UC Berkeley Professor Admits Using AI for Op-Ed Editing

AI Assistance in Op-Ed Creation

Zvezdelina Stankova, a math professor at the University of California, Berkeley, confirmed that she used artificial intelligence to assist in editing an op-ed for the San Francisco Standard. The article discussed a "severe" math deficiency among her students, attributing it partly to the UC system's test-blind admissions policy.

Detection and Admission

Journalists from the Daily Californian, Berkeley's student newspaper, noted the op-ed's language resembled AI-generated text. They used AI-detection software, Pangram, which reported that 33% of the op-ed was either generated or assisted by AI. Following this, Stankova admitted to using AI software to "help edit the piece," clarifying that the article was the result of "several hundred person-hours of intensive human work," with approximately 80 hours being her own direct contribution.

Role of AI and Editorial Stance

Stankova explained that AI was used to locate "numerous documents and articles related to the initiative" but maintained that "all analysis is the result of the team members." The San Francisco Standard, the publisher, stated that while AI may assist, their expectation is for humans to be responsible for every published word, believing the op-ed reflected the author's original analysis and expertise.

Broader Debate on AI in Academia

The professor's admission has ignited a discussion on social media concerning the use of AI by academics. Critics found the use of AI ironic given the op-ed's subject matter, while others defended Stankova, arguing that the AI usage was not a significant issue and distracted from the core argument about student preparedness and standardized testing.