Vanderbilt, Northwestern and University of Texas stop using Turnitin AI detector over false cheating accusations
Several US universities, including Vanderbilt, Northwestern and the University of Texas, have stopped using Turnitin's AI detection tool over concerns that it falsely marks student essays as written by ChatGPT. Vanderbilt estimated that the tool's 1% false-positive rate could have wrongly labelled about 750 of 75,000 papers submitted last year. A Texas professor came under fire for failing half his class after the software identified their essays as AI-generated. Turnitin said its technology is not meant to replace educators' professional discretion.
- Company involved
- Multiple universities (Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, University of Texas)
- AI system involved
- Turnitin's AI detection tool
9 source articles · read the reporting →
UK universities detect deepfake applicants in automated interviews
Some UK universities use Enroly's automated online interviews to screen international student applicants. Enroly detected about 30 cases of deepfake attempts out of 20,000 interviews during the January 2025 intake. The deepfakes used AI-generated images and audio to replace applicants' faces and voices. Enroly stated it caught the attempts using real-time detection methods.
- Company involved
- UK universities
- AI system involved
- Enroly
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Mass AI cheating scandal at Yonsei University with hundreds of students using ChatGPT
A large-scale cheating scandal has erupted at Yonsei University, where hundreds of students in a third-year online course are suspected of using AI tools such as ChatGPT to cheat on their midterm exam. The professor discovered signs of misconduct and offered students a chance to confess, with those coming forward receiving a zero but no further penalty. A poll on a student community app indicated that over half of respondents admitted to cheating. The university has not yet established clear guidelines on AI use.
- Company involved
- Yonsei University
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Princeton Review charges higher SAT prep fees to Asian Americans
A ProPublica study found that Princeton Review's geographically-determined pricing system charges Asian American students almost twice as likely as other ethnicities to pay the highest prices for online SAT tutoring. The system sets prices based on location, with higher prices in areas like New York City where Asian Americans are concentrated. Princeton Review stated that prices reflect local costs and competition, but the disparity raises concerns about racial discrimination in automated pricing.
- Company involved
- Princeton Review
7 source articles · read the reporting →
ChatGPT 4o image generator used to create fake receipts
ChatGPT's new image generator, part of the 4o model, can generate realistic fake restaurant receipts. Social media users demonstrated the capability, raising concerns about potential fraud. OpenAI stated that images include metadata and that it takes action against policy violations. The company defended the feature as allowing creative freedom.
- Company involved
- OpenAI
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT 4o image generator
5 source articles · read the reporting →
School AI surveillance like Gaggle can lead to false alarms, arrests
AI surveillance tools used in schools, such as Gaggle, GoGuardian and Bark, are reported to generate false alarms that have led to student arrests. The article examines cases where automated monitoring flagged innocent behaviour as threats, causing harm to students and families.
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Greater Noida Student Dies After School Alleges AI Cheating
A 16-year-old student in Greater Noida died by suicide on 23 December 2025 after school authorities questioned her over suspected use of AI tools during a pre-board exam. Her father alleges that teachers and the principal publicly humiliated her, causing severe emotional distress, and has filed a police complaint for abetment of suicide. The school denies harassment, stating they followed CBSE protocols, and has provided CCTV footage to police. The incident is under investigation.
1 source article · read the reporting →
OpenAI's GPT Store hosts copyright-infringing chatbots
Praxis, a Danish textbook publisher, discovered that users of OpenAI's GPT Store had created custom chatbots using copyrighted textbooks without permission. The publisher filed DMCA takedown notices, and OpenAI removed some bots, but new infringing bots continue to appear. Praxis is considering legal action if OpenAI does not improve its safeguards.
- Company involved
- OpenAI
- AI system involved
- GPT Store
3 source articles · read the reporting →
YouTube applies machine learning post-processing to Shorts without opt-out
YouTube announced an experiment on select Shorts using traditional machine learning to unblur, denoise, and improve clarity during processing. Creators reported that this altered their videos' appearance without an opt-out option, and some accused YouTube of misleading about the use of AI. YouTube acknowledged the experiment and said it would consider feedback, but did not offer a rollback or opt-out.
- Company involved
- YouTube
- AI system involved
- YouTube Shorts post-processing
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Broward College student flagged by Honorlock and accused of cheating
A 17-year-old Black student at Broward College was flagged by Honorlock, a remote proctoring system, during an online biology exam in February 2022. Her professor reviewed the recording and accused her of academic dishonesty for looking down and away from the screen; the college found her responsible for noncompliance and gave her a zero and a warning. The student says she was only thinking and fidgeting, and the article reports that the video is ambiguous. Honorlock says it does not definitively identify cheaters and the final decision rests with the school.
- Company involved
- Broward College
- AI system involved
- Honorlock
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Northeastern University Student Complains About Professor's Undisclosed AI-Generated Presentation
In February 2025, an undergraduate student at Northeastern University noticed that a professor's presentation contained misspellings and distorted images, leading her to suspect it was AI-generated. The professor had prohibited students from using AI, yet used it himself without disclosure. The student filed a formal complaint and demanded a tuition refund of over $8,000, but the university rejected her claim. The incident prompted Northeastern to later adopt a formal AI policy requiring attribution and review of AI-generated content.
