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OIA publishes a casework note and case summaries relating to AI and academic misconduct

We have today published a casework note and some case summaries of complaints about the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

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The casework note sets out some of the issues we see in the small number of complaints about this that we review, almost all of which are about where students’ use of AI has been the subject of an academic misconduct procedure.

We understand from our conversations with higher education providers and student representative bodies that they are seeing more incidences of academic misconduct linked to AI in internal procedures. Many providers’ procedures allow for an educational rather than punitive approach for minor or first instances of academic misconduct and we consider this to be good practice. Where students have been dissatisfied it is often in instances where a provider has not fully explained why they have concluded that AI has been used inappropriately, or if the student has not been given a fair opportunity to respond to the evidence.  

It's important that HE providers continue to engage in discussions with students about what AI should be used for and ensure that they are clear about what use of AI in learning and assessment is considered to be academic misconduct. Providers have a responsibility to ensure that their assessments are fair and reliable and that they investigate fairly any concerns that may affect their academic standards or integrity. 

We set out the principles that apply to all types of academic misconduct, including inappropriate use of generative AI in assessed work in our Good Practice Framework: Disciplinary procedures. Some providers have developed specific AI policies, while others have built in guidance on the use of AI into existing academic misconduct processes, assessment briefs and regulations; and either approach can be effective. 

We hope the casework note and the case summaries will be helpful to providers, student representative bodies and students.

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

For further information please contact mediarelations@oiahe.org.uk, 0118 959 9813. 

  1. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) is the independent student complaints ombuds service for higher education in England and Wales. It is the designated operator of the student complaints’ scheme under the Higher Education Act 2004. 
  2. Our Scheme is free to students and has been designed to be accessible to all students, without the need for legal representation. 
  3. We have a wide remit to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales, as set out in our Scheme Rules. 
  4. We publish casework notes and case summaries as part of our wider work to share learning from complaints and provide good practice guidance, including our Good Practice Framework. 
  5. You can find further information about the Scheme and our work at https://www.oiahe.org.uk/.