The case highlights the challenges universities face in dealing with AI in an academic context, often resulting in mixed messaging and ad hoc rule-making. Despite the university's initial support and promotion of Eightball, it later took action against the students, allegedly due to concerns from the university's IT department about the tool's connection to the Canvas software platform. The Honor Council recommended a year's suspension for the students, despite finding no evidence of cheating or dishonesty. The case is seen as evidence of universities' lack of preparedness to handle issues involving AI.
Key takeaways:
- The student cofounders of an AI studying tool, Eightball, were suspended by Emory University for a semester for building the tool that the school had given them money to build, citing that it could be used for cheating.
- The school’s Honor Council did not find evidence that the tool was ever used to cheat, and the suspension has led to a lawsuit filed by one of the students against the university.
- The case highlights the lack of understanding and preparedness of schools and universities in dealing with AI in an academic context, often leading to rules being made up on the fly.
- Despite the suspension and investigation, Emory University continues to advertise Eightball as an example of student innovation and entrepreneurship.