For two years now, ChatGPT has tempted students and haunted teachers. While making learning more accessible for students, many have used ChatGPT unethically to do their work for them.

While ChatGPT isn’t the best writer, it is certainly a fast one, making it an appealing option for students who face heavy workloads.

“[I see it] being employed to replace writing that might be pragmatic and not creative,” offered English teacher Nicholas Martino.

While ChatGPT was initially a large issue in classrooms, strategies like requiring hand-written essays and tools like GPT Zero have reduced student use this year. Martino added that he has seen very few cases of ChatGPT use on assignments this year, which is an encouraging trend.

However, while the technology to detect cheating is getting better, so are the tools to avoid detection. Tools like Humanize AI, which makes ChatGPT-written texts sound more student-written, are on the rise.

ChatGPT is not necessarily all bad; it has significant elements that can support students in positive ways. For instance, Martino explained how his sophomores are currently doing a project that requires the students to learn more about different creation myths, which can require long hours of research. He encouraged them to use ChatGPT to learn more about different types of creation myths, then pick one and do deeper research using reputable sources.

“They cannot cite ChatGPT… but I do encourage them to use it to find strong sources which they can cite in their essay,” Martino added.

Students in his class appreciate his AI policy.

“I like the project and the adaptation with ChatGPT,” said Agustya Karadkar ‘27.

With the introduction of new anti-cheating mechanisms, the landscape has considerably changed since the engine was introduced almost two years ago. While some teachers are creating strategies to prevent AI use, others are interested in adapting to the shifting environment. The majority recognize that AI has both its harms and appeals, and make an effort to use new possible learning techniques wherever possible.