A student at a US university has demanded a refund of her tuition fee upon discovering that her professor was covertly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create lecture notes.
Ella Stapleton, a recent graduate of Northeastern University, raised concerns after noticing unusual elements in her business professor’s lectures, as reported by The New York Times.
According to Stapleton, she identified signs of AI-generated content, such as references to ‘ChatGPT’ in the bibliography, consistent typos, and images depicting figures with extra limbs. She immediately alerted a classmate via text message, who shared her shock upon learning of the AI’s involvement.
In her complaint filed with the university’s business school, Stapleton expressed disappointment over not receiving a top-tier education despite the high cost and reputation of the institution. Her demand for a tuition refund totaled over Rs 6.8 lakh (\$8,000).
“He instructs us not to use it, yet he employs it himself,” Stapleton remarked.
Despite her efforts, Northeastern University rejected Stapleton’s claim after a series of meetings. The professor in question, Rick Arrowood, admitted to using AI tools like ChatGPT, the Perplexity AI search engine, and the Gamma AI presentation generator for crafting his lectures.
Reflecting on the situation, Professor Arrowood acknowledged his oversight, stating, “In hindsight… I wish I had scrutinised it more closely. If others can learn from my experience, then that’s something positive.”
Northeastern University’s AI policy mandates that any use of AI by faculty or students must include proper attribution, especially in scholarly works or submissions.
Since its debut in 2022, ChatGPT has significantly influenced AI culture worldwide. Initially embraced by students, its use has since been restricted or prohibited in many educational institutions.
