Higher education must rethink assessment practices in response to the growing integrity challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), say authors in this Policy Forum. They analyzed data on student use of this technology across 20 major public research universities in the United States. The impact of GenAI on higher education is highly debated. In many ways, the technology is making common forms of evaluation, such as tests, projects, or term papers, less reliable as a measure of student capability. This highlights the need for a better understanding of where GenAI use is most prevalent and where misuse is most likely to occur. Igor Chirikov and colleagues analyzed survey data from more than 95,000 students across 20 U.S. research universities during the 2023-2024 academic year. Their findings reveal widespread GenAI use among students: roughly two-thirds of students reported using it over the study period, with 37% using it regularly. However, usage patterns differed considerably by discipline, with higher adoption in STEM fields. For example, 62% of computer science students reported regular usage, compared with only 24% of students in the arts. Notably, some social science disciplines, such as business and economics, also demonstrated high levels of adoption. Patterns of GenAI-assisted cheating also varied across disciplines. Estimated rates of misuse were generally higher in non-STEM fields, with economics (17%) and journalism (16%) showing relatively high rates, whereas biology (5%) was among the lowest. The study also found significant demographic disparities in GenAI use, with higher adoption among male, White, and Asian students than among female and underrepresented minority students. Although differences tied to socioeconomic status and disability were smaller, the authors suggest that the findings raise concerns about unequal access to AI tools and literacy. Chirikov et al. propose several paths forward. They note that there is no single “AI-proof” assessment model and suggest reforms tailored to individual disciplines. They place a focus on preparing students to use AI responsibly in professional contexts.

In a new study published in Sustainability, researchers surveyed Rwandan young adults on their financial knowledge, skills, and behaviors to identify gaps in their DFL. They found modest strengths in some areas and gaps in others, as well as disparities by gender and education.

Launching today at the 79th World Health Assembly with more than 14,000 entries across all of healthcare, the first global database of its kind.

A new study from the University of East London has found that companies led by long-serving chief executives may become less innovative over time unless challenged by strong independent boards.

A new study has found that simple digital finance tools such as mobile money can help small businesses build long-term competitive strength, not just improve access to banking.

Investors looking for higher returns may want to focus on a company’s location instead of its growth potential, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. They found that portfolios built to consider company headquarter location and the housing market together could produce returns three times higher than portfolios focused on growth stocks alone.  

The Securities and Exchange Commission is handing out whistleblower awards as high as $20 million. The assumption behind those payouts is simple: Bigger rewards mean more people will come forward. But new research finds that logic may be flawed.

Ronghuo Zheng, associate professor of accounting at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, finds whistleblower incentives operate in a Goldilocks range. Make them too small, and they fail to motivate reporting. But make them too large, and they can cut down whistleblowing, allowing serious problems to go unresolved.