GPT-4o. 

Also:   How does ChatGPT actually work?  

With a subscription to ChatGPT Plus , you can access GPT-4, GPT-4o mini or  GPT-4o . Plus, users also have priority access to GPT-4o, even at capacity, while free users get booted down to GPT-4o mini. 

Generative AI models of this type are trained on vast amounts of information from the internet, including websites, books, news articles, and more.

Who owns ChatGPT currently?

OpenAI launched ChatGPT on November 30, 2022. OpenAI has also developed  DALL-E 2  and  DALL-E 3 , popular  AI image generators , and Whisper, an automatic speech recognition system. 

Also: OpenAI inks deal with ride-sharing operator to develop AI tools

As a result, OpenAI owns ChatGPT. Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI thanks to multiyear, multi-billion dollar  investments. Elon Musk was an investor when OpenAI was first founded in 2015 but has since completely severed ties with the startup and created his own AI chatbot, Grok .

Is ChatGPT better than a search engine?

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot created to converse with the end user. A search engine indexes web pages on the internet to help users find information. One is not better than the other, as each suit different purposes. 

When searching for as much up-to-date, accurate information as possible, your best bet is a search engine. It will provide you with pages upon pages of sources you can peruse. 

Also: The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and more

As of May 2024, the free version of ChatGPT can get responses from both the GPT-4o model and the web. It will only pull its answer from, and ultimately list, a handful of sources instead of showing nearly endless search results.

For example, I used GPT-4o to ask, "What is the weather today in San Francisco?" In its response, ChatGPT told me that it searched four sites and provided links to them. 

Also: How to get ChatGPT to browse the web for free

If you are looking for a platform that can explain complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner, then ChatGPT might be what you want. If you want the best of both worlds, plenty of AI search engines combine both.

What is SearchGPT?

SearchGPT is an experimental offering from OpenAI that functions as an AI-powered search engine that is aware of current events and uses real-time information from the Internet. The experience is a prototype, and OpenAI plans to integrate the best features directly into ChatGPT in the future.

Also: You wanted to try OpenAI's SearchGPT? It's time to look for AI alternatives

Upon launching the prototype, users were given a waitlist to sign up for. However, shortly after,  OpenAI closed its waitlist. 

What are ChatGPT's limitations?

Despite its impressive capabilities, ChatGPT still has limitations. Users sometimes need to reword questions multiple times for ChatGPT to understand their intent. A bigger limitation is a lack of quality in responses, which can sometimes be plausible-sounding but are verbose or make no practical sense.

Also: How AI hallucinations could help create life-saving antibiotics

Instead of asking for clarification on ambiguous questions, the model guesses what your question means, which can lead to poor responses. Generative AI models are also subject to hallucinations, which can result in inaccurate responses.

Does ChatGPT give wrong answers?

As mentioned above, ChatGPT, like all language models, has  limitations  and can give nonsensical answers and incorrect information, so it's important to double-check the answers it gives you.

Also: 8 ways to reduce ChatGPT hallucinations

OpenAI recommends you provide feedback on what ChatGPT generates by using the thumbs-up and thumbs-down buttons to improve its underlying model. You can also join the startup's Bug Bounty program , which offers up to $20,000 for reporting security bugs and safety issues.

Can ChatGPT refuse to answer my prompts?

AI systems like ChatGPT can and do reject  inappropriate requests . The AI assistant can identify inappropriate submissions to prevent unsafe content generation.

Also:  6 things ChatGPT can't do (and another 20 it refuses to do)

These submissions include questions that violate someone's rights, are offensive, are discriminatory, or involve illegal activities. The ChatGPT model can also challenge incorrect premises, answer follow-up questions, and even admit mistakes when you point them out.

These guardrails are important. AI models can generate advanced, realistic content that can be exploited by bad actors for harm, such as spreading misinformation about public figures and influencing elections .

Does ChatGPT plagiarize?

