Stephen Cicirelli, a lecturer at Saint Peter’s University in the United States, has recently shared an intriguing incident involving a student who submitted a research paper entirely written with the help of AI technology.
In a candid post shared on his social media account @SteveCicirelli on X (formerly known as Twitter), Cicirelli revealed that he took the step to fail the student after confirming that the research paper was generated by AI rather than the student’s own original work.
What made the situation even more unusual was the student's follow-up action. Upon receiving the failing grade, the student sent an apology email—only this time, the apology letter itself was drafted using AI. Cicirelli was quick to recognize the AI-generated nature of the apology and shared his thoughts on the surreal experience.
He wrote, “I just failed a student for submitting an AI-written research paper, and she sent me an obviously AI-written email apologizing, asking if there is anything she can do to improve her grade. We are through the looking-glass, folks.”
The post quickly gained traction online, sparking numerous reactions from educators, students, and social media users alike, many expressing concern about the growing role of AI in academic integrity and the challenges it poses to traditional educational methods.
Below are some of the notable reactions from users:
@PadmaC18: “I have had this happen to me. I am thinking that having students read aloud with attention to syntax, diction, pacing and pause-reading aloud a sentence well with no dramatics—maybe the only urgent teaching goal. Have him/her read aloud a passage :).”
@Sad_Liberal: “As someone who does not often encounter AI writing, it’s hard to understand how an apology email could be obviously AI-written (not challenging your conclusion).”
@joozie75: “Was it obviously AI as a standalone paper or only in the context of other knowledge of the student? I didn’t think it was possible to tell with any certainty that any content is AI generated.”
@AaronGogley: “Out of curiosity, how did you determine it was AI written? And I assume the apology actually confessed to it?”
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