Students across UK universities have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, to cheat in their coursework, according to a June 15 report by The Guardian.
The report revealed that nearly 7,000 confirmed cases of AI-related cheating were reported during the 2023-2024 academic year. This translates to around 5.1 cases per 1,000 students, up from 1.6 the previous year.
Data from May 2025 indicated the rate may rise to roughly 7.5 cases per 1,000 students. However, experts warned that official figures likely understate the problem.
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In the past, most academic dishonesty involved copying text from books, websites, or other students. Between 2019 and 2020, plagiarism made up the majority of all reported misconduct. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, online exams and essays led to a spike in these kinds of violations.
However, as AI tools became easier to access and use, more students began submitting AI-generated work, while cases of traditional plagiarism dropped. Between 2023 and 2024, only 15.2 out of every 1,000 students were caught plagiarizing.
The Guardian asked 155 universities to share five years of data on academic misconduct. Out of those, 131 responded with at least some information. Not every school had full records for all years or types of misconduct, and many still do not list AI cheating as its own category.
A recent study by Waseda University found that many people are turning to AI for emotional support. How was the study conducted? Read the full story.
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