According to a recent survey from BestColleges, about half of the college students would agree that using AI tools – such as ChatGPT or Bard – constitutes cheating or plagiarism. But one in five are using AI anyway.
That’s not to say that all use of AI in education is negative. The advent of AI in education has brought about a paradigm shift in how knowledge is imparted and assessed. AI tools offer remarkable opportunities for personalized learning and efficiency.
The problem: AI also poses a significant challenge to the authenticity of academic work. Generative AI tools can easily complete assignments, solve complex mathematical problems, and write essays, raising concerns about academic dishonesty. And if students are using Chat GPT to write assignments, they aren’t absorbing the material. It’s a dead-end shortcut that is robbing students of real learning.
So how can we combat this?
Entrepreneur Paul Showemimo says that using AI to fight AI is the answer – and no, it’s not like fighting fire with fire. In fact, he has created an innovative platform with his new EdTech company EduReel to do exactly that.
“I came up with the concept for EduReel based on much of what I observed while earning my master’s degree at Hult International Business School,” Showemimo says. “It became clear to me that there’s a need to reconcile the burgeoning capabilities of AI with the foundational principles of academic integrity. AI-assisted cheating is a threat to education, so EduReel is ready to stand in the gap and provide educators with tools to ensure originality and authenticity in student assessments.”
Founder & CEO Paul Showemimo
How does it work? Showemimo explains that EduReel’s platform is designed to generate unique, AI-powered questions for assessments, which are tailor-made to challenge students beyond mere rote learning and encourage critical thinking. A key feature of EduReel is its requirement for on-the-spot video responses to these questions. This approach compels students to provide personalized, thoughtful answers, making it difficult for AI-generated content to pass off as original work.
Showemimo works with some of EdTech’s finest minds – Stephen Onwe, Constance Oshafi, and Togo Amano. He attributes much of his inspiration to Mary Dutkiewicz, the Senior Associate Dean of Hult Boston’ and Professor Daniel Deneffe, a strategy expert.
EduReel’s methodology is a direct response to the misuse of AI in academics. On-the-spot video responses will make it nearly impossible for students to rely solely on AI for their answers. “This is how we can preserve the essence of learning and understanding,” Constance Oshafi states. “This technique deters cheating, and it also promotes a deeper comprehension of the subject matter. This is how we use AI to fight AI – use it for the good and drown out the bad.”
She adds that the EduReel platform will also provide much-needed AI literacy to educators, helping them navigate the challenges of AI while also learning how to utilize it for their benefit. This will help educators incorporate AI in a positive, ethical manner in their teaching and assessment methods.
“I’ve launched other tech companies, and one thing I’ve learned about AI is that, in its place, it’s an incredibly versatile tool,” Showemimo elaborates. “Where AI shines is in automating mundane tasks. With EduReel, that means empowering educators by significantly reducing the time spent on grading and administrative tasks.”
EduReel upholds the authenticity of student work and the sanctity of the learning process. We live in the information age: data is abundant and accessible. But reciting data isn’t the same as learning. So EduReel emphasizes the value of original thought and understanding over memorization or AI-generated content. It provides educators with tools to combat AI plagiarism effectively and to create an academic environment that prioritizes integrity.
“Our goal is to harness AI as a solution, rather than allowing it to be a problem,” shares Founding Developer Stephen Onwe. “Instead of shying away from the challenges AI brings to academic honesty, we embrace it. EduReel reinforces the values of genuine scholarship. This approach demonstrates how AI when used correctly, can enhance rather than undermine the educational process.”
Paul Showemimo’s vision and leadership have been pivotal in the development of EduReel. His background in business and technology, coupled with his insights into the educational sector, has uniquely positioned him to address the challenges of AI in education. His goal is for EduReel to redefine the role of AI in academia. And he considers the platform to be a necessary adaptation for modern education to thrive in an AI-dominated landscape.
“AI can absolutely have a positive, constructive role in preserving academic integrity,” Showemimo states. “It just has to be used the right way. And that’s what we are promoting with EduReel.”
EduReel is answering AI with AI. It’s a huge leap forward in the fight against AI-powered cheating and dishonesty. EduReel uses AI to uphold the integrity of academia, addressing a pressing issue and charting a new path for how education can evolve with tech advancements. EduReel proves that AI, when used with foresight and responsibility, can be a powerful ally in maintaining the honesty and authenticity of academic endeavors.
Website: https://edureel.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edureel
Call EduReel: (877) 338-7335
Email: paul@edureel.ai
