Parents Sue School After Son Gets Punished for Using AI on Class Project, Insist 'It Wasn't Cheating'

Massachusetts Parents Sue School Over Son's Punishment for Using AI on Project

A Massachusetts couple, Jennifer and Dale Harris, are suing Hingham High School for punishing their son for using artificial intelligence (AI) on a class project. The parents claim that the school's handbook did not have clear guidelines on the use of AI, and the disciplinary action taken against their son was "arbitrary and capricious."

The Incident

The incident occurred when the student, a senior, used AI to help with a team project on Lew Alcindor, also known as NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for a National History Day project. The student and his classmate used AI to prepare the initial outline and research for the project.

The Punishment

As a result of the academic infraction, the student received a "zero" on the project, Saturday detention, and was barred from induction into the National Honor Society. The parents claim that this punishment is unfair, especially since other students who had similar infractions were not barred from induction into the National Honor Society.

The Lawsuit

The parents are suing the school for violating their son's civil rights and due process. They are seeking to have their son's grade restored to a "B" and to expunge any record of discipline. They also want their son to be retroactively appointed and inducted into the National Honor Society.

The School's Response

The school has added language to their handbook referencing artificial intelligence, but the parents claim that this is too little, too late. The school has also stated that they cannot comment on the case due to ongoing litigation.

The Impact

The parents are concerned that the punishment will affect their son's chances of getting into top-tier colleges, such as Stanford and MIT. They claim that the school's actions will have a lasting impact on their son's future.

The Attorney's Statement

Peter Farrell, the attorney for the couple, stated that the school's handbook is intended to provide clear expectations for student behavior and discipline, but in this case, the disciplinary action taken against the student was "arbitrary and capricious, lacking clear guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence."

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