New Study Finds AI Inflating Student Grades in Writing and Coding Courses

A recent study from UC Berkeley analyzed over 500,000 student grades at a large public research university in Texas, revealing a significant spike in grades in courses with high writing and coding assignments since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. Homework grades are driving this increase, not exam scores, and the study suggests that AI is replacing student work rather than improving learning. This raises concerns about the value of college grades as a signal of student achievement. Why it matters: If AI-generated grades become the norm, it could lead to a watering down of the meaning behind college grades, making it harder for employers and graduate programs to accurately assess a student’s skills and abilities.