Abstract:

ChatGPT (the Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a computer program that allows users engage in an online chat with an artificial intelligence (AI) via a text-based natural language interface. It was launched by the research laboratory OpenAI in November 2022 and has rapidly achieved global interest from the media. It is designed to have a conversation between a human and the AI, however it can also be used to write computer programs, compose songs and music, play games, and answer test questions. This final ability has raised significant concerns in terms of the potential that ChatGPT may be used by students to cheat in their assessments and assignments. ChatGPT has been trained using both data and human inputs. In terms of the data training, it has been trained on a range of datasets (at least some of which consist of transcriptions of chats between people), however OpenAI has not revealed the exact datasets used in the training of ChatGPT. In terms of the human training, a number of human beings were part of the training process to give feedback and improve the performance of the tool, and again OpenAI have not revealed the exact process by which the used human to improve ChatGPT.
Although some media outlets have claimed that ChatGPT is potentially a plagiarism tool, there are a number of uncertainties around this claim, including the following objections:
1. It is unknown whether any of the datasets themselves that were used to train ChatGPT have been plagiarised from other sources without permission.
2. It is unknown to what extent ChatGPT copies verbatim from the replies that the humans who were involved in the human-based aspect of the training of ChatGPT.
3. It is uncertain if the students’ use of ChatGPT could be considered plagiarism, depending on the specific definition of that term in each specific educational institution.

To further elucidate on the final point, if the definition of plagiarism specifies that it is the act of copying off another person, then when students copy off ChatGPT, it could be argued that they are not committing plagiarism, as they are not copying off a person. This research will explore definitions of plagiarism from a range of third-level education institutes to identify ones that may require updating, and also those that may be used as exemplars of best practice for others.

A sampling of definitions of plagiarism from some third-level educational institutes in Ireland include the following:
• Technological University of Dublin defines plagiarism as follows: “taking or using another person's work, writings or inventions as your own” [1].
• Dublin City University defines plagiarism as follows: “Plagiarism is the act of taking and using another person’s work and presenting it as your own without adequate reference” [2].
• Trinity College Dublin defines plagiarism as follows: “Plagiarism is the act of presenting the work or ideas of others as one’s own without due acknowledgement” [3].

Keywords:

ChatGPT, GenerativeAI, Plagiarism.