A University of Minnesota Ph.D. student, Haishan Yang, is suing the institution following his expulsion for allegedly using AI tools to write essays. The case centers around a remote preliminary exam taken in Morocco during the summer of 2024, where Yang was required to write three essays in eight hours using approved resources, excluding AI. While Yang maintains he authored the essays himself, the university alleges AI assistance.
The Evidence and Disagreements
A panel of four professors reviewed Yang’s essays and identified several points of concern. They cited the inclusion of “involved concepts not covered in class,” the use of acronyms uncommon in the field but prevalent in ChatGPT-generated text, and striking similarities between Yang’s essays and ChatGPT’s responses to the same prompts. Yang argues that the similarities stem from ChatGPT accessing the same source material he used, and further alleges that professors manipulated ChatGPT outputs to resemble his writing style.
A History of Conflict
This incident isn’t isolated. Yang claims a pre-existing “conspiracy” against him, citing a previous instance where his financial support was revoked due to alleged poor performance and inappropriate behavior as a research assistant. He successfully appealed that decision, regaining funding and receiving an apology. His advisor seemingly supports this claim of animosity, expressing concern over the level of negativity directed towards Yang. The university also points to a prior incident where Yang submitted homework containing the phrase “re write it, make it more casual, like a foreign student write but no ai.” While Yang admitted to using AI for English language assistance but not for generating answers, he received a warning.
From University Panel to Courtroom
The university panel ruled against Yang, leading him to pursue legal action. In January 2025, he filed state and federal lawsuits against the university and his professor, alleging evidence manipulation and a lack of due process. Ironically, Yang acknowledges using ChatGPT to draft the legal filings.
The Implications of AI in Academia
This case highlights the emerging challenges universities face in navigating the use of AI in academic work. The detection of AI-generated text and ensuring academic integrity are becoming increasingly complex, as are the legal and ethical implications of accusations and disciplinary actions.
The ongoing legal battle between Yang and the University of Minnesota will likely set a precedent for similar cases in the future, shaping how educational institutions address the use of AI in student work.
