Emory University Suspends Two Students After Awarding Them $10,000 for Innovative AI Study Tool

AI Integration Challenges: Emory University Case Study

Many individuals and organizations are grappling with how to effectively integrate AI into their daily operations. A striking example of this struggle emerged at Emory University, where students initially received a $10,000 entrepreneurship prize for their AI-powered studying tool, Eightball, only to face suspension shortly thereafter, according to 404 Media.

Eightball enabled students to convert coursework and readings into practice tests and flashcards. It seamlessly integrated with Canvas, Emory’s course management platform, allowing students to access lectures and slides without needing to upload multiple PDFs. A demo video likened Eightball to ChatGPT, specifically tailored to course content.

In November 2023, Emory's Honor Council accused Eightball's creators of cheating, plagiarism, and violating the Honor Code, despite the students' clear communication about the tool's capabilities. The Council alleged that Eightball connected to Canvas without permission, although this integration had been acknowledged during the initial competition in Spring 2023. An investigation ultimately cleared the students of any wrongdoing, confirming that Eightball had not facilitated cheating.

Despite this, the Honor Council recommended a year-long suspension for one student, Benjamin Craver, and expulsion for the other co-creator. The Council's director labeled the situation as "unprecedented," citing potential harm to the university community. Craver faced a suspension for the summer and fall 2024 semesters, a mark on his permanent record, and the requirement to complete an educational program. His co-creator received a one-year suspension.

On May 20, Craver filed a lawsuit against Emory, detailing the development of Eightball, support from faculty, and promotional articles in the university newspaper. The lawsuit also included testimonials from the associate dean of the business school, who praised Eightball and facilitated connections with outside entrepreneurs. "While nothing about Eightball changed, Emory's view of it shifted dramatically," the lawsuit stated. Emory itself acknowledged that no evidence existed indicating Eightball was ever used for cheating, and it continues to highlight the tool as a model of student innovation and entrepreneurship.