NESA has reassured students that they will be marked on how they responded to an exam question using an AI-generated image, rather than the origin or construction of the image. Sydney University lecturer Armin Chitizadeh, who formerly ran UNSW’s AI course, believes analyzing AI-generated content could be a valuable exercise for students, but emphasized the importance of attributing the use of AI. NESA has reached out to the creator of the stimulus in the exam to seek permission for future use, but has not yet received a response. The use of AI in assessment tasks without proper acknowledgment is considered a breach of academic integrity according to NESA’s policies.
All school leavers who will be taking the HSC exams were required to complete an anti-plagiarism module, which included lessons on the ethical use of AI. The second week of HSC exams is set to begin, with students taking advanced, standard, and extension two mathematics papers. Despite concerns about the lack of attribution in using AI in education, the exams will move forward as scheduled. While some believe analyzing AI-generated content could prepare students for real-world scenarios where they may encounter similar challenges, there is a consensus that proper acknowledgment of AI use is essential.
As students prepare to tackle the advanced, standard, and extension two mathematics papers in the upcoming week of HSC exams, they will be faced with using AI-generated content in their responses. NESA’s statement that students will be assessed based on their responses to the question, rather than the origin of the AI-generated image, aims to provide clarity and reassurance to those taking the exams. While some have raised concerns about the failure to attribute the use of AI, the focus remains on how the students analyze and respond to the content in the exam, rather than on the technology itself.
The compulsory anti-plagiarism module that school leavers completed before starting the HSC exams included lessons on the ethical use of AI, highlighting the importance of proper acknowledgment in academic work. This reflects NESA’s commitment to upholding academic integrity and ensuring that students understand the ethical implications of using AI in their assessments. By requiring students to complete this module, NESA aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the challenges of using AI in education responsibly.
As the exams progress into the second week, thousands of students will be sitting for the mathematics papers, facing the task of responding to questions that involve AI-generated content. While NESA has sought permission from the creator of the stimulus for future use, the exams will proceed as scheduled, with a focus on students’ responses to the content provided. This experience serves as an opportunity for students to engage with AI in an educational setting, preparing them for potential encounters with similar challenges in the future.
In conclusion, the inclusion of AI-generated content in HSC exams has sparked discussions about the ethical use of AI and the importance of proper acknowledgment in academic work. While some have raised concerns about the lack of attribution, NESA’s reassurance that students will be marked based on their responses to the content provides clarity and guidance. By requiring students to complete an anti-plagiarism module that includes lessons on AI ethics, NESA aims to promote academic integrity and responsible use of technology. As students prepare for the mathematics papers in the upcoming week, they will have the opportunity to engage with AI in an educational context, providing valuable experience for their future endeavors.
