Blackboard vs. Turnitin: The Battle of AI Writing Detection

Quthor

·March 18, 2024

·9 min read

Blackboard vs. Turnitin: The Battle of AI Writing Detection — Image Source: unsplash

Understanding AI Writing and Detection

The rise of AI writing tools has revolutionized the way content is generated. With the introduction of advanced language models like ChatGPT and Quillbot, the landscape of content creation has been significantly transformed. These AI-generated tools have gained immense popularity, with a substantial 85.1% of users utilizing them for article writing and content creation.

However, this surge in AI-generated content has raised significant concerns regarding academic integrity. Statistics reveal that 9.6% of papers reported over 20% of AI-generated writing, while 3.5% reported between 80% and 100% of AI writing, indicating a substantial presence of such content in academic submissions. Moreover, three times as many students than faculty reported being regular users of generative AI writing tools like ChatGPT, with a staggering 46% of students expressing their intent to use these tools even if prohibited by their instructors or institutions.

The need for detection systems to identify AI-generated content has become paramount in educational settings. Despite limitations, AI-powered writing detection tools have proven to be an effective means to help educators and students detect plagiarism and maintain academic integrity. By using these tools in conjunction with other teaching strategies, educators can ensure that students are learning and producing original work.

The role of detection software extends beyond identifying instances of plagiarism; it also serves as a deterrent against the misuse of generative AI writing tools. Educators are empowered with resources designed to guide students in maintaining academic integrity when faced with AI writing tools.

How Blackboard Detects AI Writing

As the prevalence of AI-generated content continues to grow, Blackboard has developed advanced detection features to identify essays and papers that have been generated by AI. The Blackboard AI Detector utilizes artificial intelligence to spot patterns in writing that are characteristic of AI-generated text. These patterns may include repetitive phrases, unnatural sentence structure, or a lack of creativity. However, it's important to note that the detector can be bypassed with the assistance of tools such as Undetectable.ai or by manually editing and rewriting the work while incorporating original ideas and insights.

One of Blackboard's integrated systems, SafeAssign, plays a crucial role in detecting plagiarism but also comes with its own set of limitations when it comes to identifying AI-generated content. Despite these challenges, Blackboard continues to enhance its detection capabilities to stay ahead of evolving AI technologies.

Blackboard AI Detector Features

The Blackboard AI Detector is equipped with integration capabilities with third-party technologies, allowing it to adapt and evolve alongside new developments in generative AI writing tools. This integration ensures that the detector remains effective in identifying content created using tools like ChatGPT and Quillbot.

Blackboard Detect ChatGPT

When it comes to detecting content generated by ChatGPT, Blackboard employs specific strategies tailored to identify patterns unique to this particular AI writer. By continuously analyzing and adapting its algorithms, Blackboard ensures that its detection methods remain effective against evolving writing technologies.

Blackboard Detect Quillbot

Similarly, Blackboard has developed specific strategies for detecting content generated by Quillbot. By understanding the distinct characteristics of Quillbot-generated text, Blackboard's detection system can effectively differentiate between original student work and content produced by this AI writing tool.

Incorporating the use of machine learning, Blackboard's continuous improvement in detection serves as a valuable resource for educators seeking to maintain academic integrity within their institutions.

Blackboard's Use of Machine Learning

Incorporating machine learning into its detection capabilities, the Blackboard AI Detector continuously evolves to enhance its effectiveness in identifying AI-generated content. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the detector undergoes continuous improvement to stay ahead of emerging writing technologies and patterns.

The Blackboard AI Detector utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze writing patterns indicative of AI-generated text. This includes identifying repetitive phrases, unnatural sentence structures, and a lack of creativity, which are common characteristics of content produced by generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Quillbot. Moreover, the detector is designed to adapt to new developments in AI writing technologies, ensuring that it remains a robust tool for educators and students.

One key aspect of Blackboard's use of machine learning is its integration with third-party technologies. This integration allows the detector to remain agile and responsive to changes in the landscape of generative AI writing tools. By collaborating with external systems, such as SafeAssign, Blackboard enhances its ability to detect plagiarism and identify instances of AI-generated content.

Furthermore, the USC Blackboard Support Team has been actively testing the features of the Turnitin AI writing detection tool. Turnitin has announced they will be previewing a new AI Writing Detection Indicator to help support academic integrity. This feature will check any Turnitin submissions and predict which parts were written by a human or generated using AI writing tools such as ChatGPT.

Bringing the AI writing detection tool into the classroom as both a deterrent and investigative tool creates reassurance for educators. Faculty members can use AI writing detection as a data point to understand whether AI use is a problem or is appropriate according to their institution’s guidelines and academic integrity policy.

By harnessing machine learning capabilities, Blackboard's continuous improvement in detection serves as an essential resource for educators seeking to maintain academic integrity within their institutions.

Continuous Improvement in Detection

The Blackboard AI Detector leverages machine learning algorithms for continuous enhancement.
It adapts to emerging writing technologies and patterns indicative of AI-generated content.
Integration with third-party technologies ensures agility in detecting plagiarism and identifying instances of AI-generated content.

Turnitin's Approach to AI Writing Detection

In response to the proliferation of AI-generated writing, Turnitin has developed a robust approach to detecting and analyzing content created through artificial intelligence. The cornerstone of Turnitin's strategy lies in its advanced algorithms and patterns analysis, which enables it to effectively identify instances of AI-generated writing while providing educators and institutions with the necessary tools to maintain academic integrity.

