EDU-528 Ethical Dilemma and Response
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Jan 9, 2024
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Artificial Intelligence: Is it an Ethical Dilemma?
Erin L. Krueger
College of Education, Grand Canyon University
EDU-528: Laws and Ethics in Student Affairs
Jeremi Smith
November 29, 2023
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Artificial Intelligence: Is it an Ethical Dilemma?
Within a student affairs department, there are ethical dilemmas that occur on a regular
basis. One ethical dilemma that is being debated in the current education realm is the use of
artificial intelligence, or AI, and how that pertains to academic dishonesty. Since the COVID-19
pandemic, online learning and the use of technology has become more prevalent within our
society. When face-to-face classes were not offered and students were doing their assignments
from the comfort of their home, this led students to use online resources, such as AI, to assist
them in doing their work and assignments. Because of this, the use of AI is a current ethical
dilemma that higher education institutes are facing. Artificial intelligence can sometimes be
inaccurate information, use fake sources, or alter students’ knowledge on a subject (Chami,
2023). By students using AI, it can lead to academic dishonesty, affecting the students’ academic
experience.
Although artificial intelligence can be used as a positive resource and tool within higher
education, I still find that it can cause more harm than good for students. Students are faced with
the ethical choice of whether or not to use artificial intelligence for various assignments, essays,
or projects at undergraduate and/or graduate levels. When not used properly, AI can cause
students to participate in academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism, cheating, academic
misconduct, or fabrication (The Law Office of James E. Crawford, Jr. & Associates, LLC, 2022).
Most commonly, these types of acts are punishable by the given university, as they have their
own policies regarding academic dishonesty within their student code of conduct. For example,
the student might have to redo the assignment, be given zero credit for the assignment, or even
fail a course. If pursued further, students may even be suspended or expelled from their
university, depending on the severity of the situation. In some cases, if a student does engage in
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academic misconduct while using AI at a college, the school may pursue criminal charges as
well. Similar to identity theft, using artificial intelligence generated work as their own work
could be considered fraud and can be charged as such (The Law Office of James E. Crawford, Jr.
& Associates, LLC, 2022). Although it is rare, legal consequences may occur if students
inappropriately use artificial intelligence for their academic assignments.
As a student affairs professional, it is my job to ensure that students are making the
correct, ethical choice in these situations. According to research, the reasons why students are
more likely to use AI within their academics include their personality, critical thinking skills, and
knowledge regarding artificial intelligence (Ihekweazu et al., 2023). Within my department of
student affairs, I can provide resources for students pertaining to AI and appropriate use of AI. It
is important for students to know what artificial intelligence is and how it can both enhance and
hinder their academics. Student affairs professionals can help students with their decision-
making concerning whether they should use AI. In my role as a student affairs professional,
I could also model proper use of artificial intelligence tools properly, and in an ethical manner. If
I am able to show how AI can be used to amplify their academics rather than negatively impact
them, students will then have a sounder moral conscience on whether they should or shouldn’t
use artificially generated work.
If faced with the situation in which a student used artificial intelligence and was caught
with academic dishonesty, there are some steps that I would need to take as a student affairs
professional. First, I would need to report the situation to the proper people, such as the Dean of
Students or the professor of the specific course. This will help follow through on the various
policies and regulations that the higher education institute have set in their code of conduct or
handbook. Depending on whether or not bribery, fraud, or fabrication occurred in the incident, I
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also may need to report the incident to proper authorities in case legal consequences arose (The
Law Office of James E. Crawford, Jr. & Associates, LLC, 2022). By reporting to the chain of
command, this protects me professionally and maintains my moral compass. Ethically, I need to
make sure proper steps are taken and appropriate actions are followed through when handling
academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty has been, and always will be, an ethical dilemma and discussion for
years to come at higher education universities (Chami, 2023). With the generative artificial
intelligence becoming more popular in recent years, it only is adding to the dilemma as a whole.
In my personal opinion, until appropriate and safe AI use is taught, it should be used sparingly, if
not at all. With limited use of artificial intelligence, there is less chance that a student plagiarizes,
cheats, or uses false information to complete academic tasks. When faced with an ethical
dilemma, such as the use of artificial intelligence in academics, students will need to make the
decision on when and how to use it appropriately. As a student affairs professional, it is my
responsibility to uphold the policies and code of conduct of my university, along with providing
my students an opportunity to have a quality educational journey.
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References
Chami, G. (2023, October 23).
Artificial intelligence and academic integrity: striking a balance
.
THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/artificial-intelligence-and-academic-
integrity-striking-balance
Ihekweazu, C., Zhou, B., & Adelowo, E. A. (2023). The Use of Artificial Intelligence in
Academic Dishonesty: Ethical Considerations. In
Proceedings of the ISCAP Conference ISSN
(Vol. 2473, p. 4901).
The Law Office of James E. Crawford, Jr. & Associates, LLC. (2022, April 6). Academic
Dishonesty – 12 Types, Punishments, and Advice to Defend Accusations.
Firm News
.
https://www.jamescrawfordlaw.com/blog/2022/04/academic-dishonesty-12-types-
punishments-and-advice-to-defend-accusations/
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