Dartmouth College Faces AI Writing Controversy Amid Academic Integrity Review

<p>Dartmouth College, where the term "artificial intelligence" was first coined, is currently addressing an academic-integrity issue as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of the field. Last month, Dartmouth's president, Sian Leah Beilock, published an essay in <i>The Atlantic</i> titled "Why I Want More AI at Dartmouth." Following this, Beilock initiated a review regarding whether her deputy, Provost Santiago Schnell, excessively utilized AI in his writing.</p><p></p><p>On September 21, <i>The Dartmouth</i> reported that Schnell appeared to have relied heavily on AI for all nine articles he published this year, including a <i>Washington Post</i> op-ed discussing students outsourcing their writing to AI. Schnell acknowledged in an email that he uses AI chatbots as "assistive tools" but minimized their influence on his writing process. However, an AI-detection service indicated that his email was "100% AI-written." A spokesperson for Dartmouth stated that neither Beilock nor Schnell would comment further.</p><p></p><p>Schnell's situation reflects a broader trend where individuals responsible for discussing AI's appropriate use are found to be using AI themselves. This includes a professor in Australia whose op-ed on the importance of original student writing was partially AI-generated, and a nonprofit executive whose book on AI included fabricated quotes. Additionally, a Stanford misinformation expert faced criticism for including AI-generated citations in his legal testimony.</p><p></p><p>Some individuals openly embrace AI, such as a financier who acknowledged AI's role in his <i>Wall Street Journal</i> op-ed after it was discovered. However, the use of AI by those cautioning against it raises questions about their credibility. Steven Rosenbaum, author of <i>The Future of Truth: How AI Reshapes Reality</i>, spoke on the record about his experiences with AI, stating he feels "betrayed" by the technology after his book was found to contain AI-generated misquotes. He plans to publish a revised edition correcting these errors and acknowledges the seductive nature of AI.</p><p></p><p>Rosenbaum describes his writing process with AI as complex, where the contributions of both human and machine become intertwined. He intends to continue using AI as a writing partner but with increased caution, emphasizing the importance of verifying claims and citations. Despite the controversies, many individuals caught using AI have not abandoned the technology.</p><p></p><p>In a similar case, Cath Ellis, a professor at Western Sydney University, wrote an op-ed urging students to avoid using AI, only to later reveal that her piece was also AI-assisted. Ellis defended her actions, stating that she used AI to draft the op-ed but maintained that the ideas were her own. This distinction raises questions about the integrity of those warning against AI use.</p><p></p><p>Critics argue that writing is a form of thinking, yet those using AI often do not apply this principle to themselves. The phenomenon of individuals warning about AI while relying on it suggests a disconnect between their public stance and personal practices. Experts like Rosenbaum and others have acknowledged their missteps, highlighting the challenges of navigating AI's capabilities and limitations.</p><p></p><p>As the conversation around AI continues, the distinction between AI-generated and human-written content remains a topic of debate. The complexities of AI use in writing require careful consideration, as individuals grapple with the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining authenticity in their work.</p>