ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF USING AI IN ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Abstract

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and applications in composing academic papers is becoming rampant. The problem is not the usage but the unethical use. This paper, therefore, examined the ethical implications of AI use in academic writing, defined their scope, outlined a clear methodological approach, and explained the relevance of the inquiry for contemporary scholarship. The paper adopted the descriptive and qualitative methods. Recent academic works on the use of AI were analysed in order to identify recurring ethical themes and areas of ongoing debate. The findings show that many are depending on AI to compose academic writings. Sometimes, AI gives biased, false, and unreliable information. Also, over-dependence on and the misuse of these tools can encourage or result in plagiarism, superficial analysis, and intellectual laziness. The paper recommends that schools should develop relevant policies on the use of AI. Also, school administrators and educationists should often organise seminars where students are taught effective and ethical use of AI. Finally, the paper concludes by noting that AI should not be eliminated from academics. Rather, its use should be transparent, ethical, and supportive of meaningful teaching and learning.