(NewsNation) — A Northeastern University student has asked for a refund after a professor used artificial intelligence in his course while banning students from doing so.
Ella Stapleton told the New York Times she noticed lecture notes appeared to be generated by ChatGPT and spotted other telltale signs of AI in other course materials, including misspelled words, stray prompts and photos of people with extra limbs.
Stapleton said she was upset because the professor, Rick Arrowood, forbade students from using AI in the class.
Arrowood reportedly admitted he had put his materials through ChatGPT and said he would be more cautious and transparent about using AI.
Stapleton was not the only student who spoke to the Times about the use of AI. Another student said they transferred schools after repeatedly experiencing instructors using AI for grading and feedback.
Concerns have mounted over the use of AI in education. Many students admit to using tools like ChatGPT to complete their work, potentially skipping critical steps when it comes to learning the subject and gaining critical thinking skills.
Research has shown those who use generative AI and trust its responses use fewer critical thinking skills than those who don’t.
Professors have also used AI to ease workloads and help create assignments, despite students’ complaints that AI-generated assignments don’t always make sense. They have pointed out that, unlike students, they are already experts in their field and can better recognize when AI makes errors.
After her experience at Northeastern, Stapleton made a formal complaint requesting her tuition for the course back, a refund that would amount to more than $8,000. The school denied the request.