30 November 2025 to 3 December 2025
Century City Conference Centre
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
PLEASE NOTE: Registrations Have Closed! Contact chpc@csir.co.za for further queries.

Ethical Boundaries of Plagiarism Detection in the Age of AI

2 Dec 2025, 11:00
30m
1/1-10 - Room 10 (Century City Conference Centre)

1/1-10 - Room 10

Century City Conference Centre

50

Speakers

Bobby Tait (University of South Africa) Rowen Robinson

Description

This paper explores the ethical boundaries of plagiarism detection in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on the rise of AI-generated text and its implications for academic integrity. While plagiarism detection has traditionally relied on string-matching and authorship attribution, the emergence of generative models like GPT-4 challenges these methods. Institutions now face a dual imperative: uphold fairness and accountability while respecting privacy, transparency, and due process. This article reviews the evolution of detection systems, contextualizes them within cybersecurity frameworks, and analyzes ethical tensions through global policy comparisons and case scenarios. A conceptual model of AI-enabled detection is presented, alongside a comparative table of international data protection laws. The paper argues for a balanced governance approach that integrates human judgment, safeguards student rights, and acknowledges cultural diversity in plagiarism norms. Recommendations include hybrid detection-prevention strategies, transparent algorithms, and ethics-informed policy design. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that detection systems serve education rather than undermine it.

Primary author

Rowen Robinson

Presentation Materials

There are no materials yet.