I'm an editor, and I've got a client who mentioned using ChatGPT to help polish the spelling and grammar of his Master's thesis. I'm aware that universities are tightening their grip on AI usage and have tools to detect it. My client has done all the research and put in his own ideas, but I'm unsure how this ChatGPT assistance might be viewed. I noticed some American vs. British spelling inconsistencies in his thesis; we typically follow British English guidelines. Should I suggest he completely reword everything, or is it fine to leave it as is and just fix those small inconsistencies?
3 Answers
Honestly, most universities are still figuring out how to handle AI tools. As long as your client did the hard work himself and ChatGPT was only used for grammar tips, he should be in the clear. Just check those spelling differences to keep things consistent, and he should be good!
AI detectors aren’t very effective, and for basic feedback on spelling and grammar, using ChatGPT is generally okay. It's not known for its stellar grammar, though, so I wouldn't worry too much about that setting off any alarms at the university.
Might be worth reaching out to an academic advisor to get clarity on the university's policy on AI assistance. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially with something as important as a thesis!
Thanks for your input! That's reassuring to hear.