ChatGPT Is Raising Students' Grades, But Not Their Knowledge

The number of straight-A students at American universities has surged. AI is likely the cause, according to researcher Igor Chirikov, who analyzed over 500,000 grades from one large Texas university spanning 2018–2025.

He split all courses into two groups: "AI-vulnerable," where an AI model can complete assignments for students (essays, coding), and "AI-resistant," where such tasks are rare (math, physics, lab work). Before 2022, grades in both groups were nearly identical. After ChatGPT's launch, A grades in humanities and engineering courses jumped by roughly 30%—especially in courses with heavy homework loads.

Now, Chirikov says, an A grade might mean that a student has access to a more advanced technology model, or is better at using it—rather than measuring the underlying skill.

The most prestigious universities are feeling this the hardest. Harvard, responding to grade "inflation," has proposed capping top marks at 20% per course. Yale framed the problem even more bluntly in an April report:

"Grades exist to communicate what students have learned. At Yale, as at many peer institutions, they no longer do."

Has the grading system become obsolete?

❤️ — Yes, A grades are meaningless now
🔥 — No, but the criteria need updating

@hiaimediaen