The future of academic writing in the age of generative AI

Abstract

The evolution of AI tools, such as ChatGPT and SciTE AI, has impacted academic writing by improving research output and simplifying tasks such as idea generation, drafting, and editing. While these tools offer benefits, such as supporting non-English speaking individuals and persons with disabilities, they increase concerns regarding academic integrity, critical thinking, and creativity. A dependence on GenAI can negatively impact cognitive engagement and the growth of critical analysis and problem-solving capacities. Furthermore, AI-generated content blurs the lines between originality and authorship, emphasizing ethical concerns about plagiarism and intellectual property. This panel will discuss ways educational institutions can address these issues by developing comprehensive guidelines to support transparency and accountability in ethical AI use. The potential of AI to improve accessibility should be considered along with concerns over equitable access, as not all individuals have the same opportunities to access high-quality AI tools. Balancing AI's benefits with risks is indispensable for its responsible integration into academic environments.