Yes, sort of. OpenAI scraped the internet to train ChatGPT's models. Therefore, the technology's knowledge is influenced by other people's work. Since there is no guarantee that ChatGPT's outputs are entirely original, the chatbot may regurgitate someone else's work in your answer, which is considered plagiarism. 

Also, technically speaking, if you, as a user, copy and paste ChatGPT's response, that is an act of plagiarism because you are claiming someone else's work as your own. This act could have repercussions. 

Is there a ChatGPT detector?

In short, the answer is no, not because people haven't tried, but because none do it efficiently. 

In January 2023, OpenAI released a free tool to detect AI-generated text. Unfortunately, OpenAI's classifier tool could only correctly identify 26% of AI-written text with a "likely AI-written" designation. Furthermore, it provided false positives 9% of the time, incorrectly identifying human-written work as AI-produced. 

Also: I tested 7 AI content detectors - they're getting dramatically better at identifying plagiarism

The tool performed so poorly  that, six months after its release, OpenAI shut it down "due to its low rate of accuracy." Despite the tool's failure, the startup claims to be researching more effective techniques for AI text identification.

Other AI detectors exist on the market, including GPT-2 Output Detector ,  Writer AI Content Detector , and Content at Scale's AI Content Detection  tool. ZDNET tested these tools, and the results were underwhelming: all three were unreliable sources for spotting AI, repeatedly giving false negatives. Here are  ZDNET's full test results .

What is GPT-4?

GPT-4 is OpenAI's language model, much more advanced than its predecessor, GPT-3.5. GPT-4 outperforms GPT-3.5 in a series of simulated benchmark exams and produces fewer hallucinations. 

What is GPT-4o?

GPT-4o is OpenAI's latest, fastest, and most advanced flagship model. As the name implies, GPT-4o has the same intelligence as GPT-4. However, the "o" in the title stands for "omni", referring to its multimodal capabilities, which allow the model to understand text, audio, image, and video inputs and output text, audio, and image outputs.

Also:  6 ways OpenAI just supercharged ChatGPT for free users

The model is 50% cheaper in OpenAI's API than GPT-4 Turbo while still matching its English and coding capabilities and outperforming it in non-English language, vision, and audio understanding -- a big win for developers.

What are the best ChatGPT alternatives?

Although ChatGPT gets the most buzz, other options are just as good—and might even be better suited to your needs.  ZDNET has created a list of the best chatbots , all of which we have tested to identify the best tool for your requirements.

Also: 4 things Claude AI can do that ChatGPT can't

Despite ChatGPT's extensive abilities, other chatbots have advantages that might be better suited for your use case, including  Copilot , Claude , Perplexity ,  Jasper , and more.

What are GPTs?

OpenAI once offered plugins for ChatGPT to connect to third-party applications and access real-time information on the web. The plugins expanded ChatGPT's abilities , allowing it to assist with many more activities, such as planning a trip or finding a place to eat. 

Also:  My two favorite ChatGPT Plus features and the remarkable things I can do with them

However, on March 19, 2024, OpenAI stopped letting users install new plugins or start new conversations with existing ones. Instead, OpenAI replaced plugins with GPTs , which are easier for developers to build. 

With the latest update, all users, including those on the free plan, can access the GPT Store and find 3 million customized ChatGPT chatbots. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of spam in the GPT store, so be careful which ones you use.

What is Microsoft's involvement with ChatGPT?

Microsoft was an early investor in OpenAI, the AI startup behind ChatGPT, long before ChatGPT was released to the public. Microsoft's first involvement with OpenAI was in 2019 when the company invested $1 billion. The company invested another $2 billion in the years after. In January 2023, Microsoft extended its partnership with OpenAI through a multiyear, multi-billion dollar investment .

Also: ChatGPT vs. Copilot: Which AI chatbot is better for you?

Neither company disclosed the investment value, but unnamed sources told Bloomberg that it could total $10 billion over multiple years. In return, OpenAI's exclusive cloud-computing provider is Microsoft Azure, powering all OpenAI workloads across research, products, and API services.

