My Students Hate AI. But They Can't Stop Using It
College students express strong dislike for generative AI, yet many continue using it for assignments due to perceived academic pressures and efficiency gains. This contradiction highlights the tension between personal values and practical demands in higher education. The article explores reasons behind this behavior, including fear of falling behind and lack of clear institutional guidelines.
Background
A college professor describes a paradox among university students: they express strong moral and intellectual objections to generative AI (like ChatGPT), yet many secretly rely on it to complete assignments. The article reflects a growing tension in higher education — students feel pressure to use AI to keep up, but also fear it undermines their learning and devalues their degrees. The key background is that since ChatGPT launched in late 2022, educators have struggled to set clear policies, while students navigate conflicting signals: some professors ban AI, others encourage it, and many leave the rules ambiguous. The piece captures the guilt, hypocrisy, and anxiety this uncertainty creates among otherwise critical-minded students.