Students dispute zero marks and academic misconduct rulings, spark debate on fairness and AI use

Three Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students have been penalised with zero marks and misconduct records for allegedly using AI tools in their coursework—claims they now dispute, igniting a wider discussion on AI policies and academic fairness.

Allegations of AI Misuse in Health and Politics Module

The controversy began in April when three undergraduates from NTU’s School of Social Sciences were flagged for suspected use of generative AI (Gen AI) in a module on health, disease outbreaks, and politics. Two students admitted to using AI tools to assist in research, while the third claimed unawareness that the tool used was AI-powered. NTU said their essays included fabricated citations, broken links, or non-existent references—serious violations of academic integrity.

NTU cited repeated reminders that AI use would result in a zero grade, a warning formally delivered in May. The penalised assignment made up 45% of the course’s total grade. The professor—understood to be Assistant Professor Sabrina Luk—explicitly forbade AI tools in writing assignments, according to internal briefing slides seen by The Straits Times.

Students Contest Rulings, Cite Lack of Fair Hearing

The affected students have contested the severity of the penalties, saying they were denied fair opportunities to defend themselves. One Year 3 student shared on Reddit that she was penalised over citation issues, not AI-generated content. She submitted detailed documentation, including a Draftback screen recording of her writing process and corrected sources, but was still labelled guilty of academic fraud.

Another Year 4 student claimed he used AI tools only to locate information, not to generate content. Despite initial leniency from his professor, NTU’s School Academic Integrity Officer overruled the decision without a formal hearing and issued a misconduct record. A third student, also in Year 4, admitted to using citationmachine.net and disclosed her background research with ChatGPT only after submitting her essay. She also said her formal review was hostile and her follow-up communication attempts were ignored.

Broader Policy on AI in Universities Under Scrutiny

This dispute unfolds against a wider backdrop where all six autonomous universities in Singapore, including NTU, permit AI use under strict conditions. Students may use tools like ChatGPT for research, provided they maintain academic honesty and disclose usage. However, the lack of clarity on what constitutes a violation is becoming increasingly contentious.

NTU’s public statement emphasized that citing fake or non-verifiable sources “undermines the credibility” of academic work. Still, the institution declined to comment on specifics like how it verifies citation errors or regulates AI-assisted tools like reference organizers.

Public Backlash and Viral Online Response

The case sparked an outpouring of support on Reddit, where users criticised NTU’s disciplinary process and lack of transparency. The original Reddit post went viral on June 19, prompting widespread calls for better AI governance in academic settings. Users called for legal action, improved appeal mechanisms, and clearer AI guidelines.

In a follow-up post, the student revealed that at least five other students may have faced similar accusations from the same professor. Multiple students have since paid S$40 to file official appeals to NTU’s academic board, with consultations reportedly ongoing.

Growing Need for Clear AI Guidelines

With AI tools now embedded in both education and industry, the NTU case highlights the urgent need for universities to balance academic integrity with evolving technologies. Institutions must clearly differentiate between AI misuse and reasonable support tools, especially in grey areas like citation organizers or research aids.

Without consistent standards, students risk severe penalties—even with transparent documentation and honest intent. This situation not only impacts academic records but also long-term trust between students and educators.

As universities across Asia embrace AI’s role in academic work, cases like NTU’s underscore the need for transparent, fair, and consistently enforced policies. For students in Singapore and across the region, this controversy serves as a warning—and a call for clearer, student-informed frameworks to manage AI use responsibly in higher education.

Sources: Straits Times (2025) , Must Share News (2025)

Keywords: Nanyang Technological University, Academic Misconduct, AI Tools, Student Appeal, NTU Dispute, Citation Error