Microsoft has also used its OpenAI partnership to revamp its Bing search engine and improve its browser. On February 7, 2023, Microsoft unveiled a new Bing tool , now known as Copilot, that runs on OpenAI's GPT-4, customized specifically for search.

How does Copilot compare to ChatGPT?

Copilot uses OpenAI's GPT-4, which means that since its launch, it has been more efficient and capable than the standard, free version of ChatGPT, which was powered by GPT 3.5 at the time. At the time, Copilot boasted several other features over ChatGPT, such as access to the internet, knowledge of current information, and footnotes.

Also: I was a Copilot diehard until ChatGPT added these 5 features

In May 2024, however, OpenAI supercharged the free version of its chatbot with GPT-4o. The upgrade gave users GPT-4 level intelligence, the ability to get responses from the web, analyze data, chat about photos and documents, use GPTs, and access the GPT Store and Voice Mode. After the upgrade, ChatGPT reclaimed its crown as the best AI chatbot.

What is Gemini and how does it relate to ChatGPT?

Gemini is Google's AI chat service, a rival to ChatGPT. On February 6, 2023, Google introduced its experimental AI chat service, which was then called Google Bard. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which is the best AI chatbot?

Over a month after the announcement, Google began rolling out  access to Bard first via a waitlist . Now, the tool is available to the public. The biggest perk of Gemini is that it has Google Search at its core and has the same feel as Google products. Therefore, if you are an avid Google user, Gemini might be the best AI chatbot for you. 

What is Apple's involvement with OpenAI?

At Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference  in June 2024, the company announced a partnership with OpenAI that will integrate ChatGPT with Siri. With the user's permission, Siri can request ChatGPT for help if Siri deems a task is better suited for ChatGPT.

Artificial Intelligence

Ai startup cerebras debuts 'world's fastest inference' service - with a twist, 1 in 3 workers are using ai multiple times a week - and they're shouting about it, the most popular programming languages in 2024 (and what that even means).

— Investigation —

University of maryland president plagiarized from chatgpt to justify anti-israel oct. 7 rally.

Darryll Pines passed the AI-generated text off as "Faculty Scholarship"

University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines defended his decision to allow anti-Israel protesters to rally on the anniversary of October 7 with what he said was original “faculty research” that proves that the Palestinian flag does not support terrorism. But the “research” was actually copied from ChatGPT, The Daily Wire found.

Pines passed off the text in an effort to justify his decision to allow the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to reserve a main campus quad on the  anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel to “honor” the “martyrs.” Pines sent the text in response to an email from a Maryland resident who inquired if Pines, who is black, would be as supportive of groups flying the Confederate Flag on campus as he is of flying the Palestine flag.

“I have consulted with Middle East Scholars and Historians on our campus regarding the origin and history of the Palestinian Flag. The general consensus opinion from these faculty scholars is as follows,” Pines wrote.

The four paragraphs that followed — punctuated by a curt “I will not be responding to any further inquiries on this matter” — did not come from faculty scholars, but rather directly from the artificial intelligence service ChatGPT, after being modified to be more pro-Palestinian.

Pines wrote in his first paragraph that “The Palestinian flag is not generally considered a symbol of hate but rather a symbol of national identity, aspiration, and the struggle for statehood and self-determination,” though it “can be viewed differently depending on one’s perspective.”

When The Daily Wire asked ChatGPT “Is the Palestinian flag a symbol of hate?” the first paragraph of its response said that “its interpretation can vary widely depending on one’s perspective. For many Palestinians and their supporters, the flag is a symbol of identity, resistance, and the aspiration for statehood and self-determination.”

Pines wrote, and underlined, that “For Palestinians, the flag is a powerful symbol of their quest for self-determination, statehood, and the right to return.”

When ChatGPT was asked “Is the Palestinian flag a symbol of hate or national identity,” it said “For Palestinians, the flag is a powerful symbol of their national identity and cultural heritage. It represents their history, aspirations, and desire for self-determination and statehood.”

