AI Use in Universities Fuels Rise in Top Grades Across US and UK

The rapid adoption of artificial‑intelligence tools such as ChatGPT is reshaping university assessment. A recent study cited by The Economist shows that 94 % of undergraduate students in the United Kingdom now use AI for coursework, and 12 % admit to copying text generated by the systems. In the United States, major universities report a similar surge, with top‑grade (A) rates climbing roughly 30 % in subjects that rely on written assignments or coding after AI tools became widespread, while performance in labs and practical courses remains unchanged.

These trends raise questions about the validity of grades and the purpose of higher‑education evaluation. Universities are urged to redesign teaching and assessment methods to test critical thinking, creativity and individual contribution rather than relying solely on written output. The discussion has also reached Greek institutions, where the ethical dimension of AI‑generated work dominates public debate, but concrete policy proposals remain limited.