A recent report by Save My Exams reveals that a substantial portion of students are incorporating artificial intelligence into their homework routines, with many struggling to differentiate between human and AI-generated answers.
According to the survey conducted by Save My Exams, which included responses from over 1,000 students, 75% reported using AI tools to complete their homework tasks. Additionally, when presented with two answers to a homework question—one created by a teacher and the other by an AI—a significant 67% of students were unable to distinguish between the two.
The survey points to a growing prevalence of AI use among students, presenting new challenges for parents and educators. As examination periods approach in the United Kingdom, this trend prompts questions about the ability of parents to recognise when AI is being used by their children for school assignments.
James Woodhouse, a Computer Science Teacher and expert at Save My Exams, commented on the issue, stating, "it's getting harder and harder to tell when students are using AI." Woodhouse emphasised the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, adding that, "AI is getting more advanced by the day, and it's becoming increasingly convincing when you give it a detailed prompt to work from."
Further findings from the report reveal that two-thirds of students believe using AI for homework does not constitute cheating; however, more than half of parents disagree with this sentiment. In addition, 54% of parents interviewed admitted to actively checking whether their children utilise AI for schoolwork.
Woodhouse highlighted the dual role of teachers and parents in guiding students towards responsible use of AI tools. "Students are already using AI, and it's not going away anytime soon. But there are lots of ways we can support them to use tools like ChatGPT responsibly," he stated.
He also noted the necessity for parental involvement, saying, "Whilst teachers have a responsibility to educate children in the classroom, parents can help at home too. It's important that parents remind their children of the limitations of AI. It shouldn't be used as a shortcut, but as a way to enhance learning."
Woodhouse advised parents to encourage their children to fact-check AI-generated information, which could aid in the development of critical thinking skills. "If their school has an AI policy, they should be referring to this where possible, so their children are using these tools in a way that supports their learning," he said.
The report's survey methodology involved presenting students with two responses to a GCSE Business exam-style question. The answer identified as being generated by ChatGPT was: "One disadvantage to a small business of using qualitative data for market research is that it is mostly non-numeric. This makes it complex to analyse because the business must interpret opinions and feelings, which can vary widely between individuals. This can make it difficult to make clear decisions based on the data." Conversely, the teacher-written response highlighted the potential lack of utility due to the qualitative nature of the data, emphasising difficulties in analysis and interpretation.
Woodhouse concluded by encouraging open discussions about AI between parents and their children. "I encourage parents and their children to have candid discussions about AI. This way, students become more aware of the opportunities and limitations of using AI for their schoolwork," he stated. Such dialogue could be instrumental in navigating the evolving educational landscape as AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday learning processes.
