- Student athlete-slash-TikToker Olivia Dunne posted a paid partnership video about using AI for homework help.
- Three days after the video was published, LSU made a statement about the power of AI and warned students of academic misconduct.
- Dunne is the third highest-rated student athlete in the US, according to the NIL database.
Louisiana State University is reminding students of its code of conduct after an influencer enrolled at the university promoted the use of an app powered by artificial intelligence for help writing essays.
On Monday, 20-year-old LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne shared a paid engagement video with her more than seven million followers in which she recommends Caktus.ai as a tool to help with writing. in the essay. The 10-second clip garnered more than a million views, and was followed by a statement from LSU on the use of AI for schoolwork afterward, local news reported.
“Need to get my creativity flowing for my essay due at midnight,” read Dunne’s on-screen caption as he showed himself using the program.
The Advocate, a Louisiana-based publication, obtained the following statement from LSU on Thursday:
“At LSU, our professors and students are empowered to use technology for learning and maintain the highest standards of academic integrity,” the statement said. “However, the use of AI to create work that represents a student belonging to another may result in a charge of academic misconduct, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.”
Caktus.ai’s official site says it’s “the first educational artificial intelligence tool” and boasts about its ability to “create polished essays with the help of AI for more understanding.” Unlike his other content, comments for Dunne’s Caktus.ai promotion are disabled. The video received more than 40,000 likes.
Education and AI experts alike highlight the capabilities of programs like Caktus.ai and ChatGPT in the classroom despite general concerns about academic dishonesty.
While it’s unclear how much Dunne was paid to post the video, he has brand deals with American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, and more.
In 2021, a major change in NCAA policy allowed students to make money from their names, images, and likenesses after they fought for decades for the right to do so. The change sparked several brand deals for college athletes, and Dunne was among the top earners.
According to the On3 database of student athletes and their Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) valuation, Dunne is the third highest valued athlete at over $3 million. The gymnast follows basketball player Lebron “Bronny” James Jr., the son of NBA icon Lebron James; and football player Archie Manning Jr., whose uncles Peyton and Eli were star NFL quarterbacks.