Yoked to a Deep Commitment

Postplagiarism: transdisciplinary ethics and integrity in the age of artificial intelligence and neurotechnology by Sarah Elaine Eaton
International Journal for Educational Integrity, October 12, 2023

Sarah Elaine Eaton is doing pathbreaking work in the emerging AI and education space. Her recent article, ambitiously titled “Postplagiarism: transdisciplinary ethics and integrity in the age of artificial intelligence and neurotechnology,” is an attempt to develop a framework for thinking about integrity in academic work. Built around six key tenets, Eaton’s argument is essentially that in this new era, “when technology cannot be decoupled from everyday life” and “hybrid-human-AI writing” becomes more common, our field needs new ways of thinking about human-machine collaboration and pedagogies of research, attribution, and writing process. Specifically, Eaton maintains that “historical definitions of plagiarism no longer apply,” while connecting to research arguing that consensus about plagiarism has actually been more elusive than we might realize. In a moment when so much feels like it’s being eaten by software, Eaton argues persuasively that “humans can – and must – remain accountable for fact-checking, verification procedures, and truth-telling.” The pedagogical and transformative potential of new technology should not be dismissed; rather, it must be yoked to a deep commitment to the humanistic, creative foundation of good teaching and learning. As if the challenges of generative AI weren’t enough for educators to ponder, Eaton fast-forwards to a world in which neurotechnology arrives to flummox educators and to challenge notions of independence, creativity, and authenticity. Eye-opening and mind-bending, this article is a must-read for folks looking to better understand where technology has brought us and where it might lead us – and how we might need to evolve along with it.