Lecturer Fails Student for Using AI to Write Research Paper and Apology Letter

• Stephen Cicirelli, a lecturer at Saint Peter’s University, failed a student’s research paper due to its entirely AI-written nature.

• The student used AI to draft an apology letter, as mentioned by the speaker.

Stephen Cicirelli, a lecturer at Saint Peter’s University in the United States, has revealed that he failed a student for submitting a research paper entirely written by artificial intelligence (AI).

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Cicirelli explained that upon discovering the paper was AI-generated, he decided to give the student a failing grade.

After receiving the failing grade, the student sent an apology email—also drafted using AI—which Cicirelli quickly recognized.

He wrote, “I just failed a student for submitting an AI-written research paper, and she sent me an obviously AI-written email apologizing, asking if there is anything she can do to improve her grade. We are through the looking-glass, folks.”

The post has since sparked widespread reactions, with many users weighing in on the ethical implications of using AI in academic work.

Reacting to the post…

@PadmaC18: “I have had this happen to me. I am thinking that having students read aloud with attention to syntax, diction, pacing and pause-reading aloud a sentence well with no dramatics-maybe the only urgent teaching goal. Have him/her read aloud a passage:).”

@Sad_Liberal: “As someone who does not often encounter AI writing, it’s hard to understand how an apology email could be obviously AI-written (not challenging your conclusion).”

@joozie75: “was it obviously AI as a standalone paper or only in the context of other knowledge of the student. I didn’t think it was possible to tell with any certainty that any content is AI generated.”

@AaronGogley: “Out of curiosity, how did you determine it was AI written? And I assume the apology actually confessed to it?”