Recent analysis shows that nearly one in five higher education writing submissions have 80% or more AI writing in them. The instinct across higher education is predictable: We see frantic calls for stricter AI detection, or some institutions rushing to ban AI tools altogether.
However, this reaction misses the point.
What we’ve seen is that students desperately want guidance when using AI in the writing process. They typically ask questions during the drafting stage: “Is my paper good?” or “How can I improve my paper?”
This isn’t students trying to shortcut learning, they’re trying to improve and grow. The best intentions are there: however we aren’t setting up students or educators for success.
Across higher education, faculty consistently tell us they need AI tools tailored for the classroom. Off-the-shelf solutions lack the granularity needed for different grade levels, disciplines, assignments, and feedback. That requires AI with an educational framework built in, not bolted on.
Education-native solutions are taking root. Decisions on AI implementation are being made by educators more so than IT administrators.
After all, educators best know the right solutions for their students. This shift is overdue. Yes, AI can be used to cheat. But the primary issue is a lack of skills in using AI to support learning integrity.
Beyond prompting
We assume younger generations naturally grasp new technologies more easily. However, that’s not the case with AI. We’ve found that when students write prompts, they ask vague questions like “Make this better” or “Is this good,” instead of specific requests like “Does my thesis clearly address the assignment requirements?”
They treat AI like a search engine, asking basic questions that produce generic or biased output.
Digital fluency does not equal AI competency. Students grew up using apps and navigating intuitive interfaces, but entering the workforce requires more than basic prompting skills.
AI tools demand a foundation of critical thinking and clear communications. The same traditional skill set educators have drilled into students since Socrates must now be applied to AI.
From prohibition to partnership
AI solutions alone can’t teach these skills. Controls and guardrails can promote smart, responsible AI use, but a curriculum is needed to nurture critical skills.
Ignoring AI or pretending students aren’t using it is no longer an option. The opportunity lies in teaching them to use AI in ways that support authentic learning.
This requires a fundamental shift from policing to partnership. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- AI assignments need clear, detailed direction. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to responsible AI use. When students misuse AI, it’s often not intentional. They’ll default into bad habits when it’s not made clear to them what is a good use of AI and what isn’t. When educators clearly outline acceptable use, such as, “students allowed to use AI for citation checks; but they’re not allowed to use AI to draft a thesis statement,” students have a clear pathway and are less likely to stray from it.
- Redesign assessments with AI in mind. Layer in critical reasoning, something AI can’t convincingly produce. Consider having students show the work that went into their thesis. That can be done by requiring drafts of their thought process or a section explaining how AI was used in that process. When students explain their reasoning, they’re exercising the right muscles.
- Teach responsible AI as an essential academic skill. AI is just a tool whose effectiveness depends on the skills needed to use it. Setting aside time with students to explain what AI can do and its limits allows for deeper engagement. Teach them how to critically evaluate AI outputs, how to go about validating the results, and an approach for refining them in their own voice, so when they enter the workforce they will be equipped with the AI skills they need.
- Prioritize understanding over surveillance. Reframe the AI conversation away from the negative. If students feel AI is being weaponized to catch them, they could respond in kind using AI as a shortcut to cheat. Show students that AI is not something to fear or avoid, but a tool they can legitimately lean on to become better, more successful learners.
AI gives students access to a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips: a far cry from the outdated, beaten-up textbooks of the past. Higher education has an opportunity with AI to produce a generation of the best and brightest thinkers the world has ever seen, and that requires an ethical framework on top of the technology.
When resources are paired with guidance and trust, students will rise to the challenge.
