UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) will host “Cheat-a-thon,” a competition that explores the benefits and pitfalls of using generative AI in academic environments. The virtual event will take place March 3-April 6.
The challenge is open to all faculty and students who are at least 18 years old and who have a valid ".edu" email address from a college or university based in the United States. The event is split into two stages:
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Stage 1 (March 3-23). University faculty can submit questions from their exams, projects or assignments that would be difficult for students to answer using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Questions can come from any subject at the undergraduate or graduate level. Along with each question they submit, faculty must provide the ideal answer that would get full points.
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Stage 2 (March 31-April 6). University students select a question submitted by faculty in Stage 1 and answer it exclusively with the help of generative AI. Students may not use other tools like online libraries, search engines or Wikipedia.
There is no limit to the number of questions and answers that faculty and students can submit.
Student responses will be compared to the answers provided by faculty and graded on correctness and creativity. The 10 students who submit the most correct answers based on the highest cumulative grades for their AI-generated answers will win cash prizes:
- 1st place = $1,000 (two winners)
- 2nd place = $750 (two winners)
- 3rd place = $500 (one winner)
- Consolation = $200 (five winners)
Five $1,000 prizes will be awarded to faculty who submitted questions in Stage 1 that proved to be the most difficult for students to answer. Question difficulty will be assessed by the lowest average grade received by students.
Generative AI tools are making tasks faster and easier to complete, but they can also amplify inequalities, spread misinformation and present serious risks. Identifying these strengths and dangers can help university faculty and students use generative AI in safe and ethical ways without compromising academic integrity.
Launched in 2020, the Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence, promotes high-impact, transformative AI research and development, while encouraging the consideration of social and ethical implications in all such efforts. It supports a broad range of activities from foundational research to the application of AI to all areas of human endeavor.
For questions about the event, visit the "Cheat-a-thon" website or contact Amulya Yadav, CSRAI associate director (programs), at auy212@psu.edu; or Bonam Mingole, CSRAI student affiliate, at bjm6940@psu.edu.