ChatGPT does not answer questions the same way each time, but reuses certain phrases. Almost all of the exact phrases in Pines’ email appeared in various orders and permutations when The Daily Wire asked similar questions, or the same question multiple times. The overall structure and tone of the answer is also unmistakably artificial intelligence. That makes it very likely that the text came from ChatGPT, and likely that the AI answer generated at the University of Maryland hewed even more closely to Pines’ email than The Daily Wire’s attempts to replicate it.

His response contained a sentence about how the flag “was formally adopted by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964” (the PLO is a US-designated terror-supporting organization) and has “horizontal black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle on the left.”

ChatGPT says the flag “was adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964” and has “horizontal black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle on the hoist side.”

Pines’s original writing and alterations stand out because they are often grammatically incorrect or poorly written. In addition to the unusual capitalization of “Middle East Scholars and Historians on our campus,” Pines added transitional words like “thus,” which appear out of place.

ChatGPT concludes: “In summary, while the Palestinian flag can be seen as a symbol of resistance and national identity for Palestinians, its interpretation can be influenced by various political and ideological perspectives. It’s important to approach such symbols with an understanding of the broader historical and political contexts in which they are used.”

“Thus, the Palestinian flag is primarily a symbol of Palestinian national identity, statehood, and the struggle for self-determination,” Pines’s message ends. “It is not inherently a symbol of hate but is deeply connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and thus its meaning can be interpreted differently depending on one’s political stance. While it may be perceived negatively in certain contexts, especially in Israel, it is recognized globally as the flag of a people seeking statehood and international recognition.”

Pines said that he had personally “consulted” with multiple scholars, implying that he synthesized the “consensus opinion from these faculty scholars.” It is possible that a University of Maryland “Middle East Scholar” used ChatGPT to gather information that was supposedly in his area of expertise, and sent it to Pines representing it as his own work, with Pines then in turn positioning it as his own. Pines did not respond to questions from The Daily Wire.

Pines’s sympathies with pro-Palestinian elements on campus came to the fore after he responded to the Hamas terror attack and pro-Palestine uprisings on college campuses by forming a “MD Joint Presidential-University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia,” co-chaired by the anti-Israel Muslim professor Shibley Telhami.

There is evidence that Pines is close with, and working closely with, Telhami, including his personal response to the mother of a university student who objected to the anti-Israel views held by task force members.

“It’s LUDICROUS that someone who holds hateful views towards Israel (only democracy in the Middle East) and Jews is Chair of a Task Force on antisemitism,” the parent wrote to task force members. “Would you have a KKK Member on this Taskforce?”

Pines threatened to call the police on her for making “inappropriate” remarks. He added, “Members of our leadership team, and members of the Task Force care deeply about the safety and well being of every member of our campus community. Thus, the Task Force’s ongoing work is very important, and all of its members are deserving of our utmost respect and support.”

The mother had not included Pines on her emails, leading her to believe that Telhami enlisted him to respond.

Pines sent the ChatGPT information falsely attributed to “faculty scholarship” in an August 28 email to another Jewish resident who pressed him on the SJP rallies. His email also echoed SJP’s false claim that Israel has killed 150,000 people, and claimed SJP does not support terrorism.

SJP said on Instagram that it “unequivocally stands by international law as it outlaws the indiscriminate killing of civilians and establishes the right of Palestinians to carry out armed struggle, ” and that it “ unequivocally states that the Zionist state of Israel has no right to exist .” 

After The Daily Wire reported on the rally, and Pines’s refusal to cancel it despite the pleading of a campus rabbi, the University System of Maryland, which oversees all state public universities, intervened to ban all campus groups from hosting events on October 7. Pines then issued his own statement on the shutdown, implying that the university was cancelling the rally to protect pro-Palestinian protesters, even though he acknowledged that the police told him there was no evidence of threats to protesters.

Several university presidents have stepped down after enabling anti-Zionism on campus, which often fit with a broader leftist agenda against “colonialism.” One of those presidents, Harvard’s Claudine Gay, also resigned after journalists discovered she had plagiarized much of her academic writing.

