Artificial Intelligence is changing the world faster than we expected, but its use in academics has now sparked a major online debate. A UCLA student recently went viral for revealing at his graduation ceremony that he used ChatGPT to complete his final project.
What started as a cheeky confession has now turned into a serious discussion about AI misuse in education, raising important questions:
- Should students openly use AI tools to complete academic work?
- Does this destroy the value of degrees?
- Could this trend affect professional fields like medicine or engineering?
Let’s explore the full story, real public reactions, and what this means for the future of education.
The Viral Video: What Happened?
The incident occurred during UCLA’s graduation ceremony, where a student bragged into the microphone that he had used ChatGPT to finish his final project. His announcement was met with cheers and laughter from fellow students.
Soon after, the clip went viral on social media, especially after being reshared by the popular creator FearBuck on Twitter (X). The video has now crossed over 71 million views.
While some online users found it funny, others pointed out serious flaws in this behavior, calling it:
- Irresponsible
- Short-sighted
- Potentially harmful for professional careers
Social Media Reactions: Mixed but Critical
The viral video triggered thousands of reactions, ranging from funny memes to genuine concerns.
Critical Comments
- “Start eating healthy y’all, your future doctor is probably using ChatGPT right now.”
- “Neck deep in debt only to get out with underdeveloped skills, nice one.”
- “That’s scary. Professional jobs without the professionals.”
- “So many years, just to ruin the value of your diploma for some buzz on social media.”
Supportive or Neutral Comments
- “Don’t act like you all weren’t using Google when you were in school.”
- “People have always cheated. He’ll be weeded out eventually.”
- “If you’re smart, you use it for help, not for shortcuts.”
Legal Concerns Raised
One user even asked, “Is it legal to use AI in university assignments?”
Is It Legal to Use ChatGPT for University Work?
The answer is complicated and varies by institution:
- Many universities around the world, including UCLA, now have strict AI use policies.
- Plagiarism rules apply if students submit AI-generated content as their own without disclosure.
- Some colleges encourage ethical AI use for brainstorming, research help, or improving drafts.
- However, submitting AI-generated assignments as original work without disclosure is considered academic misconduct in most cases.
Many universities are currently reviewing their academic integrity guidelines to deal with this very issue.
The Bigger Problem: Over-Reliance on AI
AI like ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for learning, but complete dependence can:
- Weaken critical thinking skills
- Reduce real subject understanding
- Lead to career risks, especially in professions like medicine, law, or engineering
Imagine future professionals like:
- Doctors who don’t fully understand human biology
- Engineers who can’t solve problems without AI
- Lawyers who rely on flawed AI-generated cases
The potential damage is real, and that’s why many experts are urging students to use AI as a tool, not as a substitute for learning.
Real Experiences: What Students Are Saying
On platforms like Reddit, students openly share how they use ChatGPT:
- Some use it to clarify tough concepts and speed up research.
- Others admit they use it to generate entire essays or assignments.
- Several Reddit users warn that AI can plagiarize or generate fake references, making unchecked use risky.
One student summed it up well: “It’s OK for general help, but you need to fact-check everything. Otherwise, you’ll embarrass yourself.”
ChatGPT and Plagiarism: The Hidden Danger
Academic plagiarism is not just about copying from books or websites anymore. AI-generated text can also trigger plagiarism detection systems, especially when students:
- Fail to edit or customize AI-generated drafts
- Ask AI for references that don’t exist
- Submit content without checking accuracy
Universities in the US, UK, Australia, and India are now training faculty to detect AI misuse in assignments.
What Experts Are Saying
Education experts believe that the solution is not banning AI, but teaching students how to use it responsibly.
Ethical Use of ChatGPT:
- Use it to summarize difficult topics.
- Get help structuring ideas or finding research angles.
- Always verify facts and write your own analysis.
- Cite the tool when necessary, especially if used for major parts of an assignment.
Unethical Use of ChatGPT:
- Submitting AI content as your original work.
- Using AI for projects requiring creativity or critical thinking.
- Relying on AI for professional-level qualifications without understanding the material.
What Universities Are Doing About It
Leading institutions like:
- Cambridge University
- Oxford University
- MIT
- Delhi University
…have begun issuing clear guidelines on AI usage in coursework.
Some have introduced AI honesty statements that students must sign before submitting major assignments.
In the near future, expect:
- Mandatory AI usage disclosures
- More AI-detection software integrated into plagiarism checks
- AI-literacy courses for students
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