Introduction
A family in Hingham [1], Massachusetts [1] [2] [4] [5] [6], has initiated a federal lawsuit against the Town of Hingham School Committee and school officials [1]. The lawsuit centers on allegations that their son, a high school senior identified as RNH, was unjustly penalized for utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a social studies project. This case highlights the broader issue of AI’s role in educational settings and the necessity for clear policies governing its use.
Description
A family in Hingham [1], Massachusetts [1] [2] [4] [5] [6], has filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Hingham School Committee and school officials [1], alleging that their son [4], a high school senior referred to as RNH, was unfairly punished for using artificial intelligence (AI) tools while working on a social studies project about the civil rights legacy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. RNH and a classmate employed an AI tool for research and outlining, including proper citations [2] [7]. However, when the teacher discovered this during a review of their work [6], RNH received a D on the project [1], faced detention [2] [4] [5] [6], and was barred from joining the National Honor Society [4]. The lawsuit claims that the school’s actions have caused RNH “irreparable harm,” particularly as he is applying to elite colleges [4], including Stanford University [2].
The case [1] [2] [5], currently pending in US District Court, raises significant questions about the role of AI in educational settings [6], especially since the school’s AI policy was implemented only after the incident and there were no specific guidelines in place at Hingham High School during the 2023-24 school year. The school’s handbook mentions that unauthorized use of technology [4], including AI [1] [3] [4], may be considered cheating or plagiarism [4], but it does not clarify how AI can be appropriately used in academic work [4]. Neither the teacher nor the assignment materials explicitly prohibited the use of AI, and the handbook defines plagiarism as the unauthorized use or close imitation of another’s language and thoughts [4], including those generated by AI [4].
During the court proceedings, RNH testified that he was not informed about restrictions on AI use in his history class [3], unlike in his English class. His history teacher noted that she utilized software to detect AI usage and plagiarism [3], and she observed that RNH spent significantly less time on the project compared to his peers. The school district determined that RNH had cheated due to his failure to cite AI as a source [3], leading to penalties including a lower grade [1] [3], detention [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], and exclusion from the National Honor Society [1] [3] [5]. The lawsuit argues that the school’s lack of an AI-specific policy violated RNH’s civil rights and adversely affected his college prospects [1]. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to restore RNH’s grade to a ‘B,’ expunge his disciplinary record [1], and require the school to implement AI training for staff [1]. A hearing on the preliminary injunction took place on October 22, with the court considering whether to restore the student’s grade and remove disciplinary records [5], allowing him to apply to colleges without negative marks on his transcript [5]. Although RNH’s parents are seeking to reverse the consequences of the school’s actions, he has since been admitted to the National Honor Society [3].
School officials defended their actions [6], stating that RNH faced lenient discipline for unauthorized AI use and failure to cite sources [6], arguing that he engaged in self-cheating and plagiarism [6]. However, the lawsuit contends that AI-generated content should not be classified as plagiarism [6], as RNH utilized AI similarly to a search engine to gather sources and develop ideas rather than to write the paper for him [2]. The family hopes the case will lead to a change in RNH’s grade and restore his eligibility for the National Honor Society [2], while also preventing the incident from being labeled as academic dishonesty on college applications [2]. The lawsuit also highlights inconsistencies in how academic integrity infractions were handled [7], noting that other students with similar issues were allowed to join the National Honor Society [7].
This case underscores the necessity for educational institutions to establish clear guidelines regarding acceptable AI use [1], as reliance on vague policies can lead to legal disputes [1]. While 24 states have issued guidance on generative AI policies [5], Massachusetts has not yet done so [5], and many teachers report a lack of AI policy in their districts [5]. Experts advocate for a shift in focus from concerns about cheating to how AI can enhance education, emphasizing the importance of educating teachers [5], students [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7], and families about these policies [5].
Creating effective AI policies is challenging due to the rapidly evolving nature of the technology [5]. Following the incident that led to the lawsuit [5], Hingham High School’s student handbook was updated to include language regarding unauthorized use of AI [5]. Experts suggest that outright bans on AI tools are counterproductive and advocate for nuanced policies that define acceptable use in various contexts [5]. There is also a pressing need for AI literacy among educators to ensure they are equipped to handle emerging situations involving AI [5], especially as many top-tier institutions are incorporating AI into their policies [2], allowing its use with proper citations and original writing [2].
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by the Hingham family against the school committee and officials underscores the urgent need for educational institutions to develop clear and comprehensive policies regarding AI use. The case highlights the potential for legal disputes arising from vague or non-existent guidelines and emphasizes the importance of AI literacy among educators. As AI technology continues to evolve, schools must adapt to ensure that students can benefit from these tools while maintaining academic integrity. The outcome of this case may influence how schools nationwide address AI use in education, potentially leading to more consistent and informed policies.
References
[1] https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/high-profile-lawsuit-underscores-need-4556201/
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/ai-paper-write-cheating-lawsuit-massachusetts-help-rcna175669
[3] https://whdh.com/news/hingham-high-school-student-testifies-in-federal-court-in-ai-lawsuit-against-district/
[4] https://abcnews.go.com/US/parents-sue-school-massachusetts-after-son-punished-ai/story?id=114819025
[5] https://www.edweek.org/technology/parents-sue-after-school-disciplined-student-for-ai-use-takeaways-for-educators/2024/10
[6] https://www.boston.com/news/technology/2024/10/23/parents-hingham-student-disciplined-using-ai-sue-school/
[7] https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/10/17/hingham-artificial-intelligence-history-project-lawsuit