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The Guide To Discharge Summary Writing with ChatGPT

Table of contents

In today's digital age, technology has made significant advancements in healthcare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of medicine, revolutionising the way healthcare professionals operate. One particular application of AI in healthcare is the use of AI chatbots like ChatGPT to assist in writing discharge summaries. By leveraging chatGPT, healthcare professionals can save time and effort when it comes to creating comprehensive and accurate discharge summaries. These summaries are crucial in ensuring smooth transitions of care and effective communication between healthcare providers.

What are prompts?

The prompt is a crucial component when using ChatGPT for writing discharge summaries. It acts as an instruction or starting point for the model to generate the desired text. By providing a well-structured prompt, you can guide ChatGPT to generate relevant and coherent discharge summaries.

When using ChatGPT, you can start your prompt with essential information such as the patient's name, age, diagnosis, and relevant medical history. It is also helpful to include specific instructions on the key components to be included in the discharge summary, such as the patient's condition at discharge, recommended follow-up care, and any other pertinent information.

For example, a prompt for a discharge summary could be:

"Patient Name: John DoeAge: 45Diagnosis: Acute Myocardial InfarctionMedical History: Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia

Please generate a comprehensive discharge summary for Mr. John Doe following his hospitalisation for Acute Myocardial Infarction. Include details about his condition at discharge, recommended medications, lifestyle modifications, and any necessary follow-up care."

By providing a clear and structured prompt, you can ensure that ChatGPT generates a discharge summary that meets your specific requirements.

Some thoughts on privacy

As with any technology that involves the use of personal and sensitive information, privacy is a valid concern when using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for writing discharge summaries. It is essential to be mindful of privacy regulations and ensure that patient data is protected.

When using ChatGPT, it is advisable to anonymise patient information in the prompt. Avoid including any personally identifiable information (PII) such as patient names, addresses, or social security numbers. Instead, use generic terms like "Patient A" or "Male patient in his 40s" to maintain anonymity.

Furthermore, it is crucial to use secure and encrypted platforms when interacting with AI chatbots. Ensure that the platform you are using complies with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.

By following these privacy considerations, you can use ChatGPT confidently while safeguarding patient confidentiality and privacy.

Do I need to edit?

While ChatGPT is an impressive tool that can generate coherent and accurate text, it is still an AI model, and like any AI, it has its limitations. It is advisable to review and edit the discharge summary generated by ChatGPT before finalising it.

When editing, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of the text. Ensure that the discharge summary accurately reflects the patient's condition, treatment plan, and any recommendations for follow-up care. Check for any grammatical errors, inconsistencies, or missing information that may need to be added.

Additionally, it is essential to use your clinical judgment when reviewing the discharge summary. As a healthcare professional, you possess valuable expertise and firsthand knowledge of the patient's condition. Incorporate your clinical insights into the discharge summary to ensure its accuracy and completeness.

By reviewing and editing the discharge summary, you can enhance the quality and precision of the generated text, making it more suitable for the specific needs of your patient.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful AI tool that can significantly streamline the process of writing discharge summaries. By leveraging its capabilities, healthcare professionals can save time and effort while ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation.

When using ChatGPT, remember the importance of a well-structured prompt to guide the generation of discharge summaries. Consider privacy regulations and anonymise patient information to protect confidentiality. Finally, review and edit the generated discharge summary to ensure accuracy and incorporate your clinical expertise.

By combining the power of AI with your clinical skills, you can enhance the quality of discharge summaries and improve patient care. Embrace the potential of ChatGPT and experience the benefits it brings to your medical practice.

Keep reading

What is an AI Medical Scribe?

10 Tips For Writing Better Prompts in your AI Scribe

Top 4 Best AI Medical Scribes

A Guide To Running Your Medical Practice Efficiently

ChatGPT's Impact on Mental Health

Harnessing the Potential of ChatGPT: The Key to Elevating Your Vitamin D Levels

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