The greatest risk of AI in higher education isn’t cheating – it’s the erosion of learning itself

Automating knowledge production and teaching weakens the ecosystem of students and scholars that sustains universities, raising existential questions about their mission.

By: Nir Eisikovits, UMass Boston and Jacob Burley, UMass Boston, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 19, 2026

Words: 1,663

Last Updated: 3 days, 11 hours ago

Body Text Preview

By Nir Eisikovits, UMass Boston and Jacob Burley, UMass Boston

Public debate about artificial intelligence in higher education has largely orbited a familiar worry: cheating. Will students use chatbots to write essays? Can instructors tell? Should universities ban the tech? Embrace it?

These concerns are understandable. But focusing so much on cheating misses the larger transformation already underway, one that extends far beyond student misconduct and even the classroom.

Universities are adopting AI

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us