"Utilizing Lectures" - Universities Respond to ChatGPT for "Preventing Cheating" in the New Semester

As the new semester begins on university campuses, responses to the AI chatbot ‘ChatGPT’ are in full swing. On one hand, some universities have decided to utilize ChatGPT in their classes, while on the other hand, efforts are underway to devise measures to prevent plagiarism and ghostwriting of papers that exploit ChatGPT’s main functions.

The first institution to embrace ChatGPT was Seoul Cyber University. In the first semester liberal arts course ‘Current Status and Future of the Metaverse,’ it was explicitly stated that "using ChatGPT is mandatory." Students must include content generated by ChatGPT when submitting assignments.

Seung-ik Jeong, adjunct professor at Seoul Cyber University, explained, “ChatGPT is not perfect, but it saves a significant amount of human time,” adding, “I made ChatGPT usage mandatory because I believe that using useful tools to transcend one’s own cognitive limits is part of the learning process.”

Other major universities are also showing signs of gradually accepting ChatGPT. Seoul National University plans to encourage active integration of ChatGPT into classes by holding lectures on ChatGPT for professors. They are also preparing a newsletter featuring expert opinions under the theme ‘Proper Use of ChatGPT.’ A Seoul National University official stated, “Nothing has been concretely decided yet, but discussions are ongoing regarding various options.”

Korea University plans to use ChatGPT as a workbook (guidebook) in the course ‘Media Technology and Culture.’ Furthermore, they are considering an open ChatGPT exam. Kyung Hee University will also introduce an ‘open ChatGPT exam’ this semester in the Big Data Application Department to enhance students’ AI utilization skills. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, given its many language-related departments, anticipates extensive use of ChatGPT and is actively seeking ways to integrate it. Following Google Translate and Papago, ChatGPT will also be used as a tool in classes.

However, most other universities maintain the position that “since ChatGPT was developed only recently, we will observe its future development.” In fact, major Seoul universities such as Yonsei University and Chung-Ang University do not impose an outright ban but consider it difficult to immediately incorporate ChatGPT into classes, and are reportedly discussing related measures at the university level.

Meanwhile, the number of universities preparing in advance for misuse of ChatGPT is increasing. On the 28th of last month, Kookmin University became the first domestic university to announce an ‘Ethical Code for AI Utilization Including ChatGPT.’ The code includes ten items such as △understanding basic principles and latest trends of AI △not blindly trusting or outright rejecting AI △taking responsibility for selecting information and verifying truth △finding innovative learning methods using AI △mutual agreement between professors and students on AI usage △clearly disclosing AI usage when submitting assignments.

Ewha Womans University also established ethical guidelines to prevent misconduct such as unauthorized copying or plagiarism. The university is conducting a campaign targeting students attending online classes, requiring them to agree to an ‘Ethical Pledge for a Proper Learning Culture’ stating they will not plagiarize AI-generated works. Korea University is also preparing guidelines for professors and students regarding actual use of ChatGPT in assignments and exams. A Korea University official said, “We have determined that ChatGPT cannot be completely banned, so we are internally discussing measures to minimize side effects.”

Some universities have even begun developing tools to prevent misconduct involving ChatGPT misuse. Seoul National University’s AI research institute has started discussions on developing tools to prevent cheating using ChatGPT. There are also cases where professors prohibit ChatGPT use. Seok-jun Kwon, professor of Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, announced in his syllabus for the new semester, “While students may use AI such as ChatGPT during the learning process, submitting AI-generated answers as their own work will be considered misconduct.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.