Contrary to initial concerns, a recent study conducted by Stanford reveals that the introduction of ChatGPT has not resulted in a significant increase in cheating rates among high school students. The study, which involved an anonymous survey across 40 US high schools, found that cheating rates have remained statistically unchanged or even slightly decreased.

Approximately 60% to 70% of students were reported to engage in cheating behavior, a percentage consistent with previous years. Victor Lee, Stanford’s faculty lead for AI and education, highlighted that while there are isolated cases of AI being used for cheating, the overall impact on high schoolers appears to be minimal.

The study also indicated that only 19% of teens aged 13 to 17 have used ChatGPT for schoolwork, suggesting relatively low adoption among this demographic. Students expressed diverse opinions on ChatGPT’s use, with many supporting its allowance in generating concepts or ideas for assignments but objecting to its use in writing papers.

Reasons cited for student cheating included difficulty grasping subject material, time constraints, and performance pressure. The study encourages educators to involve student voices in discussions about AI, recognizing their insights and perspectives on the evolving role of AI in education.

Researchers acknowledged that attitudes toward AI and its use in education may shift over time based on how schools approach AI as both a topic and a tool. The study also highlighted the evolving landscape, with some schools actively encouraging and teaching students how to effectively use AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance learning experiences.