Waiting, Banning, and Embracing: An Empirical Analysis of Adapting Policies for Generative AI in Higher Education

33 Pages Posted: 25 May 2023 Last revised: 10 Jun 2023

See all articles by Ping Xiao

Ping Xiao

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School

Yuanyuan Chen

University of Alabama

Weining Bao

University of Connecticut

Date Written: May 24, 2023

Abstract

The study provides a comprehensive examination of the current status and the prevailing trend of ChatGPT policies in universities worldwide, focusing on whether universities have implemented policies regarding ChatGPT usage and, if so, whether they choose to ban or embrace this technology. Additionally, this study aims to identify factors influencing a university’s decision regarding its ChatGPT policy. Analyzing data from the top 500 universities in the 2022 QS World University Rankings, we found significant variation in ChatGPT policy implementation. Less than one-third of these universities had implemented such policies. Among universities with policies, approximately 67.4% allowed ChatGPT, twice the number of universities that banned it. Most universities that allowed the use of ChatGPT provided flexibility for instructors. We observed a dispersed geographic distribution of policy implementation. Our empirical analysis identified factors positively associated with a university’s likelihood of having a ChatGPT policy, including academic reputation, location in an English-speaking country, and public sentiment. The possibility of banning ChatGPT was positively associated with faculty-student ratio, citations, and English-speaking country location, while negatively correlated with peer universities' bans. We also discussed the challenges faced by universities that adopted or banned ChatGPT.

Keywords: ChatGPT, University Policy, Generative AI, Peer Effects, Education Sector, Academic Integrity

Suggested Citation

Xiao, Ping and Chen, Yuanyuan and Bao, Weining, Waiting, Banning, and Embracing: An Empirical Analysis of Adapting Policies for Generative AI in Higher Education (May 24, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4458269 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4458269

Ping Xiao (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School ( email )

200 Leicester Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053 3186
Australia

Yuanyuan Chen

University of Alabama ( email )

101 Paul W. Bryant Dr.
Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
United States

Weining Bao

University of Connecticut ( email )

Storrs, CT 06269-1063
United States

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