Ai Generative Tools Analysis 20250919

Generated: October 23, 2025 at 04:55 AM

Chapter 3 Computational Analysis

CUNY Student Discussions on Generative AI and AI Tools in Learning

Analysis Date: September 19, 2025 Database Coverage: All 8 CUNY subreddit databases

Executive Summary

Analysis of CUNY Reddit discourse reveals significant engagement with generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, in academic contexts. The data shows a complex landscape of affordances and constraints, with students actively navigating institutional policies, academic integrity concerns, and practical learning applications.

Temporal Patterns

ChatGPT Emergence Timeline

  • First mentions: May 2023 (post-ChatGPT public release)
  • Peak discussion periods:
    • June 2024 (end of Spring semester - 6 mentions in one day)
    • January-February 2025 (Spring semester start)
  • Broader AI discussions: Dating back to December 2017, showing pre-generative AI interest

Key Finding

The conversations intensified significantly after ChatGPT’s public release in late 2022, with sustained discussion throughout 2024-2025 academic years.

Major Themes and Evidence

1. AI as Learning Support Tool (Affordances)

Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide

[Evidence: submission_t3_1l5mni6] (Score: 66, Date: Dec 2024) User u/a-slice-of-life32 shares comprehensive study strategy incorporating ChatGPT:

  • “If you’re short on time, use ChatGPT to summarize chapters. I ask: ‘Summarize Section X based on physiology, include all important information.’”
  • “Use ChatGPT or similar to generate multiple-choice quizzes based on the chapter”
  • Demonstrates legitimate pedagogical use for self-assessment and comprehension

Math Learning Support

[Evidence: comment_mxptnmi] (Score: 9) Student recommends: “what I did is put the question in chatgpt and made it explain to me how they got the answer”

  • Shows AI used for understanding process, not just answers
  • Paired with traditional tutoring center resources

Time Management and Study Planning

[Evidence: comment_m9newdm] (Score: 4) ADHD student shares: “Use chatgpt to make a study guide for your course!” [Evidence: comment_lvq6isa] (Score: 3) “Use chatgpt to set up a schedule for studying”

  • AI assists with executive function challenges
  • Accessibility affordance for neurodivergent students

2. Academic Integrity Concerns (Constraints)

Detection and Consequences

[Evidence: submission_t3_1kschym] (Score: 5, Date: Jan 2025) Student confesses: “I got so stressed that I began to use chatgpt sometimes for that class’s work
 I checked the gradebook today and saw I got a 0 for all the classwork”

  • Zybooks platform detected AI use
  • Entire semester’s classwork nullified
  • Shows real consequences for misuse

Professor Perspectives

[Evidence: submission_t3_1czxnex] (Score: 6, Date: May 2024) Machine Learning professor allows ChatGPT with citation requirement but then “graded harshly”

  • Mixed messages about acceptable use
  • Tension between tool adoption and assessment standards

Student Resistance to AI Cheating

[Evidence: submission_t3_1hecp41] (Score: 42, Date: Dec 2024) Student rant: “for those talking trash about the students outperforming you
 we didn’t use ChatGPT—we actually paid attention in lecture”

  • Peer pressure against AI misuse
  • Pride in authentic achievement

3. Institutional Response and Policy Gaps

Turnitin and False Positives

[Evidence: comment_mtvazl4] (Score: 29) “Whenever I check on my essay that I wrote about my personal life experience, AI checker like Turnitin that CUNY professors use said only 75% - 85% original work”

  • Detection tools creating anxiety even for original work
  • Common phrases flagged as AI-generated

Professor Discretion

[Evidence: comment_lsr5q7w] (Score: 5, Date: Oct 2024) Student on Dean’s List admits: “I don’t think I would be able to succeed without ChatGPT” Questions about burden of proof in academic integrity cases

4. Digital Divide and Access

Writing Support Debates

[Evidence: comment_l8evb4r] (Score: 21, Date: June 2024) “If you need chatGPT to write your personal statement, then college will be a waste of time for you”

  • Harsh peer judgment about AI dependency
  • Concerns about preparedness for college-level work

[Evidence: comment_l8euaxr] (Score: 3) Counterpoint: “Whatever you write will likely be acceptable
 start your academic career in your own voice”

  • Emphasis on authentic expression over polished AI output

5. Evolving Pedagogical Integration

Professor Recommendations

[Evidence: comment_mt7ggd7] (Date: Nov 2024) Student reports: “i asked chatgpt for u lol bc i was curious”

  • Casual integration into peer support
  • AI as collaborative research tool

Math Professor’s Problematic Approach

[Evidence: submission_1j9i0w6] (Score: 6, Date: Jan 2025) “the professor
 literally told the class that if we’re having problems with some of the math questions, use ChatGPT”

  • Abdication of teaching responsibility
  • Students recognize inadequate instruction

Student Voice Perspectives

Pro-AI Voices

  • “ChatGPT to be a great therapist” [Evidence: comment_m2p8gdu]
  • Recognition of mental health support potential
  • AI filling gaps in institutional support services

Anti-AI Voices

  • “You freaking morons are parasites to this learning foundation!!!” (regarding cheaters)
  • Strong moral stance against academic dishonesty
  • Community self-policing

Pragmatic Middle Ground

  • [Evidence: comment_l4rn3tp]: “I use AI or Chatgpt only to get ideas so that I can write on my own”
  • Strategic, ethical use as brainstorming tool
  • Maintaining authorial ownership

Institutional Implications

Current Challenges

  1. Policy Vacuum: No consistent CUNY-wide AI use guidelines evident
  2. Detection Problems: False positives creating stress for honest students
  3. Professor Variability: From prohibition to problematic encouragement
  4. Support Gap: Students using AI to fill tutoring/support deficits

Student Needs Revealed

  1. 24/7 Learning Support: AI filling gaps when “institutional help unavailable”
  2. Personalized Tutoring: Explanation of complex concepts on-demand
  3. Executive Function Support: Planning, scheduling, organization tools
  4. Mental Health Resources: AI as accessible first-line support

Recommendations for CUNY

  1. Develop Clear AI Literacy Curriculum
    • Teach ethical, effective AI tool use
    • Distinguish between legitimate support and academic dishonesty
  2. Create Transparent Policies
    • Consistent guidelines across departments
    • Clear consequences and appeals process
  3. Improve Detection Methods
    • Address false positive problems
    • Focus on learning outcomes over surveillance
  4. Expand Support Services
    • 24/7 tutoring to compete with AI availability
    • Better mental health and academic support
  5. Faculty Development
    • Train professors on AI integration
    • Prevent both over-reliance and blanket prohibition

Conclusion

The CUNY Reddit data reveals AI tools as both disruptive force and essential support system. Students navigate complex ethical terrain while using AI to overcome institutional limitations. The discourse suggests need for proactive policy development that acknowledges both affordances (accessibility, personalized learning, 24/7 support) and constraints (academic integrity, skill atrophy, detection challenges). Most critically, the data shows students themselves engaging in sophisticated ethical reasoning about appropriate AI use, suggesting readiness for more nuanced institutional guidance than simple prohibition or laissez-faire approaches.

Data Sources

  • 8 CUNY subreddit databases
  • 500+ posts/comments mentioning AI tools
  • Timeline: 2017-2025 (with focus on 2023-2025 post-ChatGPT era)
  • Primary tool focus: ChatGPT (most discussed), with mentions of GPT, Claude, Copilot
Evidence References (12 items) ▶

Comments (10)

Submissions (2)