KU students turn to AI to study for finals as professors push back
As finals week approaches at the University of Kansas, students are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to help them prepare.
Programs like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are being used to review material, generate practice questions and better understand difficult concepts. For some students, the tools offer a way to fill in gaps when traditional study resources fall short.
“I definitely use AI to generate some questions for me,” sophomore Harlee Donovan said. “Some teachers don’t give out true study guides. I’ll put my notes or worksheets into them and say, ‘Can you make some problem questions that might be on the test?’”
While students see AI as a helpful study aid, some professors are raising concerns about how it is being used and whether it may go beyond supporting learning.
To combat potential misuse, some instructors have turned to tools like LockDown Browser during online exams. These programs restrict access to other tabs and screen sharing in an effort to prevent cheating. However, students say the systems are not without issues.
“You also can’t track your Wi-Fi, if the Wi-Fi goes out, you can’t see it, and you can’t see things like the time or other parts of your computer, ” Donovan said.
Even with these measures, some faculty question how effective they are.
“I don’t like lockdown browsers. I think they’re intrusive. But the real issue is trust. This is a symptom of something bigger,” Associate Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence Doug Ward said.
Ward said the broader concern is not just about technology, but about how students approach learning, especially during high-pressure times like finals week.
“A grade means nothing if you haven’t learned something,” Ward said. “What we need everyone to do is learn the skills that will allow them to thrive in the future.”
As AI continues to evolve, both students and faculty are working to find a balance between using it as a tool and maintaining academic integrity.
With finals week beginning soon, that balance is being tested in real time across campus.
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