A new study published in PLOS One, conducted by a team of researchers at the College of Reading, raises the possibility that many students may be using artificial intelligence in some way to conduct their exams, as most would go unnoticed.
The college researchers secretly introduced AI-generated exams as well as authentic exams taken by psychology students and had them marked by some examiners.
The results of the study were devastating: 94% of the AI-generated exams were not recognized by the examiners.
Worse still, the answers provided by the artificial intelligence were not only not recognized by the human examiners, but also received a higher score than the students' answers.
The difference was so striking that several exams generated by the AI were awarded very high marks and distinction.
What can be 'learned'
Several conclusions can be drawn from this study. The first is that the fact that there are only humans marking the exams may no longer be effective and that technological aids are also needed, suggesting mixed use.
In addition, it has been shown that many educational institutions do not use traditional examination procedures and have their students write assessments. However, assessments can easily be written using AI tools, although no institution is prepared to recognize AI in these assessments.
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An associate professor at the School of Psychology at Reading has pointed out that educational institutions should not return to handwritten exams, but should work to evolve with AI.
Furthermore, the researchers say that this study should be seen as a call to action, because if students are using AI tools in their education, how can they work at a reputable institute without having knowledge of the subject they have studied?
Educators and administrators should give this some serious thought, because things are not looking good for the educational establishment at the moment.
