Brown University economics professor Roberto Serrano has accused the Ivy League institution of failing to adequately address a massive AI cheating scandal in his course. Serrano detailed the allegations in an op-ed for The Free Press, describing a significant discrepancy in student performance after exams were moved online.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
Serrano reported that after shifting his midterm and final exams to an online, take-home format due to a campus shooting in December, enrollment in his course surged from a previous high of 30 to 86 students. The average midterm grade skyrocketed to 96, with 40 students achieving perfect scores, which Serrano attributed to AI assistance, particularly ChatGPT. He noted that answers resembled AI-generated responses.
In response, Serrano voided the midterm scores and reverted to an in-person final exam. Only 59 students took the final, with an average grade of 48.6. Of the 27 students who dropped the course, 22 had scored perfectly on the midterm.
Deeper Dive & Context
Serrano claimed he provided evidence to Brown University’s Committee on the Academic Code and The Brown Daily Herald, which had previously reported on campus-wide cheating in April. However, he stated he received no acknowledgment from the university until the story went viral last month. He criticized academia’s role in upholding truth, writing, 'We cannot afford to tolerate...'
University Response & Broader Implications
Brown University has not publicly commented on Serrano’s allegations. The incident highlights growing concerns about AI-assisted academic dishonesty and institutional responses to such challenges. Serrano’s case raises questions about enforcement mechanisms and whether universities are equipped to address emerging technological threats to academic integrity.
Diverse Perspectives
While Serrano’s op-ed emphasizes the university’s inaction, other faculty members have expressed concerns about AI dependency in education, with surveys suggesting 95% of faculty believe AI is making students overly reliant on technology. Some institutions have responded with bans on laptops and phones in certain courses, though Brown has not implemented such measures.