Confessions of an Academic Misstep: Embracing My Humanity

Greetings, readers!

Today, I’d like to share a reflective piece inspired by a moment of vulnerability and introspection. It centers around the temptation of using Artificial Intelligence for academic purposes and the yet-to-be-realized impacts it can have on our integrity. Let’s delve into this thought-provoking essay.

Dear Professor Blank,

Allow me to start with an earnest declaration: I am human.

In all honesty, what I submitted might not fully echo that truth.

If I were to ponder the ethics of my actions, there’s a definite possibility I’ve stepped over a line—one that holds personal significance for me.

Hence, I find myself in a place of seeking your understanding.

Why now, you might ask?

Perhaps it’s out of a desire to confront my own actions before you draw attention to them; maybe it’s simply acknowledging the uncomfortable truth.

I made a mistake.

A transgression over a mere 200 words.

Isn’t it disheartening that I opted to compromise my academic integrity just to fulfill a requirement that barely evaded me?

It’s essential to recognize the driving force behind my actions—the overwhelming urge to succeed in my studies. To pass this course, this semester, and ultimately, my degree.

When I step back to examine this impulse, it feels disconcerting and raises questions about my values.

There’s a part of me crying out, affirming my humanity.

I assure you, I am indeed human!

I am not deceiving you; I pledge this wholeheartedly.

Yet, I can already hear your response: “But you claimed this work was your own. You were not honest.”

And to that, I must agree—yes, you’re absolutely right.

Beyond the physicality of my body, what constitutes my essence?

I exist in a world filled with digital distractions, incessantly responding to the prompts of computers.

My skeletal framework, muscles, and skin react to the stimuli of my environment—mainly the array of devices that dominate my reality.

There are no wild beasts to evade.
No lush fields to tread upon.
Just the constant hum of technology enveloping me.

So here’s the thing:

I am human.
I am amidst a sea of screens.

And you, my professor, are too.

With that context in mind, I find myself asking if it’s possible to earn extra credit for another assignment. Or, might I have the opportunity to res