The incident, which has been circulating widely on social media, involved an exam paper where the student reportedly answered the questions correctly but failed to demonstrate acceptable working methods.
Despite the accurate final answers, the lecturer awarded the student a score of 0 out of 40, citing suspected use of ChatGPT.
According to images of the marked paper shared on Instagram, the lecturer expressed dissatisfaction with how the student arrived at the solutions.
According to images of the marked paper shared on Instagram, the lecturer expressed dissatisfaction with how the student arrived at the solutions.
The responses, though mathematically sound, were said to lack the step-by-step reasoning expected at the student’s level of study.
For the student, the outcome was devastating. A score of zero effectively placed him on the same footing as someone who had not attempted the exam at all.
For the student, the outcome was devastating. A score of zero effectively placed him on the same footing as someone who had not attempted the exam at all.
The result shocked many online users, particularly because the answers themselves were reportedly correct.
While many universities globally have embraced artificial intelligence as a research and learning aid, most institutions strongly discourage students from submitting AI-generated work as their own.
While many universities globally have embraced artificial intelligence as a research and learning aid, most institutions strongly discourage students from submitting AI-generated work as their own.
Lecturers often insist that students must show independent thinking, especially in technical subjects such as mathematics, where the process is as important as the final answer.
In this case, the lecturer reportedly did not mince words, directly accusing the student of using ChatGPT to complete the exam.
In this case, the lecturer reportedly did not mince words, directly accusing the student of using ChatGPT to complete the exam.
The blunt feedback reignited conversations around academic integrity and the growing challenge of regulating AI use in higher education.
Online reactions were swift and divided. Some Kenyans supported the lecturer’s decision, arguing that academic standards must be protected at all costs.
Online reactions were swift and divided. Some Kenyans supported the lecturer’s decision, arguing that academic standards must be protected at all costs.
Others felt the punishment was too harsh, especially given that the student demonstrated an understanding of the content.
“A first-year student answering like a professor is a red flag,” one social media user joked, suggesting that the writing style may have given the student away.
“A first-year student answering like a professor is a red flag,” one social media user joked, suggesting that the writing style may have given the student away.
Others questioned whether lecturers themselves now rely on AI tools to detect AI-generated work, highlighting the irony of the situation.
Another group expressed sympathy for students navigating campus life in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.
Another group expressed sympathy for students navigating campus life in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.
Some older graduates noted that while their generation relied on Google and textbooks, today’s students face stricter scrutiny despite having more advanced tools at their disposal.
There were also suggestions that the student may have failed to “humanise” the answers, with netizens arguing that AI-generated solutions tend to sound overly polished or abstract for undergraduate work.
There were also suggestions that the student may have failed to “humanise” the answers, with netizens arguing that AI-generated solutions tend to sound overly polished or abstract for undergraduate work.
By the time the issue was identified, however, the damage had already been done.
The incident comes amid a global push by universities to regulate the use of AI in academics. In 2023, a leading French university banned students from using ChatGPT for assignments, warning that violations could result in severe disciplinary action, including expulsion.
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in education, institutions in Kenya and beyond are grappling with how to balance innovation with academic honesty.
The incident comes amid a global push by universities to regulate the use of AI in academics. In 2023, a leading French university banned students from using ChatGPT for assignments, warning that violations could result in severe disciplinary action, including expulsion.
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in education, institutions in Kenya and beyond are grappling with how to balance innovation with academic honesty.
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