To the Editor:
The April 20 article on cheating concerns offers a glimpse into what artificial intelligence means for take-home exams and homework more generally. Students will use AI, hoping to stay under the radar or be excused on account of the stresses of college and life. What is noteworthy here is that the tidal wave of AI use was reported in an economics course taught by a distinguished game theorist. John von Neumann, the co-developer of game theory, warned that human selfishness is a law of nature; we should not judge it morally. Instead, we need systems that protect students from themselves and their cheating classmates. The irony that game theorists were made into suckers by students who cheated once they were incentivized to do so is precious. If economists think they can create an equilibrium of collective cooperation — a course where no student cheats — they should do so without appealing to morality and conscience. Or, they should leave the matter to the psychologists.
Joachim Krueger is a professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences. He can be reached at joachim_krueger@brown.edu. Please send responses to this letter to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