- Company involved
- Northeastern University
2 source articles · read the reporting →
FTC Orders Edmodo to Stop Unlawful Collection of Children's Data for Advertising
The FTC filed a complaint against Edmodo, an education technology provider, alleging that it collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent and used it for advertising, in violation of the COPPA Rule. Edmodo also allegedly outsourced its compliance responsibilities to schools, providing them with inadequate information. Under a proposed order, Edmodo will be required to delete improperly collected data and change its practices, and faces a suspended $6 million penalty.
- Company involved
- Edmodo, LLC
- AI system involved
- Edmodo
1 source article · read the reporting →
X Users Ask Grok to Unblur Epstein File Photos of Children
After the US Department of Justice released Epstein files, multiple X users asked the platform's AI chatbot Grok to unblur or remove redactions from photos of children and women. Grok generated images in response to 27 of 31 such requests, despite stating it could not unblur them. The generated images, some viewed millions of times, risked exposing the identities of minor survivors of sexual abuse. X later appeared to add guardrails after Bellingcat inquired, but previously generated images remain online.
- Company involved
- X
- AI system involved
- Grok
1 source article · read the reporting →
Yale student sues after GPTZero AI detection leads to cheating accusation and suspension
Thierry Rignol, a top student in Yale's Executive MBA program, was accused of using AI on a final exam after the detection tool GPTZero flagged his answers. Despite his denials and claims of bias against non-native English speakers, Yale's Honor Committee suspended him for a year and gave him an F. Rignol sued Yale in federal court, alleging breach of contract, civil rights violations, and defamation; the case remains pending.
- Company involved
- Yale University
- AI system involved
- GPTZero
1 source article · read the reporting →
Privacy group files complaint against proctoring companies over AI surveillance
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a complaint with the District of Columbia attorney general against five exam proctoring companies—Respondus, ProctorU, Proctorio, Examity, and Honorlock—alleging unfair and deceptive business practices. The companies are accused of using opaque AI algorithms to flag cheating and collecting excessive biometric data from students. Students have reported that the facial recognition software fails to detect dark skin tones, preventing them from taking exams. EPIC has also sent demand letters threatening civil suits if the companies do not stop their practices.
- Company involved
- Proctorio, Respondus, ProctorU, Examity, Honorlock
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Appen criticised for asking job candidates to take 'paper bag test' about skin colour
Appen, an Australian AI company, is accused of racism after asking job candidates to select their skin complexion as part of an online application. Charné Graham, a Black woman in Houston, said she did not continue with the application after being asked to choose from options including 'light - pale white' and 'very dark brown to black'. Appen apologised, saying the question was intended to ensure diverse datasets for training computer vision algorithms but acknowledged it 'missed the mark'.
- Company involved
- Appen
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Evolv AI scanner fails to detect knife, student stabbed at Utica school
In October 2022, a student at Proctor High School in Utica, New York, was stabbed with a knife that the Evolv Express AI weapons scanner failed to detect. The school district had installed the system in 13 schools. An internal investigation found the system was not designed to detect knives. The scanners were removed from Proctor High School but remain in other schools.
- Company involved
- Utica City School District
- AI system involved
- Evolv Express
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Minneapolis schools use Gaggle AI to monitor students' online activity
Minneapolis Public Schools deployed Gaggle, an AI-powered surveillance system, to monitor students' school-issued Google and Microsoft accounts during remote learning. The system flagged thousands of incidents, including references to self-harm and pornography, raising privacy concerns. Critics argue the surveillance undermines student trust and may deter them from seeking help. The district defended the tool as a way to identify students in distress.
- Company involved
- Minneapolis Public Schools
- AI system involved
- Gaggle
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam accused of racial discrimination by anti-cheating software
A female student with dark skin at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam alleges that the Proctorio anti-cheating software used during online exams in the 2020/21 academic year discriminated against her on the basis of race. The software's facial detection algorithm frequently failed to detect her, causing her to be removed from exams and causing stress. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights found a presumption of indirect discrimination and gave the university an opportunity to prove otherwise.
- Company involved
- Stichting Vrije Universiteit
- AI system involved
- Proctorio
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Alpha School parents allege harm from AI-driven learning software
Parents of students at Alpha School in Brownsville, Texas, allege that the school's AI-driven learning software caused their children psychological distress and physical harm. One 9-year-old girl was forced to repeat multiplication lessons hundreds of times, leading to crying episodes and weight loss, and was denied snacks until she met software metrics. The school denies the allegations and says it prioritises a safe environment.
- Company involved
- Alpha School
- AI system involved
- IXL
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Paraná schools use European facial recognition to mark attendance, risking welfare for false absences
Since 2023, the Paraná state education department in Brazil has deployed facial recognition software from Slovak company Innovatrics in over 1,700 schools to automate attendance for nearly one million children. The system has made errors, marking present students as absent. Because attendance records generated by the algorithm affect eligibility for the Bolsa Família welfare program, false absences could threaten families' benefits. In April 2025, the state's public prosecutor filed a legal challenge alleging the system violates Brazilian law; the case is pending.
- Company involved
- Paraná state education department (Secretaria da Educação do Paraná)
- AI system involved
- LRCO Paraná
8 source articles · read the reporting →
