Legal Battle Over AI Use in School Research Project
The parents of a Massachusetts high school senior have filed a lawsuit against the Hingham School District, claiming their son was unfairly punished for using artificial intelligence (AI) in a history project. The case, heard in federal court in Boston on Tuesday, underscores the growing debate over AI’s role in education and the lack of clear policies governing its use in schools.
Dispute Over AI in History Assignment
Dale and Jennifer Harris, the parents of the student, argue that their son’s grade and college prospects were unfairly affected after he used AI tools for a project on basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is also known for his civil rights activism. The student was not explicitly told AI was prohibited for the project, according to the lawsuit.
Despite this, when the teacher, Susan Petrie, discovered the use of AI, the student was given a low grade and required to attend a Saturday detention. This punishment, the parents claim, kept him out of the National Honor Society and diminished his chances of being accepted to elite colleges, including Stanford University.
School Defends Disciplinary Actions
In response, school officials stated that the punishment was “lenient and measured” for what they described as a serious infraction—unauthorized use of AI and failure to properly cite it. They further argued that the student had “cheated himself and other students” by relying on AI-generated content. The school also highlighted that the student received a second chance to complete the assignment but still earned a low grade after resubmitting it.
Broader Debate on AI in Schools
The lawsuit, which was initially filed in state court before being moved to federal court, raises questions about how schools should handle AI in student work. The Harrises argue that the school’s actions violated their son’s civil rights by denying him due process and equal educational opportunity. They are seeking to have the student’s Social Studies grade restored to a B, any disciplinary records expunged, and his eligibility for the National Honor Society reinstated.
Lack of AI Policy at the School
One key point in the lawsuit is the school’s lack of clear policies on AI use. The school’s student handbook does not include any specific guidelines about AI, leading the family to argue that the punishment was unfair.
Peter Farrell, the family’s lawyer, argued that AI-generated content cannot be considered plagiarism, as it is not the product of another human. He emphasized that the use of AI represents a growing “collaboration between human creativity and machine assistance” that society and schools must grapple with.
