A student says they failed a class because their professor accused them of using ChatGPT to write an essay—even with proof to the contrary.
In a viral video, Sawyer (@studywithsawyer) says, “My professor just told me that because I used an em dash in my paper, it’s 100% AI and I get a zero on the assignment. I showed him that GPTZero said it’s 100% human, and he does not care.”
In a follow-up video, Sawyer says he believes he failed the class because the essay his groupmate submitted was “100% AI” and “used a bunch of em dashes, too.”
But is it true?
Viewers have cast doubt on Sawyer’s tale because his initial video and subsequent follow-ups (both related and unrelated to the supposed failed class) include the “Paid partnership” banner or hashtag #gptzeroambassador. His videos include him using GPTZero for a variety of things, including checking the AI content of a paper or using the tool’s suggestions on what text he should change in his papers.
Ironically, he has at least two videos suggesting students use GPTZero to make sure they’re not falsely accused of using AI—even though it didn’t work for him, if his story is to be believed.
What should I do if I’m falsely accused of using AI?
Asselta Law P.A. states you should take the following steps:
- Ask for evidence that is not solely based on an AI detection report, as they are notoriously unreliable. “Platforms like Turnitin and GPTZero claim to detect AI-generated content, yet studies have repeatedly shown that these tools produce false positives at alarming rates,” it states.
- Give writing samples to show your writing style and consistency.
- Check your syllabus. Make sure the syllabus’s guidelines on AI use are clear. If they’re not, this could work in your favor.
- Seek help from someone like an education attorney if your academic future is at stake.
How are college students using AI?
According to Nerdynav, 43% of college students have used ChatGPT or similar AI tools. The majority of this use is for homework and essays, while 48% is for at-home tests. While 51% of students consider using AI cheating, 22% still do it.
@studywithsawyer It might be over #college #finals #writing #gptzeroambassador #gptzeroad ♬ original sound – Sawyer
The Mary Sue reached out to Sawyer via TikTok comment and direct message. It reached out to GPTZero via email.
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