Several North East Universities had less AI academic misconduct cases in 2024/25 than 2023/24

There were fewer cases of AI-related academic misconduct in 2024/25 versus 2023/24 across multiple universities in the North East, an FOI has revealed.

At Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham University, the number of academic misconduct cases relating to AI were at their highest in the 2023/24 academic year.

The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request to several universities in the region.

At Northumbria University, there were <5 upheld cases related to inappropriate use of AI in the academic year 2021/2. In 2022/3, the figures jumped to 101.

In 2023/24, Northumbria University had 293 cases related to inappropriate use of AI, a percentage increase of 190%.

However, in 2024/25, the number of cases was 171, a decrease of 41.6% from the previous year.

Northumbria University revealed that there were no expulsions related to AI misuse.

At Newcastle University, the number of students in 2023/24 who received penalties for academic misconduct involving ai (or the number of upheld cases of academic misconduct involving AI) was 11.

Comparatively, in 2024/5 there were 9 cases/students who received penalties, whilst in 2022/23 there were 6.

Newcastle and Northumbria University had less cases in 2024/5 than the previous year, but not as low as in 2022/3.

Here’s a graph showing the number of upheld academic misconduct cases involving AI at Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland between 2022/3 – 2024/5:

Colin Cooper, the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Illuminate XR, has worked extensively with universities on the topic of AI in education, co-developing the Generative AI Inclusion Threshold (GAiIT Framework). The framework, Colin Cooper said, “gives instructors a clear, consistent way to define the role of artificial intelligence in any given assessment.”

He said: “I wouldn’t take declining cases as evidence that the problem is shrinking. It might just be changing shape.”

“A few things could be happening at once,” he said.

“Students have gotten better at using AI in ways that don’t look like AI. Two years ago, ChatGPT outputs had a signature style you could spot a mile away. Now students are using it to draft, editing heavily, running it through other tools. The footprint has shrunk.”

“Most students still use AI. But more of them are getting deliberate about where they let it touch the work. It shows up in the brainstorming, the structuring, the tidying up,” he revealed.

He also said: “There are subjects where the cost of getting caught outweighs the benefit, and students are making a rational call.”

The environment could play a role. “A growing number of students are cutting back on AI use because of the environmental cost. The water and energy footprint of every prompt is becoming more visible, and a generation that’s already sharply aware of climate impact is starting to factor it into their choices.”

No students at Newcastle University were expelled for AI misuse in any year.

Spark contacted Dr Steven Buckley, the Chair for Academic Misconduct for the School of Policy and Global Affairs at City St George’s, University of London, to learn what can be done about AI academic misconduct.

He said: “Frankly there is little that can be done to fully prevent all instances of AI academic misconduct. At best, universities can try to mollify the issue by changing the nature of their assessments to make it harder or more impractical to use AI. For example, moving back towards in-person exams or vivas. Whilst this is not possible for all subject areas or modules, it is certainly something that can be done in the area of humanities.”

When asked what proportion of AI misconduct cases come from students having lack of clarity surrounding what constitutes as cheating, he said: “A few years ago I would say that about 60% of cases that came to panel were where a student did not realise that using ChatGPT or Grammarly was considered academic misconduct. Now though many universities have developed far clearer policies and guidance for students and so being able to plead ignorance of the rules is harder to do”.

“Now I would say that maybe 30% of cases I deal with are of students not knowing that AI is wrong. Many students who are caught using AI to help with their assignments either know it’s wrong and don’t care, or have extenuating circumstances that through a range of factors compel them to try and take an academic shortcut.”

Durham University revealed they had <5 upheld cases/penalties involving Gen AI misconduct in 2023/24, and <5 expulsions in 2023/24. In the years prior, the university had 0.

In 2024/25, the number had gone back down to 0 cases/penalties.

A Durham University spokesperson said: “We recognise the potential of Generative AI to support our staff and students, including in preparing students for a workplace where Generative AI is increasingly present. We are also conscious of risks, and do not compromise on academic standards, so are approaching its adoption with caution.

“We have a clear University framework on how Generative AI may and may not be used in assessment. This is reviewed every year.”

At the University of Sunderland, there were 5 proven cases of AI in the academic year 2022/23.

In 2023/24, there were 52 proven cases of AI. In 2024/25, there were 65 proven cases of AI, resulting in ≤5 expulsions.

A spokesman for the University of Sunderland said: “The University recognises the potential for misuse of AI in academic study and has made clear to all students that this is not acceptable.

“We combine academic judgement and available detection tools to identify concerns in relation to academic misconduct where they arise. Unauthorised use of AI is defined as a serious form of academic misconduct and incurs commensurate penalties.

“Cases involving AI remain very low and are not seen as a significant issue. Any year‑on‑year increase reflects the wider growth in AI availability rather than an emerging problem at the University.”

Spark reached out to Newcastle University and Northumbria University for comment.

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