22-05-2025
Illinois Limits Colleges' Use of ChatGPT
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Illinois lawmakers are seeking to limit the use of artificial intelligence at community colleges in the state.
In a 46-12 vote, the Illinois Senate approved a bill that would bar community colleges from using artificial intelligence instead of human instructors to teach classes, the Capitol News Illinois reported on Thursday.
Why It Matters
The advent of artificial intelligence chatbots such as ChatGPT raised concerns at schools and colleges across the country about how easy it is for students to cheat. Some schools have forbidden the use of AI.
But some colleges and professors have turned to AI to help teach classes. The New York Times recently reported that a student at Northeastern University demanded a refund on tuition fees after discovering her professor used ChatGPT to produce lecture notes for a class.
Google Gemini, OpenAI ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot app icons are seen on a screen.
Google Gemini, OpenAI ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot app icons are seen on a To Know
House Bill 1859 amends the Public Community College Act so that "each board of trustees of a community college district shall require the faculty member who teaches a course to be an individual who meets the qualifications in the Illinois Administrative Code and any other applicable rules adopted by the Illinois Community College Board," according to a summary.
It does not prohibit faculty members from "using artificial intelligent to augment course instruction," the summary says.
But it prohibits colleges from using AI "as the sole source of instruction for students" in lieu of a faculty member.
Some Republicans opposed the measure, arguing that it restricts the ability of local community college boards to offer courses in subjects where qualified human instructors are scarce, the Capitol News Illinois reported.
State Senator Mike Porfirio, a Democrat and the bill's top sponsor in the Senate, said it was protecting the interests of students and human instructors.
What People Are Saying
State Senator Sue Rezin, a Republican, said, per the Capitol News Illinois: "I'm concerned that this bill will take local control away from the community college to be able to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students."
State Senator Mike Porfirio said, according to the news site: "I think if anything we're guaranteeing that our students receive proper instruction and also that we acknowledge the role that instructors, faculty, staff play in students' lives."
What's Next
The bill returns to the Illinois House, which has to approve an amendment made in the state Senate before it can be sent to Governor JB Pritzker to be signed into law.
