Turnitin Enhances Critical Thinking with New AI Paraphrasing Detection Feature

Turnitin, a leading provider of academic integrity technology solutions, has introduced an AI paraphrasing detection feature within its AI writing capabilities. This new tool helps educators and publishers identify when AI paraphrasing tools have been used to modify AI-generated text to evade detection.

With the rise of generative AI tools, maintaining original critical thinking in education and research writing has become more challenging. Students and researchers may use AI paraphrasing to alter AI-generated text from large language models, making it appear original to educators and publishers. A recent study by Tyton Partners found that students outpace educators and administrators in their use of generative AI tools, with 59 percent of students using them regularly, compared to about 40 percent of educators and administrators.

Turnitin's AI paraphrasing detection feature addresses this issue by detecting instances of AI-paraphrased text. This capability enables educators and researchers to engage in constructive discussions with writers about ethical writing practices and proper paraphrasing techniques.

“AI has incredible potential to benefit education but writers need to be transparent in how they use Generative AI,” said Annie Chechitelli, chief product officer, Turnitin. “Applying AI paraphrasing to AI-generated content is likely a sign that the writer is trying to hide their use of AI, which is the opposite of transparency. Turnitin provides the tools and insights to preserve the value of original work."

In early 2023, Turnitin introduced its AI writing detector and report, building on over 25 years of expertise in academic writing integrity. Since its launch, Turnitin has reviewed over 200 million papers, revealing that more than 22 million papers, or around 11 percent of the total, contain at least 20 percent AI-generated content. Additionally, over six million papers, approximately 3 percent of the total, contain at least 80 percent AI-generated content.

Turnitin’s AI writing detection is integrated into Turnitin Originality, offering a seamless user experience. iThenticate users can access this feature by separately licensing AI writing capabilities. When enabled, AI writing detection, including AI paraphrasing detection, automatically checks each submission for both AI writing and AI paraphrasing. The AI paraphrasing detection feature identifies sections where a text spinner was likely used on AI-generated text, providing insights into the construction of the writing. It offers an overall percentage of the document that is likely AI-generated, along with a breakdown of text that is likely AI-generated and text that may have been both AI-generated and AI-paraphrased.

Since its introduction, Turnitin’s AI writing detection feature has bolstered academic integrity in the evolving educational landscape. It has been honored with the 2024 Bett Award in the “AI in Education” category and named Best in Show by Tech & Learning at ISTE 2023.