Academic Writing and AI Detection
Staff have access to a range of tools to support students in developing their academic writing, encourage good academic practice, and help staff address potential academic integrity concerns where appropriate. One of these tools is Turnitin's AI detection feature.
When to use AI detection
The University of Bristol has enabled Turnitin’s AI detection tool to support academic integrity. However, staff are advised to use the tool only when concerns arise, as academic integrity is best supported through effective assessment design, as explained in our AI in education policy statement.
Turnitin's AI detection feature
Turnitin’s AI detection is available within Turnitin assignments and can also be enabled for assignments submitted through Blackboard and FeedbackFruits.
This tool analyses submitted text and provides an estimate, in the form of an AI writing score, of the proportion of content that may have been generated using AI writing tools. This score is an indicator rather than evidence of AI use. It should not be interpreted as proof that AI has been used and must always be considered alongside assignment settings, academic judgement and the wider context of the assessment. The score can provide additional information to support discussions between students and staff about writing processes, responsible AI use, and academic integrity.
Although AI detection can contribute to academic integrity processes, it is pedagogically most effective when used as a formative tool to support learning, foster reflection, and help students develop their academic writing skills.
Difference between similarity checking and AI detection
Similarity checking compares a student submission against sources in the Turnitin database – which include websites, online journals, newspapers and e-books, as well as student work submitted either at Bristol or other institutions – and highlights matching sections of text.
AI detection analyses a student submission and estimates whether part of the text might be AI generated, providing a score that is only available to the instructor.
What happens if Turnitin flags a student’s work
An AI writing score is one source of information that instructors may consider when reviewing a student's work. However, on its own, it is not evidence of academic misconduct and should not be considered without the wider context of the assessment category, alongside other evidence and academic judgement.
Where concerns are raised, they should be based on a holistic review of the work. A referral for academic integrity investigation would typically occur only where there is additional evidence suggesting that the submitted work may not be the student's own original work.