University "AI War": Professors vs Students, Who Has the Final Say?

Washington — American universities are experiencing an AI "civil war."

On one side: students using AI to write papers, do homework, write programs. On the other side: professors using AI to detect AI-generated content, even using AI to grade papers.

This "war" has no winners, only adaptation.

Students' "AI Secret"

"I now use AI to write papers," a college student told me. "Better than what I write myself, faster too."

This isn't just his choice. Survey shows over 70% of college students admit using AI to complete assignments.

"Students not using AI become 'outliers,'" he said. "Teachers also look the other way."

But some students worry: "I'm afraid I won't learn to think for myself anymore."

Professors' "AI Anxiety"

Professors are also anxious.

"I can tell at a glance which were written by AI," a literature professor said. "But I have no evidence."

To "catch" AI students, professors started using AI to detect AI.

"We use detection tools to identify AI-generated content," an academic administrator said. "But the魔高一丈 (evil rises a foot as virtue rises an inch) — detection tools always lag."

More tricky: some students use AI to "assist" rather than "replace" — how to define?

Universities' "AI Policies"

Different universities have different policies.

MIT: Allow AI, redesign courses

Harvard: Partial ban, strict review

Stanford: Let students set their own rules

MIT: Allow AI, redesign courses

Harvard: Partial ban, strict review

Stanford: Let students set their own rules

"No unified standard," an education expert said. "Each university is feeling their way."

Enemy or Friend?

Is AI enemy or friend?

"This question has no answer," a professor said. "Like asking 'is the internet enemy or friend.'"

The key is: how to use AI well, instead of being used by AI.

"I let students use AI," a professor said. "But they must state what AI used, how used."

This both utilizes AI to improve efficiency while maintaining academic integrity.

China's Reference

Chinese universities are also experiencing similar issues.

"We're also discussing AI's impact on teaching," a Chinese university teacher said. "But much more low-key than US."

The difference: "China emphasizes 'unified management,' US emphasizes 'student self-governance.'"

Epilogue

At an education forum, I met an education scholar. He told me AI's impact on education is just beginning.

"Like when computers entered classrooms," he said. "Initially everyone was scared, later everyone got used to it."

Perhaps AI will follow the same path — from fear to adaptation, from confrontation to integration.

Reference: NPR, FSU News, The New Indian Express