Latest news with #EllaStapleton
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'He's Telling Us Not To Use AI — Then Using It Himself': Student Demands $8,000 Tuition Refund After Discovering Professor's ChatGPT Use
A college senior's frustration over her professor's behind-the-scenes use of artificial intelligence has sparked debate about transparency, fairness, and the changing dynamics of higher education in the age of ChatGPT. Ella Stapleton, a business major at Northeastern University, noticed something unusual in her professor's lecture materials. The notes included strange errors, a reference to "ChatGPT" in the bibliography, and AI-generated images that appeared distorted — some even showing people with extra limbs. Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. That was enough to prompt Stapleton to dig deeper. When she confirmed that her professor had been using AI tools without informing students, she filed a formal complaint and requested a tuition refund of more than $8,000 — the amount she paid for the course. "He's telling us not to use it, and then he's using it himself," Stapleton told The New York Times, referring to what she viewed as a double standard. The professor, Rick Arrowood, admitted to using several AI platforms to help develop his lecture materials, including ChatGPT, the AI search engine Perplexity, and presentation generator Gamma. He told the Times that he now realizes he should have taken a closer look at the materials before sharing them with students. "In hindsight...I wish I would have looked at it more closely," Arrowood said. He added that professors should be transparent about AI use and thoughtful about how it's integrated into teaching. "If my experience can be something people can learn from, then, OK, that's my happy spot." After a series of meetings, Northeastern University decided not to approve Stapleton's refund request. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — In a statement to Fortune, Northeastern Vice President for Communications Renata Nyul said the university supports the use of AI to improve teaching, research, and operations. However, the school expects responsible use: "The university provides an abundance of resources to support the appropriate use of AI and continues to update and enforce relevant policies enterprise-wide." Northeastern's policy requires both students and faculty to provide proper attribution when using AI-generated content in any submitted work. It also emphasizes the importance of checking AI output for accuracy. The situation highlights a shift in the conversation around AI in education. Early concerns focused on students using generative AI to shortcut their assignments. Now, it's students who are raising flags about how professors are using the same from a Tyton Partners survey shows that students are still leading the charge in AI adoption. About 59% of students reported using generative AI tools regularly, compared to roughly 40% of instructors and administrators. But the student backlash at Northeastern shows that it's not just about access or usage — it's about trust. Students are beginning to question what they're paying for and whether professors are delivering on the promise of a human-led learning experience. As colleges continue to explore how AI fits into the classroom, the question may no longer be whether AI should be used, but how transparently and responsibly it should be integrated. Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'He's Telling Us Not To Use AI — Then Using It Himself': Student Demands $8,000 Tuition Refund After Discovering Professor's ChatGPT Use originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
ChatGPT Adds PDF Download Option for Deep Research Reports
In a welcome update for users, OpenAI has introduced a PDF download feature for Deep Research reports in ChatGPT, making it easier to save and share long-form AI-generated research without losing formatting. The feature is designed to address a persistent user complaint: that copying and pasting the research into other applications often distorted its layout. With the new functionality, users can now export reports as PDFs directly from the platform, ensuring that formatting and structure remain intact. What is Deep Research? Deep Research is a tool within ChatGPT that allows users to conduct multi-step investigations on complex topics. It works by scouring hundreds of sources on the internet and summarizing the information in a detailed report within minutes—work that might take a human several hours to compile manually. Until now, the only way to extract the report was to copy and paste the text, which disrupted formatting. The new download option changes that, offering a polished, professional-looking document for offline reading, printing, or sharing. How to Download Deep Research Reports as PDFs The update was first noticed by a user on X (formerly Twitter), and is now fully available on the web version of ChatGPT. After generating a Deep Research report, users can simply: • Click the share icon in the upper right corner of the report, • Select 'Download as PDF' from the dropdown menu, • Save the file to their device. This added convenience is now accessible to all ChatGPT users, regardless of their subscription tier—including Free, Plus, Team, Pro, Enterprise, and Edu plans. OpenAI confirmed the feature's rollout on May 17. Alongside the PDF feature, OpenAI also introduced a GitHub connector for Deep Research, allowing developers to integrate research tasks directly with GitHub projects, further expanding the tool's utility. Meanwhile, an AI Controversy at Northeastern University In separate news, a Northeastern University professor is facing criticism for relying on ChatGPT and other AI tools to prepare classroom materials, while discouraging students from doing the same. Ella Stapleton, a business student, spotted strange images and errors in class notes, some directly referencing ChatGPT. She filed a complaint and requested a tuition refund, which the university denied. Professor Rick Arrowood admitted using ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gamma, but added, 'In hindsight, I wish I would have looked at it more closely.' He acknowledged he should have reviewed the AI-generated content more thoroughly.
