ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is swiftly transforming the academic landscape in Malaysia, with tools such as ChatGPT increasingly integrated into the daily practices of higher education institutions (IPTs). While the benefits are substantial—ranging from improved writing and research efficiency to real-time information access—growing concerns over academic dishonesty and misuse continue to prompt calls for clearer ethical frameworks.
"Generative AI is a technological advancement capable of producing content that previously required human thought and effort. AI can certainly generate student assignments or coursework," Associate Professor Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad, Dean of the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication at Universiti Utara Malaysia said in a Bernama exclusive today.
“If students rely entirely on AI, it could potentially hinder their learning process. This irresponsible or unethical use of AI to complete assignments—while claiming them as original work—is referred to as ‘AIgiarism’ or AI plagiarism,” he told Bernama.
Dr Mohd Khairie pointed out that the issue of academic dishonesty is not new but has become more complex since generative AI gained popularity in 2022. He noted that many students perceive AI use as harmless since the technology is legal and accessible, but warned this perception could undermine the very principles of scholarly learning.
"Such conduct is regarded as a form of plagiarism. Lecturers now evaluate assignments not only through similarity indices but also via AI detection tools like Turnitin, GPTZero, Copyleaks and others,” he said. “We also look at the style, language structure, and content to detect signs of integrity breaches.”
Though acknowledging that AI is also used by educators for teaching and research, Dr Mohd Khairie stressed that academic work must remain grounded in rigorous thinking and proper citation.
“A scholarly work requires reading and digesting prior writings as part of the process of generating new thoughts or ideas. It is ethical to clearly disclose the use of AI and list AI tools as sources when they contribute to the work,” he added.
Need for Clearer Guidelines
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) issued early guidance on AI use in 2023, followed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s more detailed framework in 2024, emphasising lawful, ethical and transparent application of generative AI. Dr Mohd Khairie believes all IPTs should align their policies with the upcoming AI Act, currently being drafted by the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) under the Ministry of Digital.
“Students must be educated to use AI ethically, as a support tool—not as a shortcut to complete assignments. If this understanding doesn’t take root, digital ‘illnesses’ like brainrot (mental fatigue) may affect university students,” he warned.
Referencing a 2024 study by global publisher Wiley, he noted that academic dishonesty linked to AI had risen by 72 per cent in the United States and Canada since 2021. However, institutions that implemented structured AI guidance reported reduced misconduct.
Transforming the Academic Ecosystem
Siraj Jalil, President of the Malaysian Cyber Consumers Association (MCCA), echoed the need for a nuanced approach, saying AI now forms a critical part of the IPT ecosystem.
“MCCA does not see this issue as entirely a threat, nor as an opportunity without risks. It lies in a grey area that can bring either benefits or harm depending on how it is used,” he said.
Siraj noted that while AI can enhance understanding and idea generation, its use without reasoning or critical engagement clearly violates academic principles. He called for institutions to reform assessment methods and develop comprehensive AI ethics modules for students and lecturers.
“Assignments should be restructured to emphasise process over outcome, incorporating presentations, reflective portfolios, or fieldwork. AI literacy must become a core part of the academic journey,” he added.
He also called on academic publishers to adapt policies on AI-generated content, stressing the need for full disclosure and a balance between innovation and rigour. “Responsible use of AI begins with the principle that AI is a tool—not a replacement for human reasoning,” he said.
Siraj proposed a national policy on AI usage in IPTs, including defined limits on AI assistance, clear consequences for misuse, and structured training in AI ethics and usage for both students and faculty.
Student Perspectives: Responsible Use the Norm
For Muhammad Haziq Sabri, President of the Student Representative Council at Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam (2024/2025), ChatGPT is now a common tool among students and a vital part of their academic toolkit.
“It enables note generation from lecture slides and helps in understanding certain topics. Using ChatGPT to correct grammar and sentence structure also speeds up the process of completing assignments,” he said.
He rejected the idea that using ChatGPT inherently amounts to cheating, saying that ethical use must involve understanding and adapting the information provided by AI.
“It becomes academic dishonesty when students just ‘copy and paste’ without understanding or modifying the content. Most of my peers use it responsibly, primarily for structuring and grammar checking,” he said, citing Academic Circular No. 5 of 2023 which offers formal guidance on AI use in teaching and learning.
For Muhammad Asyraf Daniyal Abdul Halid, a Master’s student in Marine Biotechnology at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, the real issue lies in digital literacy and fact-checking.
“ChatGPT really helps us search and compile necessary information, develop ideas, and get an overview of assignments. However, plagiarism and failure to fact-check are common misuses among students,” he said.
Both students stressed the importance of ethics education in ensuring that AI enhances—rather than undermines—academic growth. They support clearer institutional guidelines and greater awareness among students to preserve integrity in the age of AI. - June 26, 2025
