Scottish university students caught using AI to cheat over 1,000 times in the past year

Scottish university students have been caught using AI tools such as ChatGPT to cheat on coursework and assessments more than 1,000 times in the past academic year – a dramatic increase from the 131 cases recorded in 2022-2023.

The staggering rise in academic misconduct has been described as “the tip of the iceberg,” sparking concerns over the role of AI in higher education and the challenge of maintaining academic integrity.

A growing problem across Scottish universities

Abertay University in Dundee reported the highest number of AI-related breaches, with 342 cases upheld last year, according to data obtained by The Scotsman. Stirling University recorded 200 incidents, while Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen dealt with 116 breaches. The University of Edinburgh reprimanded 78 students, while Glasgow Caledonian and the University of Glasgow recorded 113 and 86 cases respectively.

The increasing use of AI in academic work has raised alarms within the education sector, with some calling for urgent measures to address the issue.

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs warned: “These figures show AI is tearing through universities and causing a significant headache for lecturers. The fact that more than 1,000 cases have been investigated and proven in the space of a year is hugely worrying and likely only the tip of the iceberg.”

He added: “AI is obviously here to stay and we have to live with it, but universities need support in tackling what is effectively cheating. If Scottish universities are seen as vulnerable to students using AI to replace thinking or hard work of their own, it will be hugely damaging for the sector’s reputation internationally.”

Student perspective: AI as a ‘double-edged sword’

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While universities are cracking down on AI misuse, some students argue that the technology is an inevitable part of modern education and should be integrated rather than banned.

A University of Glasgow student, who wished to remain anonymous, said to The Glasgow Tab: “AI is a double-edged sword. It can be an amazing tool for research and idea generation, but there’s a fine line between using it to help and using it to cheat. The problem is that some people don’t know where that line is.”

Universities respond to AI challenges

A Universities Scotland spokesperson acknowledged the challenges AI presents but also recognised its potential benefits.

“Universities will always take cases of academic misconduct seriously in line with their own codes of practice, and this includes students who utilise AI inappropriately to complete their assignments.”

They added: “The use of AI offers both risks and opportunities to universities, and institutions should embrace change as students begin to reach for AI, while recognising it can be prone to errors, should only be used appropriately, and should not be solely relied on for information.”

As universities grapple with the growing influence of AI, the debate continues over how best to incorporate the technology into education while maintaining academic integrity. With cases of AI misuse on the rise, institutions face mounting pressure to adapt their policies and teaching methods to address this evolving challenge.

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