Turnitin Detect Features

Turnitin's AI writing detection tool is underpinned by advanced algorithms and patterns analysis. These sophisticated algorithms enable Turnitin to scrutinize the intricacies of written content, identifying subtle patterns indicative of AI-generated writing. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Turnitin ensures that its detection capabilities remain at the forefront of combating academic dishonesty stemming from the use of generative AI writing tools.

Turnitin Detect ChatGPT

As AI technologies continue to evolve, Turnitin remains proactive in adapting its detection capabilities to effectively identify content generated by tools like ChatGPT. Through continuous refinement of its algorithms, Turnitin ensures that it can discern between human-authored content and that produced by ChatGPT. This adaptability is crucial in addressing the ever-changing landscape of AI writing technologies and maintaining the integrity of educational assessments.

Turnitin and CopyLeaks Partnership

Turnitin has forged a strategic partnership with CopyLeaks, a leading provider of plagiarism detection solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance Turnitin's detection capabilities by integrating CopyLeaks' expertise in identifying similarities within written content. By leveraging CopyLeaks' extensive database and advanced similarity analysis, Turnitin strengthens its ability to detect instances of AI-generated writing while providing educators with comprehensive insights through detailed similarity reports.

In addition, Atif Shehzad, an expert in machine learning and natural language processing, has been instrumental in guiding Turnitin's efforts to enhance its AI writing detection capabilities. His expertise has played a pivotal role in refining the algorithms used by Turnitin to analyze and identify patterns associated with AI-generated writing.

The current Turnitin Similarity Report provides educators with a comprehensive overview of textual similarities within submitted work. However, as part of ongoing developments, Turnitin is set to introduce an enhanced version featuring an indicator specifically designed for detecting AI-generated content. This indicator will offer educators valuable insights into the presence of such content within student submissions, empowering them to take informed actions based on the findings.

Comparing Blackboard and Turnitin: Strengths and Weaknesses

When it comes to the effectiveness in detecting AI writing, both Blackboard and Turnitin have distinct strengths and weaknesses. A comparative analysis of their detection rates reveals insights into their respective capabilities in identifying instances of AI-generated content within academic submissions.

Effectiveness in Detecting AI Writing

Blackboard's AI Detector boasts a detection percentage of 85-90% for identifying AI-generated content within student assignments. This high detection rate is attributed to the integration of machine learning algorithms, enabling the detector to analyze writing patterns indicative of AI-generated text with remarkable accuracy. On the other hand, Turnitin's AI writing detection system has demonstrated a detection percentage ranging from 80-95%, showcasing its robust capability in identifying subtle statistical patterns associated with AI-generated writing.

The comparative analysis indicates that both Blackboard and Turnitin excel in effectively detecting instances of AI-generated content, providing educators with valuable insights into the presence of such content within student submissions.

User Experience and Integration

In terms of user experience and integration, Blackboard offers educators and students an intuitive platform that seamlessly integrates with existing learning management systems. The ease of use for educators and students is evident through the streamlined process of submitting assignments for plagiarism checks using Blackboard's integrated detection tools.

Similarly, Turnitin provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the submission and evaluation process for educators and students. The seamless integration with various learning management systems ensures a cohesive experience for users, enhancing accessibility and usability.

Future-Proofing Against New AI Tools

Adaptability and updates are crucial factors in future-proofing against new AI tools. Blackboard's continuous improvement in detection is underscored by its commitment to integrating third-party technologies to remain agile in detecting plagiarism and identifying instances of AI-generated content. This proactive approach ensures that Blackboard stays ahead of emerging writing technologies, positioning it as a reliable solution for educational institutions seeking to combat academic dishonesty stemming from generative AI writing tools.

Turnitin's deep-learning architecture, known as the transformer model, equips its AI writing detection system with the capability to identify subtle statistical patterns indicative of AI-generated writing. Furthermore, Turnitin's announcement regarding the previewing of a new AI Writing Detection Indicator underscores its dedication to staying at the forefront of combating academic dishonesty facilitated by generative AI tools.

The Future of AI Writing Detection

As the landscape of academic writing continues to evolve, the role of AI in enhancing detection capabilities is becoming increasingly significant. Both Blackboard and Turnitin are at the forefront of leveraging emerging technologies and innovations to address the challenges posed by AI-generated content.

Emerging Technologies and Innovations

The integration of advanced algorithms and machine learning models has empowered both Blackboard and Turnitin to enhance their detection systems. Turnitin's constant improvement in algorithms and database updates ensures accuracy in identifying instances of AI-generated writing, while Blackboard's collaboration with SafeAssign for plagiarism detection provides a robust framework for detecting such content within student assignments.

Moreover, Turnitin's larger repository of past student papers and extensive scope of online periodical databases offer educators comprehensive insights into the originality of student submissions. On the other hand, Blackboard's integration with third-party technologies allows for agility in detecting plagiarism and identifying instances of AI-generated content.

The Importance of Continuous Learning

Continuous learning is paramount in preparing for future challenges in AI writing. Both educational platforms recognize the need for ongoing refinement and adaptation to stay ahead of evolving AI technologies. Turnitin's peer review feature and annual subscriptions based on usage demonstrate its commitment to providing educators with comprehensive tools for maintaining academic integrity.

Similarly, Blackboard's continuous improvement in detection, underscored by its commitment to integrating third-party technologies, positions it as a reliable solution for educational institutions seeking to combat academic dishonesty facilitated by generative AI writing tools.

In conclusion, as the use of generative AI writing tools becomes more prevalent, it is imperative for educational platforms like Blackboard and Turnitin to remain proactive in harnessing emerging technologies. By embracing continuous learning and innovation, these platforms are well-equipped to address future challenges in AI writing while upholding academic integrity.

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