Student aims to stop cheats using essay-writing bots with his own AI app

A student at the University of Bristol is aiming to stop cheating by using essay-writing bots with his own artificial intelligence (AI) app.

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Ed Daniels, 22, began developing software start-up AIED.UK after a project on his university course asked him to integrate AI with education.

The fourth-year student, who is studying film and television with innovation, said he felt the need to “protect the education system” when ChatGPT became popular.

Mr Daniels’ app uses AI to detect whether an essay has been generated by AI or not, which he calls “fighting fire with fire”.

I’ve seen a lot of online cheaters trying to figure out these detectors exist, and saying how can I avoid it, and I’ve been watching those videos and learning from it, I’m talking to the big companies. can be a little more nimble than

ed daniels

The motivation behind the software is to prevent inequality in academic settings, he said: “Currently the best model you have to pay for is £20 a month to get GPT 4 and it’s much better.” is, so that gives a real advantage to the wealthier students.

“It concerns me that some people may not have access to that stuff, so we need to level the playing field.”

Mr. Daniels said he sees AI as essential to all workplaces, and that since the university aims to prepare students for the world of work, they will eventually “give us access to AI technology, like they give us printer credit.” Are”.

Until then, he said he thinks of AIED.UK as a “transitional phase” to prevent cheating while universities adapt to new technologies.

Explaining how the software works, Mr Daniels said: “Computers are getting really good at noticing things so if I’m always saying the exact right words, chances are it’s a bot.

“Normal human writing and speaking don’t always use the most predictable word, so the technology in the app effectively notices that if it can predict what word is coming next, a bot probably wrote it.” “

As a student himself, Mr Daniels said he has been able to respond to hoax tactics on social media.

“I’ve seen a lot of cheaters online knowing these detectors, and saying how can I get it, and I’ve been watching those videos and learning from it, I’m a little bit higher than the big companies Can be nimble,” he said.

Mr Daniels said other students compared him to “the guy who gave the teachers homework”, as his aim was to prevent students from getting ahead by cheating.

But he said the criticism from fellow students didn’t bother him, adding: “I actually quite enjoy it because it lets me pretend to be the villain or something.”

Mr Daniels said his passion for coding started at a young age and he was banned from using school computers after students took screens and were led to believe they were haunted.

While the bulk of the work behind AIED.UK was carried out by Mr Daniels, he is supported by a grant from Runway, the University of Bristol’s student start-up incubator.

Mark Neill, Program Director of Runway, said: “When AIED.UK applied for innovation funding, our judges could see its potential.

“This is a fast-growing market, so we are keen to help Ed develop his skills and build on his exciting software.”

Kate Whittington, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Quality and Standards at the University of Bristol, said: “Ed’s software is really interesting, and we’re excited to see how it develops. One day it will be available to teachers all over the world.” might be useful.”