Students at Emory University in the US created an innovative AI-powered app called Eightball to improve the learning experience, but faced charges and suspension for allegedly violating university rules.
AI in learning
The essence of the Eightball project
Eightball is a web resource where you can upload educational materials and receive association cards. These mind maps visualize information, structure it and demonstrate the relationships between various aspects, which, according to the authors, should contribute to better learning by students. The developers positioned the application as a tool for learning, and not for creating cheat sheets.
Launch and success of the startup
The Eightball project was launched in April 2023 and is highly regarded at Emory University. The achievements of student creators were covered in university publications and social networks. As a result, the startup won the Pitch the Summit competition and received $10,000 in prize money. Further development of the application was planned, including the introduction of an AI teacher to answer questions.
Consequences and legal action
Despite the initial success, the university soon accused the developers of violating "Code of Honor" and demanded that Eightball be closed immediately. Two students were suspended for the semester, and posts about the project were removed. One of the founders, Benjamin Craver, sued, seeking $75,000 in damages. He denies the fraud allegations and fears the incident will derail his plans to go to law school.
Glossary
- Emory University is a prestigious private research university located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technological solutions that imitate human cognitive functions, such as perception, learning, reasoning and decision making.
- Mind map (mental map, associative map) is a method of visualizing information that presents it in the form of a flow chart with the main idea, main elements and relationships between them.
- The Honor Code is a set of rules and principles governing behavior and ethical standards in the university community.
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Answers to questions
What is Eightball and why is it special?
Why did the Eightball project cause a scandal at the university?
What were the implications for the Eightball developers?
How did the developers defend their project?
What plans did the developers have for developing Eightball?
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Discussion of the topic – Students created a teaching AI, won $10 thousand and were suspended for “fraud”
Emory University students have developed an AI-powered learning app called Eightball. They received $10,000 for their work, but were later suspended for violating the honor code. Now they are demanding compensation of $75 thousand through the court.
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Анастасия
Have you heard that story about the Emory University students who created the AI app Eightball and were subsequently suspended from school? This is just crazy! 🤯 I believe that the university management behaved too harshly and unfairly with these guys. They showed initiative and creativity, and they were punished for it. Shouldn't such projects be encouraged in educational institutions?
Михаил
Yes, the situation is very controversial. On the one hand, the students really showed creativity and ingenuity in creating such a useful application. But on the other hand, if they were accused of violating the code of honor, then there were good reasons for it. Perhaps they were trying to make the learning process easier for themselves in an unscrupulous way. 🤷♂️ I wonder what they will say in court.
Ольга
You know, I think there is nothing terrible here. Students simply helped their fellow students better understand the material with the help of mind maps. This is a completely normal and common practice. And the university management seems to be too conservative when it comes to innovation. After all, artificial intelligence technologies are actively developing and being implemented in many areas of activity. 🤖 Why should education lag behind this?
Сергей
I can't help but join the discussion! Personally, I admire these guys and their creativity. To create such a useful application based on AI and receive an award for it is great! 👏 Well done for developing their talents and not being afraid to go against the system. Perhaps they really committed some violations, but they are still worth supporting.
Григорий
Ugh, those millennials again with their useless apps and gadgets! What does artificial intelligence have to do with it? Just another cheat sheet for lazy students! 😠 In my time, no one helped me study easily - we all crammed notes and books ourselves. No complaints, only discipline and order! And now every second person is trying to make his life easier and deceive the system. Ugh!
Анастасия
@Gregory But you admit that technology is developing, and education must keep up with the times? These students simply found a new, creative way to structure and remember information using AI. Maybe they should have explained the concept of the application better, and then the university management would not have had any questions? 🤔
Мария
You know, I was also shocked by this story! The creators of the application clearly did not expect such a reaction from the university. Apparently, they really believed that they were doing something useful for the educational process. But in the end they were accused of violating the honor code and were suspended from school. 😔 I’m very sorry for the guys, I hope they can defend their case in court.
Виктор
In my opinion, there is nothing criminal here. The students simply tried to introduce new technologies into the educational process. This is progress, isn’t this what we should strive for? 🤷♂️ Of course, the university could have had its own concerns, but was it worth punishing the guys right away? Instead, it was possible to discuss the concept of the application and modify it to meet the requirements of the university. In any case, I am sure that this scandal will only strengthen their spirit and inspire them to new achievements!