Grammarly has become a ubiquitous tool for students and professionals alike, promising to refine writing and enhance clarity. However, a recent Reddit thread on the r/WGU subreddit has sparked a debate about its potential downsides, particularly regarding the detection of "AI-generated content." This article delves into the concerns raised by Western Governors University (WGU) students and others about Grammarly's impact on original writing and the potential for false AI detection.
Grammarly aims to assist users in improving their writing by suggesting edits related to grammar, punctuation, style, and clarity. For many, it's a valuable tool for catching errors and refining prose. However, the r/WGU thread highlights a growing concern: that Grammarly's suggestions can inadvertently lead to original writing being flagged as AI-generated.
One Reddit user, Chadmium, shared their experience: after accepting Grammarly's suggestions on a Performance Assessment (PA) for a WGU course, the paper was flagged as 73% AI-generated by a plagiarism checker. This occurred despite the user writing the content entirely from scratch. Upon undoing Grammarly's edits, the same paper was detected as 0% AI-generated, confirming its original, human-written nature.
The issue arises from how Grammarly influences writing style. While aiming for clarity and conciseness, Grammarly often pushes for a more formal and "correct" tone. This can lead to:
For students at WGU and other institutions, this poses a significant problem. The fear is that turning in assignments that have been "Grammarly-ized" will result in accusations of academic dishonesty, even when the work is entirely original. This also increases the potential that a student may need to prove that the work entirely belongs to them.
If you are an aspiring student pursuing higher education, it is also important to consider some tips on how to ensure that Grammarly does not over influence you.
The Grammarly controversy raises larger questions about the reliability and fairness of AI detection tools and the impact of AI on academia and professional writing. As AI writing tools become more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate between human-written and AI-generated content.
This calls for a more nuanced approach to academic integrity, one that focuses on fostering original thought and critical thinking rather than relying solely on AI detection software. Educators and institutions need to engage in open conversations about the ethical use of AI tools and develop policies that support student learning while upholding academic standards.
