Indigenous Students Attempt AI-Assisted University Entrance at NNU
In the educational landscape of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, a significant event unfolded recently. Over 3000 participants took part in a retake of the Unified State Exam in July, with the focus on the subject of sociology.
However, the news headlines were not just about the exam itself but an intriguing development that caught the attention of the university's admissions committee. Reports indicate that some applicants attempted to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their entrance essays at NNGU.
The use of AI in essay writing has been a topic of debate globally, with concerns about authenticity and fairness. AI tools can be helpful for ideation, editing, and polishing drafts, but generating entire essays risks undermining the personal authenticity that admissions essays aim to capture.
In the case of Nizhny Novgorod, the university's admissions committee recognised formulaic phrases and unnatural phrasing in the suspicious works, leading them to suspect AI use. The committee, diligent in their task, took immediate action to address this issue.
The retake exam for the Unified State Exam, unrelated to the AI controversy, took place on specific dates, July 3 and 4. The news of the retake exam and the AI investigation at NNGU made headlines, sparking discussions about the role of AI in education and the importance of maintaining authenticity in admissions processes.
As universities worldwide grapple with the implications of AI in essay writing, it is clear that the admissions committee at NNGU is taking a proactive approach to ensure fairness and authenticity in their selection process. They are currently checking suspicious works during additional expertise, a testament to their commitment to upholding the integrity of the admissions process.
In the broader context, the use of AI in essay writing reflects a global trend, with one in three applicants in recent years using AI to write part or all of their college essays. This trend has led many universities to reconsider the role and weight of essays in admissions, as the use of AI can make essays more polished and coherent but may also erode the distinctive personal growth narratives that admissions officers value.
From an admissions perspective, AI can be a double-edged sword. When integrated thoughtfully, AI can assist admission officers by scanning applications for inconsistencies and patterns, helping to uphold fairness by anonymizing demographic identifiers and highlighting applications for deeper human review. However, there is a risk that AI systems—which depend on past data—can perpetuate biases unless closely monitored.
In conclusion, while AI can be an effective support tool in writing entrance essays, it poses challenges to authenticity and fairness, prompting universities—including potentially those in Nizhny Novgorod—to adapt their admissions practices accordingly. The ongoing investigation at NNGU serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the admissions process in the face of technological advancements.
I'm not gonna do this, but the allure of using artificial intelligence in crafting entrance essays is becoming increasingly tempting for some applicants, as demonstrated by the recent AI investigation at Nizhny Novgorod University (NNGU). Despite the potential benefits of AI, such as enhanced polish and coherence, its use raises concerns about authenticity and fairness in the admissions process.
