ENG1503
Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 12 June 2025
QUESTION ONE – DISCURSIVE ESSAY (2 essays provided)
Academic dishonesty has long plagued educational institutions, but the advent of artificial
intelligence (AI) has redefined the nature and complexity of this challenge. As
Mohammadkarimi (2023) rightly notes, AI has reshaped the academic landscape,
introducing novel opportunities for cheating. This essay explores three prominent causes of
academic dishonesty, improper AI use, a decline in critical thinking, and the resulting
deterioration in the quality of graduates, and how these factors undermine the integrity and
future outcomes of higher education.
The improper use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and paraphrasing software has
made it easier for students to commit academic misconduct. While these tools were
designed to support learning, students often exploit them to generate essays, paraphrase
texts undetectably, or complete assignments without personal effort.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION ONE – DISCURSIVE ESSAY (3 essays provided)
Improper AI Usage, Declining Critical Thinking, and Workforce Impacts: The
Modern Face of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty in higher education has taken new dimensions with the
integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While traditional misconduct like
plagiarism and cheating remain prevalent, the improper use of AI poses novel ethical
concerns, contributing significantly to the erosion of academic integrity. This essay
explores three leading causes of academic dishonesty namely, improper AI usage,
reduction of critical thinking skills, and the deterioration of the quality of students’
future workforce and discusses their impact on higher institutions.
One of the most concerning drivers of modern academic dishonesty is the improper
use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and other generative language models. These
technologies allow students to submit AI-generated content as their own, thereby
misrepresenting their learning. According to Choi et al. (2023), while AI has
instructional potential, it can also undermine independent thinking and promote
dishonesty when students rely on it to complete assessments deceptively. The
temptation to use AI tools for quick, polished outputs has increased particularly in
online settings where academic monitoring is limited. Cantiello and Geschke (2024)
observe that AI tools can now produce human-like responses to written tasks,
making them difficult to detect through traditional plagiarism software.
This reliance on AI also leads to a reduction in critical thinking and academic effort.
Students become passive consumers of information, failing to engage deeply with
learning material. Orok et al. (2023) found that many students participate in
misconduct because of fear of failure and peer pressure, indicating a preference for
shortcuts over intellectual effort. When AI is misused as a substitute for learning
rather than a complement to it, students miss out on opportunities to develop
analysis, reasoning, and reflective skills. This intellectual stagnation diminishes the
value of higher education as a space for cognitive growth and innovation.
Furthermore, academic dishonesty severely impacts the future workforce produced
by universities. Students who consistently cheat may enter the labour market lacking
the competence to perform their roles effectively. According to Shofiu (2023),
Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 12 June 2025
QUESTION ONE – DISCURSIVE ESSAY (2 essays provided)
Academic dishonesty has long plagued educational institutions, but the advent of artificial
intelligence (AI) has redefined the nature and complexity of this challenge. As
Mohammadkarimi (2023) rightly notes, AI has reshaped the academic landscape,
introducing novel opportunities for cheating. This essay explores three prominent causes of
academic dishonesty, improper AI use, a decline in critical thinking, and the resulting
deterioration in the quality of graduates, and how these factors undermine the integrity and
future outcomes of higher education.
The improper use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and paraphrasing software has
made it easier for students to commit academic misconduct. While these tools were
designed to support learning, students often exploit them to generate essays, paraphrase
texts undetectably, or complete assignments without personal effort.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION ONE – DISCURSIVE ESSAY (3 essays provided)
Improper AI Usage, Declining Critical Thinking, and Workforce Impacts: The
Modern Face of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty in higher education has taken new dimensions with the
integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While traditional misconduct like
plagiarism and cheating remain prevalent, the improper use of AI poses novel ethical
concerns, contributing significantly to the erosion of academic integrity. This essay
explores three leading causes of academic dishonesty namely, improper AI usage,
reduction of critical thinking skills, and the deterioration of the quality of students’
future workforce and discusses their impact on higher institutions.
One of the most concerning drivers of modern academic dishonesty is the improper
use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and other generative language models. These
technologies allow students to submit AI-generated content as their own, thereby
misrepresenting their learning. According to Choi et al. (2023), while AI has
instructional potential, it can also undermine independent thinking and promote
dishonesty when students rely on it to complete assessments deceptively. The
temptation to use AI tools for quick, polished outputs has increased particularly in
online settings where academic monitoring is limited. Cantiello and Geschke (2024)
observe that AI tools can now produce human-like responses to written tasks,
making them difficult to detect through traditional plagiarism software.
This reliance on AI also leads to a reduction in critical thinking and academic effort.
Students become passive consumers of information, failing to engage deeply with
learning material. Orok et al. (2023) found that many students participate in
misconduct because of fear of failure and peer pressure, indicating a preference for
shortcuts over intellectual effort. When AI is misused as a substitute for learning
rather than a complement to it, students miss out on opportunities to develop
analysis, reasoning, and reflective skills. This intellectual stagnation diminishes the
value of higher education as a space for cognitive growth and innovation.
Furthermore, academic dishonesty severely impacts the future workforce produced
by universities. Students who consistently cheat may enter the labour market lacking
the competence to perform their roles effectively. According to Shofiu (2023),
