Dual Role of AI in Academic Dishonesty and Integrity Management in the Institutions of Higher Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
Main Article Content
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Academic Integrity, Academic Dishonesty, Higher Education, Sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational systems has transformed higher education globally, including in Africa. The use of AI for both enhancing academic integrity and mitigating dishonesty is an emerging area of focus for institutions in the region, requiring careful attention and thoughtful implementation. Therefore, this paper reviewed the dual role of AI in academic dishonesty and integrity management in the institutions of higher learning in Sub-Saharan Africa. The review was conducted using databases from Web of Science, Research gate, AJOL, Science Direct, DOAJ and Google Scholar in English. The search focused exclusively on studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, with no time limitations applied. Evidence indicates that academic dishonesty remains prevalent in Sub-Saharan African higher education, driven by access to digital tools, systemic corruption, institutional weaknesses, and students' pressure to achieve good grades. Evidence indicates that AI-based technologies are contributing to both the enhancement and erosion of academic integrity in higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. AI-powered tools, such as content generation platforms, have made it easier for students to bypass traditional academic assessment methods, leading to an increase in plagiarism and cheating. This has raised concerns among academic institutions, as it complicates the ability to evaluate students' genuine understanding and intellectual capabilities. On the other hand, plagiarism detection and proctoring powered by AI have been able to discourage academic dishonesty to some extent. In light of this dual function of AI, or perhaps curse, it is required that universities in Sub-Saharan Africa should invest in infrastructure and training for AI tools, implement AI-powered plagiarism detection and proctoring systems and establish academic integrity policies to address AI-related risks, promoting responsible use and enhancing digital literacy among students and staff.
References
Abel, J. (2021). Graduate Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of Academic Dishonesty in the Selected Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, The Open University of Tanzania)
Abel, J., Sima, R., & Shavega, T. (2020). The intensity of academic dishonesty among postgraduate students in higher learning institutions in Tanzania and how to curb the situation. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational Sciences Vol, 8(9).
Akazue, M. I., & Ajenaghughrure, I. B. (2016). Virtual examination supervision system for Nigerian universities. International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science, 8(9), 43.
Akello J., (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Kenya. Paradigm Initiative. https://paradigmhq.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Artificial-Inteligence-in-Kenya-1.pdf
Al-Abdullah, A., & Hassan, L. (2023). Factors Determining the Success and Failure of EdTech Initiatives in Rural Academic Institutions. AI, IoT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Review, 13(7), 47-60.
Al-harbi, N. K., & Al-shargabi, A. A. (2023). An Exploratory Analysis of using Chatbots in Academia. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science & Applications, 14(12).
Alowais, S. A., Alghamdi, S. S., Alsuhebany, N., Alqahtani, T., Alshaya, A. I., Almohareb, S. N., ... & Albekairy, A. M. (2023). Revolutionizing healthcare: the role of artificial intelligence in clinical practice. BMC medical education, 23(1),
689.
Alrawashdeh, G. S. (2023). Personalized and adaptive learning technology for early grade reading: Evidence from MENA (Doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).
Ardito, C. G. (2023). Contra generative AI detection in higher education assessments. arXiv preprint arXiv:2312.05241.
Awdry, R. (2021). Assignment outsourcing: Moving beyond contract cheating. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(2), 220-235.
Bitrus-Ojiambo, U. A., Mwangi, S. W., & Mwaura, I. W. (2022). Globalizing Academic Dishonesty: Western Media Frames of Contract Cheating by Kenyan Graduates (Got Posho?). African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 15-35.
Bosch, T., Jordaan, M., Mwaura, J., Nkoala, S., Schoon, A., Smit, A., ... & Mare, A. (2023). South African university students’ use of AI-powered tools for engaged learning. Available at SSRN 4595655.
Bretag, T., Harper, R., Burton, M., Ellis, C., Newton, P., Rozenberg, P., ... & van Haeringen, K. (2019). Contract cheating: A survey of Australian university students. Studies in higher education, 44(11), 1837-1856.
Cai, Z., Liu, L., Chen, B., & Wang, Y. (2021). Artificial Intelligence: From Beginning to Date.
Chatterjee, R. (2020). Fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence and its applications. Journal of Mathematical Problems, Equations and Statistics, 1(2), 13-24.
Chaurasia, A. (2023). Algorithmic precision medicine: Harnessing artificial intelligence for healthcare optimization. Asian Journal of Biotechnology and Bioresource Technology, 9(4), 28-43.
Chemir, S. (2019). Academic Dishonesty among Higher Education Students in Ethiopia: An Article Review. The Ethiopian Journal of Higher Education, 6(1), 91-122.
Chen, L., Chen, P., & Lin, Z. (2020). Artificial intelligence in education: A review. Ieee Access, 8, 75264-75278.
Chireshe, R. (2014). Academic dishonesty: Zimbabwe university lecturers' and students' views. South African Journal
of Higher Education, 28(1), 45-59.
Chisom, O. N., Unachukwu, C. C., & Osawaru, B. (2023). Review of AI in education: transforming learning environments in Africa. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 5(10), 637-654.