Evening Standard
19-05-2025
- Science
- Evening Standard
US student seeks college refund after she spotted her teacher was using ChatGPT
In February, Ella Stapleton was going over her organisational behaviour class lecture notes when she came across a directive addressed to ChatGPT. The New York Times claims that the content used expressions like 'expand on all areas' and displayed typical indicators of artificial intelligence-generated content, including clumsy wording, warped visuals, and even errors that resembled machine output.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
ChatGPT now lets you download Deep Research reports as PDFs - here's how
OpenAI has introduced a feature for ChatGPT users which now lets them download Deep Research reports as PDF files and make it easier to save and share detailed findings. This update comes after users faced issues with copying reports, which often ruined the original layout and formatting. What is Deep Research Deep Research is a feature that helps users conduct multi-step investigations on complex topics. When you enter a prompt, ChatGPT searches through hundreds of websites and compiles the information into a single report. This process takes minutes, compared to the hours it might take a person to do the same work manually. Also read: Scammers steal over Rs. 11.55 crore from bank accounts after hacking mobile number Previously, users could only copy the report text, but pasting it elsewhere disrupted the formatting. The new PDF download option maintains the report's structure and makes it more convenient for saving or printing. Steps to Download Deep Research as a PDF A user on X first noticed the rollout of this feature. It is now live on the web version of ChatGPT. After generating a Deep Research report, users will see an option to export it as a PDF. This allows for easier sharing and archiving without altering the format. Also read: Google renames Find My Device to Find Hub: What's new, and why Android trackers still need work To download a Deep Research report as a PDF, follow these steps: Click the share icon in the upper right corner of the Deep Research report Select 'Download as PDF' from the menu Tap to save the file on your device Feature Now Available for All ChatGPT Users On May 17, OpenAI confirmed the rollout of the feature for all users. It is available across ChatGPT's free and paid plans, including ChatGPT Plus, Team, Pro, Enterprise, and Edu. Alongside this update, OpenAI also announced the launch of a GitHub connector for Deep Research. Also read: How to quietly limit someone on Instagram without blocking, unfollowing, or causing drama Professor Faces Backlash for AI Use in Class In other news, a controversy has arisen at Northeastern University involving a professor who used ChatGPT to prepare lecture notes while advising students not to rely on AI tools. Business student Ella Stapleton spotted errors and odd images in the lecture materials, including a direct reference to ChatGPT. She raised concerns with the university and requested a tuition refund, but the school denied her claim after several meetings. Professor Rick Arrowood admitted to using AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gamma to create lectures, saying he reviewed the content but missed some AI-generated mistakes. Speaking to The New York Times, he said, 'In hindsight, I wish I would have looked at it more closely.' He expressed regret for not examining the materials more closely. First Published Date: 19 May, 16:44 IST
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Newsweek
College Students Want Their Money Back After Professor Caught Using ChatGPT
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A student at Northeastern University has called for her tuition fees to be refunded after she discovered that one of her professors was using ChatGPT to respond to her work. The professor asked the chatbot to create some "really nice feedback" for the student, despite many in the education sector calling on students to stop using artificial intelligence for work, according to a report from The New York Times. Why It Matters As artificial intelligence becomes more and more prevalent in the education system, the double standard in AI use between faculty and students is being challenged. Normally, it's the students who are being criticized for using generative AI on assignments, but this latest incident has shown that professors are not infallible either. What To Know In February, Ella Stapleton, a senior at Northeastern University's business school, noticed that her assignment notes from her professor appeared to include direct queries from a conversation with ChatGPT. One prompt in the notes read, "expand on all areas. Be more detailed and specific," followed by descriptions and bullet points typical of AI-generated text, according to The New York Times. Other class materials included distorted images, misspelled text, and other prompts, all of which are clear signs of AI usage. However, Stapleton's business major explicitly ruled out the use of unauthorized AI and other "academically dishonest activities," leading Stapleton to file a formal complaint against the professor. Weber Arch and University Hall at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, April 2016. Weber Arch and University Hall at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, April 2016. Getty Images It's not the first time AI has had growing pains when introduced to the education system. A report from January this year revealed that almost 90 percent of academics believe the majority of their students use AI regularly, with generative AI being the most common. C. Edward Watson, vice president for digital innovation at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, described the breakthroughs in Large Language Models (LLMS), which includes generative interfaces like ChatGPT, as an "inflection point" in U.S. education, warning: "The challenge now is turning today's disruption into tomorrow's innovation in teaching and learning" What People Are Saying Lee Rainie, director of Elon University's Imagining the Digital Future Center, said in a report on academic reactions to the use of AI: "The overall takeaway from these leaders is that they are working to make sense of the changes they confront and looking over the horizon at a new AI-infused world they think will be better for almost everyone in higher education. "They clearly feel some urgency to effect change, and they hope the grand reward is revitalized institutions that serve their students and civilization well." What Happens Next Academic institutions are still deciding on the best way to approach AI being used by both students and staff, while the technology itself continues to reach new developments.
