Parents’ lawsuit over AI homework cheating fails as judge supports school’s authority to enforce academic honesty, even without explicit AI policies.
A Massachusetts federal judge has sided with a school district in a controversial lawsuit involving a student’s use of AI for homework. The case marks a significant legal development for the technology. It revolves around the Harris family, who sued the Town of Hingham School Committee after their son, referred to only as RNH, received a “D” grade on an Advanced Placement U.S. History project for using artificial intelligence.Judge Sides With School District on AI Cheating Penalty
U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Levenson ruled in favor of the school district, stating that the school officials’ decision to penalize RNH for what they deemed AI cheating was well within their discretion. The judge’s decision dismissed the Harris family’s request to change the student’s grade to a “B” and remove any references to cheating from his record.
The controversy began when RNH and his project partner used AI tools to research basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for their history assignment.