Chivunga, M., & Tempest, A. (2022). Digital disruption in Africa: Mapping innovations for the AfCFTA in post-COVID times. South African Institute of International Affairs..
Cortinhas, C., & Deak, S. (2023). Prevention and detection of plagiarism in higher education: Paper mills, online assessments and AI. In The handbook for economic lecturers. The Economics Network.
Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence in higher education: the state of the field. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 22.
Devine, C. A., & Chin, E. D. (2018). Integrity in nursing students: A concept analysis. Nurse education today, 60, 133-138.
Finchilescu, G., & Cooper, A. (2018). Perceptions of academic dishonesty in a South African university: A Q-methodology approach. Ethics & Behavior, 28(4), 284-301.
Foltýnek, T., Meuschke, N., & Gipp, B. (2019). Academic plagiarism detection: a systematic literature review. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 52(6), 1-42.
Fomunyam, D. K. G. (2021). Theorising machine learning as an alternative pathway for higher education in Africa.
Forgas, R. C., Lancaster, T., Marín, E. C., & Garma, C. T. (2023). Automatic paraphrasing tools: an unexpected consequence of addressing student plagiarism and the impact of COVID in distance education settings. Práxis Educativa, 18.
Garfinkel, S. L., & Grunspan, R. H. (2019). The computer book: From the abacus to artificial intelligence, 250 milestones in the history of computer science. Union Square & Co.
Gligorea, I., Cioca, M., Oancea, R., Gorski, A. T., Gorski, H., & Tudorache, P. (2023). Adaptive learning using artificial intelligence in e-learning: a literature review. Education Sciences, 13(12), 1216.
Gow, S. (2018). Epistemological obstacles to academic integrity: Mainland Chinese students’ perceptions of studying in the UK through the Habermasian lens (Doctoral dissertation, University of York).
Guerrero-Dib, J. G., Portales, L., & Heredia-Escorza, Y. (2020). Impact of academic integrity on workplace ethical behaviour. International Journal for Educational Integrity, 16(1), 2.
Gummadi, J. C. S., Thompson, C. R., Boinapalli, N. R., Talla, R. R., & Narsina, D. (2021). Robotics and Algorithmic Trading: A New Era in Stock Market Trend Analysis. Global Disclosure of Economics and Business, 10(2), 129-140.
Hallur, G. G., Prabhu, S., & Aslekar, A. (2021). Entertainment in era of AI, big data & IoT. Digital Entertainment: The Next Evolution in Service Sector, 87-109.
Halupa, C. (2023). ALGIARISM: Artificial intelligence-assisted plagiarism. In EDULEARN23 proceedings (pp. 1018-1024). IATED.
Hill, G., Mason, J., & Dunn, A. (2021). Contract cheating: an increasing challenge for global academic community arising from COVID-19. Research and practice in technology enhanced learning, 16(1), 24.
Holmes, W., & Miao, F. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. UNESCO Publishing.
Juju, D., Baffoe, G., Dam Lam, R., Karanja, A., Naidoo, M., Ahmed, A., ... & Gasparatos, A. (2020). Sustainability challenges in sub-Saharan Africa in the context of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Sustainability Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa I: Continental Perspectives and Insights from Western and Central Africa, 3-50.
Kakyo, B. (2018). Challenges of Academic dishonesty in Universities: a case study of Kampala International University.
Kolhar, M., & Alameen, A. (2021). University learning with anti-plagiarism systems. Accountability in Research, 28(4), 226-246.
Kolluru, V., Mungara, S., & Chintakunta, A. N. (2018). Adaptive learning systems: Harnessing AI for customized educational experiences. International Journal of Computational Science and Information Technology, 6(3), 10-5121.
Lancaster, T. (2020). Academic discipline integration by contract cheating services and essay mills. Journal of Academic Ethics, 18(2), 115-127.
Lee, J. (2020). Access to finance for artificial intelligence regulation in the financial services industry. European Business Organization Law Review, 21(4), 731-757.
Lubinga, S., Ramnarain, J., & Tonkin, L. (2023). Quandaries of contract cheating in South African higher education institutions: the way forward. South African Journal of Higher Education, 37(6), 239-254.
Mahabeer, P., & Pirtheepal, T. (2019). Assessment, plagiarism and its effect on academic integrity: Experiences of academics at a university in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 115(11-12), 1-8.
Manduku, J., Gichaba, A. K., Ruto, S., & Oloo, P. (2021). Academic Dishonesty Among Undergraduate Students At One University In Kenya. Causes And Mitigations.
McCabe, D. L., Butterfield, K. D., & Trevino, L. K. (2012). Cheating in college: Why students do it and what educators can do about it. JHU Press.
Mogavi, R. H., Deng, C., Kim, J. J., Zhou, P., Kwon, Y. D., Metwally, A. H. S., ... & Hui, P. (2023). Exploring user perspectives on chatgpt: Applications, perceptions, and implications for ai-integrated education. arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.13114.
Mokomane, R. B. (2024). Restorative Justice as an Alternative Response to Student Academic Dishonesty in South African Higher Education Institutions. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (PELJ), 27(1), 1-35.
