Educators Team Up With AI Detection Startup to Stay Ahead of ChatGPT Cheating

As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT gain popularity, teachers are exploring strategies to ensure responsible use in education. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the nation’s second-largest teachers union, recently announced a partnership with GPTZero, an AI detection technology start-up.
GPTZero provides tools that can identify content generated by ChatGPT or other AI systems. Its goal is to assist teachers in monitoring and managing students’ use of generative AI for schoolwork.

GPTZero’s co-founder Edward Tian says the startup aims to facilitate responsible AI adoption in classrooms. The company offers free versions of its detection software and verification tools enabling students to disclose AI use in their work. “We want to empower students to use AI responsibly,” Tian said, envisioning a future where AI compliments rather than disrupts education.

The American Federation of Teachers’ leadership emphasizes that teachers want to integrate technology and are not opposed to AI itself, but proper oversight is required to prevent misuse. “You can’t stop innovation. You need to ride it and harness it,” says AFT President Randi Weingarten. She suggests AI has the potential to reduce educators’ paperwork if used ethically.

The partnership between AFT and GPTZero reflects educators’ growing need for strategies and tools to balance AI’s benefits and risks as the use of the technology spreads. Classroom implementation remains in early stages, but detectors like GPTZero’s could allow teachers to work constructively with AI.

As generative AI continues to advance at a rapid pace, we can expect a growing discourse on policy to shape its evolving role in academics. A proactive approach will help refine the application and impact of generative AI for both students and teachers.