Brown University Faces AI Cheating Scandal

Roberto Serrano, an economics professor at Brown University, critiqued the institution’s sluggish response to an AI cheating incident among his students during an earlier semester. In an op-ed for The Free Press, he shared details about his decision to shift a midterm and final exam online after a campus shooting in December. This decision led to an increase in course enrollment, reaching 86 students, compared to the usual 30.

He observed that the average grade on the online midterm was an unprecedented 96, while previous averages ranged from 65 to 80. Forty students achieved perfect scores, and many answers mirrored those generated by ChatGPT.

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Serrano alleged at least 50 students used AI to cheat on the midterm. Consequently, he announced the final exam would revert to an in-person format, and the midterm scores would be subject to being void if inconsistent with final exam scores. The final exam saw participation drop to 59 students, with an average grade of 48.6. Among the 27 students who dropped out before the final, 22 had perfect midterm scores.

Despite presenting his findings to Brown University’s Committee on the Academic Code and the campus paper, Serrano noted a lack of acknowledgment from the university until the issue gained attention last month.

In response, Brown University stated they were “consistently responsive” to the issue, noting interaction with Serrano started in May 2026 regarding formal adjudication of the allegations. Following Serrano’s provision of necessary details in July, the academic code committee began its proceedings.

Serrano originally shared his story with El Pais on June 28 and was contacted by Brown University three days after publication for more evidence. After further dissemination of his story, the university committed to an investigation.

Serrano argued that without public pressure, the university might not have addressed his concerns. He stressed the need to find methods of integrating AI that support the university’s mission.

In his op-ed, Serrano refuted claims that students resort to AI under pressure, citing the ample time given for the midterm as proof of deliberate cheating.

“A competitive environment has existed in society since the dawn of civilization,” Serrano noted. “Using it to excuse cheating is unfounded. With AI facilitating cheating, measures to dissuade such behavior must be implemented.”