Using AI in Higher Education: When Does It Become Plagiarism?

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has sparked a heated debate about academic integrity. With students increasingly utilising AI-driven tools for various academic tasks, the lines between legitimate assistance and unethical practices are becoming blurred. The recent rise of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, has particularly raised concerns among educators and institutions regarding the potential for plagiarism.
Instances of AI-assisted plagiarism are not limited to India; they have become a global issue. In the United Kingdom, a significant number of undergraduate applications were flagged for containing plagiarised content, with a notable percentage of these cases attributed to the misuse of AI tools. The fear is that students leveraging AI for cheating could enter the workforce, perpetuating a culture of dishonesty and undermining the value of their qualifications.
Understanding Plagiarism in the Age of AI
The use of AI in academic work becomes plagiarism when students present AI-generated content as their own original work without proper attribution. This encompasses various scenarios, such as submitting an essay or research paper created predominantly by an AI tool without acknowledging the tool’s contribution. Plagiarism is defined by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the act of claiming someone else’s work, including that generated by artificial intelligence, as one’s own. By failing to disclose the involvement of AI in their submissions, students violate the principles of academic integrity, which emphasise the importance of original thought and proper credit for all sources of information, including technology.

Furthermore, AI usage crosses into plagiarism territory when students use the technology to merely rephrase or paraphrase existing content without a deeper engagement with the material. If a student inputs text into an AI tool to generate a modified version of another’s work, this still constitutes plagiarism, as the fundamental ideas and structure remain unacknowledged. It is crucial for students to understand that while AI can enhance their research process, transparency regarding its use is essential. To avoid plagiarism, students should actively engage with AI outputs, ensuring their contributions reflect genuine understanding and originality, rather than relying solely on the technology to produce academic work.

The Challenge of Detection
Universities have long employed plagiarism detection software to uphold academic integrity. These tools, such as Turnitin and Grammarly, analyse submitted documents for similarities with existing texts. However, the effectiveness of these tools is now being challenged by sophisticated AI applications that can generate paraphrased content, making it difficult to identify plagiarism.
For example, students may use AI to draft essays, and then employ rewriting software to further disguise the original text. This multi-step process complicates the task for educators attempting to enforce plagiarism policies. As AI technology evolves, so too must the methods employed to detect and prevent academic dishonesty.

The Role of Educational Institutions in Beating Plagiarism
To combat the rising tide of AI-assisted plagiarism, educational institutions must adopt a proactive approach. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established guidelines to promote academic integrity and prevent plagiarism. Institutions are encouraged to implement technology-based mechanisms for checking plagiarism before document submission. Moreover, students are required to submit an undertaking confirming that their work is original and free from plagiarism.
Additionally, the UGC has introduced penalties for varying levels of plagiarism, emphasising the need for institutional accountability. This framework aims to ensure that students understand the implications of academic dishonesty and the importance of integrity in their work.
Plagiarism and Regulatory Measures
While there is no available data on the extent of cheating in Indian higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) took significant steps in 2016 by drafting a law aimed at preventing rampant plagiarism. This culminated in the adoption of the “Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions” regulations in 2018.
The UGC’s efforts were preceded by a 2015 mandate requiring the use of anti-plagiarism software to check PhD theses, a response to several central university vice-chancellors and teachers being accused of plagiarism. The aim was to establish preventive measures against academic dishonesty at the Master’s, MPhil, and PhD levels, as well as among faculty members. The UGC’s 2018 regulations include the following key measures to curb plagiarism:
Mandatory Anti-Plagiarism Software: All higher educational institutions (HEIs) are required to implement technology-based mechanisms to ensure the originality of submitted documents.
Student Undertakings: Students must submit an undertaking stating that their work is original and has been checked for plagiarism using approved detection tools.
Institutional Repository: HEIs must create a repository for storing all academic submissions, promoting transparency and accessibility.
Responsible Usage of AI: Tips for Students and Researchers
While the risk of AI-driven plagiarism is real, students and researchers can use AI responsibly to enhance their academic work. Here are some tips for ensuring ethical use:
Use AI as a Learning Aid: Instead of relying solely on AI to generate content, use it as a supplement to your research and writing process. Engage with AI tools to clarify concepts, gather ideas, or improve your writing style.
Cite Your Sources: If you use AI-generated content, make it a practice to disclose this in your submissions. Proper citation of any AI tool used in your work upholds academic integrity.
Check for Plagiarism: Always run your work through plagiarism detection software before submission. This step ensures that any unintentional similarities with existing content are identified and addressed.
Engage with Your Work: Take the time to edit and refine AI-generated content. Adding your voice and insights not only enhances originality but also deepens your understanding of the subject matter.
Stay Informed on Policies: Familiarise yourself with your institution’s policies on AI use and plagiarism. Understanding the regulations can help you navigate the complexities of academic integrity in the age of AI.
Balancing Innovation and Integrity
While the use of AI in education presents exciting possibilities for enhancing learning experiences, it also necessitates a cultural shift in how students engage with technology. Rather than viewing AI as a shortcut to success, students should be encouraged to use these tools to support their learning and skill development.
Educational institutions should adapt their assessment methods to incorporate AI technology, enabling students to demonstrate their understanding in innovative ways. By fostering an environment that values creativity and critical thinking, institutions can mitigate the risk of plagiarism while preparing students for a rapidly evolving job market.
The integration of AI in higher education poses significant challenges concerning academic integrity. As institutions navigate this new landscape, it is crucial to define clear guidelines for the ethical use of AI tools. Only by fostering a culture of integrity and accountability can we ensure that the benefits of AI in education are realised without compromising the value of academic qualifications.