Mugala, A., Masaiti, G., & Mwila, K. (2022). Unpacking academic corruption in Zambia’s higher education: Forms, causes and mitigation measures. Creative Education, 13(1), 55-74.
Mugala, A., Masaiti, G., & Mwila, K. (2022). Unpacking academic corruption in Zambia’s higher education: Forms, causes and mitigation measures. Creative Education, 13(1), 55-74.
Mulongo, M. A. (2020). Effectiveness Of University Examinations Management Strategies In Mitigating Examination Malpractices In Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Karatina University).
Munir, H., Vogel, B., & Jacobsson, A. (2022). Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches in digital education: A systematic revision. Information, 13(4), 203.
Murumba, J., & Alari, J. O. (2023). An Evaluation of Academic Integrity and Sustainable Quality Education in Higher Learning Institutions in Kenya: Students’ Perspectives. Kabarak Journal of Research & Innovation, 13(4), 81-94.
Mutiso, D. K. (2019). Postgraduate Students Perception And Attitude On Antiplagiarism Software Use To Control Plagiarism In Jkuat And United States International University-Africa, Kenya.
Mwamwenda, T. S. (2012). Maintaining academic integrity among East African university students. Africa Education Review, 9(3), 452-465.
Newton, P. M. (2018, August). How common is commercial contract cheating in higher education and is it increasing? A systematic review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 3, p. 67). Frontiers Media SA.
Nikolic, S., Daniel, S., Haque, R., Belkina, M., Hassan, G. M., Grundy, S., ... & Sandison, C. (2023). ChatGPT versus engineering education assessment: a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional benchmarking and analysis of this
generative artificial intelligence tool to investigate assessment integrity. European Journal of Engineering Education,
48(4), 559-614.
Nilsson, N. J. (2009). The quest for artificial intelligence. Cambridge University Press.
Ogenga, D. O. (2015). Adoption of Institutional repositories in dissemination of scholarly information in Universities in Kenya with reference to United States International University Africa (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Olutola, F. O. (2016). Towards a more enduring prevention of scholarly plagiarism among university students in Nigeria. African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, 9(1), 7.
Oluwadiya, K. S., Adeoti, A. O., Agodirin, S. O., Nottidge, T. E., Usman, M. I., Gali, M. B., ... & Zakari, L. Y. U. (2023). Exploring artificial intelligence in the Nigerian medical educational space: An online cross-sectional study of perceptions, risks and benefits among students and lecturers from ten universities. Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal, 30(4), 285-292.
Orok, E., Adeniyi, F., Williams, T., Dosunmu, O., Ikpe, F., Orakwe, C., & Kukoyi, O. (2023). Causes and mitigation of academic dishonesty among healthcare students in a Nigerian university. International Journal for Educational Integrity, 19(1), 13.
Osumah, O. A., & Samuel, O. (2023, November). Issues Of Bureaucratic Corruption In Nigerian Universities. In Proceedings.
Reguig, Y., & Mouffok, A. I. (2023). Comparative Analysis of Current Word Processing Applications That Use Artificial
Intelligence Case of Study: The Use of Grammarly and Quillbot Amongst Third Year BA Students at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret (Doctoral dissertation, Université IBN KHALDOUN-Tiaret).
Sampene, A. K., Agyeman, F. O., Robert, B., & Wiredu, J. (2022). Artificial intelligence as a path way to Africa's transformations. Artificial Intelligence, 9(1).
Semmler, S., & Rose, Z. (2017). Artificial intelligence: Application today and implications tomorrow. Duke L. & Tech. Rev., 16, 85.
Shukla Shubhendu, S., & Vijay, J. (2013). Applicability of artificial intelligence in different fields of life. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Research, 1(1), 28-35.
Signé, L. (2023). Africa's Fourth Industrial Revolution. Cambridge University Press.
Stahl, M. L. (2017). Chinese students in United States high schools. State University of New York at Buffalo.
Sutherland-Smith, W. (2008). Plagiarism, the Internet, and student learning: Improving academic integrity. Routledge.
Ubaka, C., Fajemirokun, G., Nduka, S., & Ezenwanne, N. (2013). Academic dishonesty among Nigeria pharmacy students: A comparison with United Kingdom.
Umezuruike, C., & Ngugi, H. N. (2020). Imminent challenges of adoption of big data in educational systems in sub-saharan Africa nations. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 8(5), 4544-4550.
UNESCO, 2024. Use of AI in education: Deciding on the future we want. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/use-ai-education-deciding-future-we-want
van Assen, M., Muscogiuri, E., Tessarin, G., & De Cecco, C. N. (2022). Artificial intelligence: A century-old story. In Artificial Intelligence in Cardiothoracic Imaging (pp. 3-13). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Wang, X., Yin, N., & Zhang, Z. (2021). Smart design of intelligent companion toys for preschool children. AI EDAM, 35(2), 151-164.
Xu, Y., & Li, W. (2023). The causes and prevention of commercial contract cheating in the era of digital education: A systematic & critical review. Journal of Academic Ethics, 21(2), 303-321.