Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common at universities across the country, benefiting students but also raising concerns about plagiarism and dependency.
Several students at The University of Southern Mississippi said they appreciate the fast answers and guidance AI provides but don’t believe it should replace their work entirely.
USM student Alice Keats acknowledged the benefits of AI but emphasized the importance of personal creativity in academics.
“AI can be a source of good, but don’t fully depend on it,” Keats said. “A lot of institutions want to see students succeed within their own uniqueness, and I want to show my professors the real me.”
All public universities in Mississippi, including USM, are part of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network. The network provides resources to educate individuals about AI technologies. Community colleges and grade schools are also partnered with the organization, which aims to prepare the workforce through training programs.
Dr. Kelly Lester, associate provost for academic success at USM, said the university is developing an AI lab and plans to offer courses that show how AI is being used across the state, including courses on coding.
Currently, USM does not have a formal AI policy. The use of AI in the classroom is decided by individual faculty members.
“If I were to say we need a set-in-stone policy, there would be no room to hear other perspectives, opinions, and ideas,” Lester said. “We trust our faculty to make the best decision to guide each student to success.”
Students at USM generally support the idea that AI helps them tackle academic challenges. Many say it broadens their understanding of difficult assignments, though some admit that AI is sometimes misused to complete entire essays. Students are aware that professors can easily detect plagiarism.
“AI helps me understand my assignments, but a lot of people take advantage of it,” USM student Morgan Johnson said. “We need to be quick on our feet when we start our careers and not rely on AI, so I wish people could find a happy medium.”
As AI becomes a more prominent tool in education, universities are working to incorporate it effectively while addressing concerns about academic integrity. With resources like the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, students and faculty are gaining access to tools and training to use AI responsibly, shaping a new educational environment where technology and academic standards coexist.
