What conversations are you planning to have with your students about integrity in this GenAI era?
While using GenAI checkers might seem like an easy solution for identifying AI-generated work, UBC strongly discourages the use of these tools. UBC’s guidance regarding GenAI tools highlights concerns around effectiveness, accuracy, bias, privacy, and intellectual property.
Recent studies (Saha & Feizi, 2025; Dugan et. Al, 2024) show GenAI detectors often produce inconsistent or biased results, especially with older or smaller models. A 2025 study by Russel et. al (2025) found that frequent GenAI users outperformed nearly all AI detectors in spotting AI-written content. This reinforces an important point: instructors and TAs remain the most effective line of defence against GenAI-related misconduct.
Instead of relying on detection tools, consider integrating low-effort academic integrity strategies into your course. These can include adding clear expectations in your syllabus, discussing integrity in class, and designing assessments that reduce opportunities for misconduct.
One of these is having frank conversations about what integrity means to the students and for the course. A study by Vahid et. Al (2023) suggests some low-effort strategies such as the following: (1) normalizing help and pointing students to resources; (2) requiring an integrity quiz with explicit do’s and don’ts that reflect academic integrity in your course; (3) embed conversations about academic integrity throughout the course either through setting up classroom agreements, reflective activities, or mid-term check-in.
According to the results of that study, these methods have shown a reduction in cheating and increasing honest practices among students. At UBCO, some of these low effort strategies are offered through the AIM Program: for example, you can contact AIM (aim.ok@ubc.ca) if you would like a consultant to visit your class and talk about the AIM any academic integrity topics relevant to your course and field. Also, AIM will be releasing updated versions of their Canvas courses for course integration (Writing and Plagiarism, and Unauthorized Collaboration and Cheating) by the end of August. More information will be disseminated through your departments before the WT1 semester begins. Educational consultants can also support you with designing an integrity quiz, reflection, mid-term check-in, or other academic integrity affirming activity.
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