Educators Grapple with AI Usage in Classrooms: Is It Cheating or Learning?

Sat Sep 13 2025 11:59:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into education, teachers and students alike are facing challenges in defining academic integrity in the age of artificial intelligence. The influx of AI-powered tools is changing traditional teaching methods and assessment strategies.

With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, educators are reassessing traditional writing assignments, which many now consider prone to 'cheating.' Teachers are adapting by implementing in-class writing, verbal assessments, and exploring the role of AI as a learning aid. However, students are uncertain about the boundaries of AI use, leading to confusion over what constitutes cheating in academic settings. Schools are gradually introducing clearer guidelines as they navigate this landscape.

The book report is now a relic; take-home tests and essays are fading away. The rise of artificial intelligence in education has led teachers to question the integrity of assigning writing tasks outside of school. With AI chatbots like ChatGPT, many educators feel that any writing assigned for homework is likely to be outsourced to these tools.

“The cheating is rampant. It’s the worst I’ve seen in my career,” notes Casey Cuny, an English teacher for 23 years. He emphasizes that educators must now consider any homework as potentially completed with AI assistance. The challenge remains how schools can evolve, especially as traditional teaching and assessment methods seem to lose their efficacy in light of advancing AI capabilities.

“What constitutes cheating?” Cuny asks, highlighting the blurred lines that today’s technology has introduced. As he adapts his classroom strategies, he now monitors student laptop screens during class and has shifted most writing tasks to in-class environments. He aims to teach students how to utilize AI responsibly, turning it into a learning tool rather than a means to bypass effort.

Teachers like Kelly Gibson in Oregon find similar needs to reformulate their approaches, incorporating verbal assessments alongside writing. “I can't assign a five-paragraph essay two weeks out anymore,” she states. “That's like inviting them to cheat.”

AI's Role in Academic Integrity

Assignments that once required in-depth thought, like analyzing "The Great Gatsby,” are now often tackled first by seeking assistance from ChatGPT, which can provide thematic ideas and structural aids in minutes. Students express mixed feelings, with some unsure if they are crossing ethical boundaries while using AI for research or organization.

College students voice similar dilemmas. Psychology sophomore Lily Brown, for instance, utilizes ChatGPT to outline her essays, sharing her internal conflict over whether this constitutes cheating. School policies regarding AI use vary widely, creating confusion about what is permissible in different classrooms and around different educators.

In response to soaring academic dishonesty linked to AI, schools are increasingly developing clearer policies. Institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, have urged faculty to include specific AI usage guidelines in their syllabi to clarify expectations. These efforts indicate a growing recognition of the necessity to integrate AI literacy into education while safeguarding academic integrity.

As schools continue to evaluate their policies, the transformation brought on by AI may require new assessment strategies, moving away from traditional homework towards in-class evaluations. Teachers suggest that it is crucial to provide guidelines that recognize the capabilities of AI while fostering responsible use among students.