Artificial Intelligence and Grade Inflation. CSHE Higher Education Working Paper Series. Vol 26-3 | Center for Studies in Higher Education

Skip to main content

Artificial Intelligence and Grade Inflation. CSHE Higher Education Working Paper Series. Vol 26-3

Abstract:<br>Generative AI tools can undermine the informational value of grades by performing graded course tasks. I analyze the impact of AI on grade distributions across more than 500,000 grades at a large research university from 2018 to 2025 using a difference-in-differences design. Courses with more AI-exposed tasks, such as writing and coding, saw substantial grade increases after ChatGPT’s release: the share of A grades rose by 13 percentage points, or about 30% relative to the 2022 baseline. These increases were larger where homework carried greater weight, consistent with AI substituting for student work rather than broad learning gains from AI.

Author:<br>Igor Chirikov

Publication date:<br>May 13, 2026

Publication type:<br>Higher Education Working Paper

Document

https://escholarship.org/uc/item/80x8d3qd

Topics

Academic Discipline topic page

Teaching and Learning topic page