As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more advanced, students are increasingly using it as a shortcut for completing long-form assignments, such as essays. The ability of these tools to generate human-like content—combined with its lack of traceable sources—makes it even harder to detect these submissions. And by relying on these shortcuts, students may be bypassing genuine learning.
With limited time and resources, teachers often struggle to identify when a student has used AI. However, in this article, we give an overview of the best tools to spot AI generated responses more quickly, along with some strategies to encourage more responsible use.
One criticism is that AI may lead to an over-dependence on technology at the expense of students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition, newer teachers might not develop the skills needed to thrive in their careers. And while AI can assist educators, it lacks the emotional intelligence of a real teacher, which is essential for student well-being and motivation.
There are also ethical concerns to consider. AI systems will replicate any biases in the data they’re trained on, and flawed data may lead to unfair assessment. AI grading often also lacks the transparency of human grading, where students can ask for justification for their grades or challenge their results.
Some teachers might be resistant to unfamiliar technology and the changes it brings, or fear that AI threatens their role. Additionally, a lack of proper training can lead to ineffective or misguided use of AI in the classroom.
AI tools can be expensive to integrate and upgrade as time goes on. This can mean that not all schools have the same level of access, potentially widening the digital divide.
The likelihood of AI detection in student work is based on:
Here are some effective strategies teachers use to check student work for AI usage.
If you suspect AI, contrast against examples of the student’s recent handwritten work. Has the tone or writing style changed significantly? Another telltale sign is if the work is substantially better written than usual, without a reasonable explanation.
AI-generated work may display inconsistencies in theme or content, such as abrupt shifts between ideas or tone. You might also spot overly sophisticated vocabulary, making the work feel unnaturally formal.
You’ve likely heard about ChatGPT’s struggle to identify the correct amount of Rs in “strawberry.” While powerful, AI tools still make errors. It’s important to check through students’ work for outdated facts or incorrect information, as multiple errors could signify AI usage.
AI replicates, it doesn’t create. If your student’s work feels impersonal and lacks depth, emotion, or original ideas, it may be AI-generated.
Don’t be afraid to lean on your experience and intuition. As their teacher, you’re familiar with your student’s capabilities and style, so you can likely identify if the work has changed significantly.
While plagiarism software is most commonly used for detecting copied work, many digital tools now check student work for AI-generated content as well. Below, we delve into these in more detail.
In 2023, researchers named Copyleaks as the most accurate tool for detecting AI-generated text. As the only detector to spot AI content in over 30 languages, this tool is a solid choice for teachers.
While there’s a basic free plan, you can upgrade to access full features. Annual plans are the cheapest, starting at $7.99 a month for the AI Detector; $8.99 for the Plagiarism Checker, or a monthly fee of $13.99 for both. Plans include up to 1,200 credits (1 credit equals 250 words), 2 user logins, and detection of AI with over 99% accuracy and/or detection of source code plagiarism.
Described as the “most trusted AI detector” on its website, Winston AI claims to set the standard in AI detection, with 99.98% accuracy when identifying “all known AI models.”
While you can access a free trial for 14 days, upgrading to a premium plan brings benefits such as handwriting scanning, shareable PDF reports, and up to 500,000 credits a month (1 credit per word). Prices start at $12 a month, billed annually.
GPTZero
Known for its reliability, GPTZero leverages the latest research to detect AI models such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, while also tracing their sources and providing clear explanations.
While you can get started for free, more advanced plans start at $8.33 a month (billed annually) and include an AI scan, grammar check, and AI vocab check of 150,000 words per month.
Establish boundaries with your students about when and how they can use AI in their work. Explain responsible AI usage upfront, encouraging students to analyze and further research responses.
Make a habit of following up with students on their submitted assignments, questioning them about how they planned it, where they got their ideas, and what sources they used. This can discourage complacency when submitting generated assignments.
Assign projects that prioritize personal experience and engagement. Some examples include:
For teachers, checking for AI-generated content can be challenging, but with the right tools and techniques, it becomes manageable. By assigning a variety of projects and setting clear boundaries, teachers can reduce AI reliance and promote deeper learning. AI should always complement, not replace, effective teaching and student development.
Discover how teachers are using AI in the classroom—and the things to consider when integrating AI tools in teaching—over on the TAO blog.
Check student work for AI by looking for unnatural phrasing, repetitive patterns, inconsistencies in tone, and generic content. AI detection tools such as Copyleaks can review a student’s written coherence and structure while cross-checking factual information for accuracy.
Teacher AI checkers, such as GPTZero, can detect AI-generated code by analyzing patterns, inconsistencies, and unnatural structures.