AI and Educational Changes Are Creating Dishonest High School Graduates
Source: Auguste Meyrat. "AI Is Rewarding High School Grads for Being Dishonest Frauds." June 1, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that artificial intelligence and changes in school programs are making it too easy for students to cheat their way to top grades. He believes today's best students aren't actually smarter - they're just better at using AI to do their work and taking advantage of easier classes that don't catch cheating.
Conclusion
Today's top high school graduates are distinguished primarily by their willingness to cheat using AI and exploit weak educational programs, rather than by genuine academic achievement
Premises
- Students are now using AI to write graduation speeches and complete assignments without detection
- The shift from AP courses to dual-credit programs eliminates standardized testing that previously exposed cheating
- Dual-credit programs have lighter workloads and less oversight, making cheating easier
- SAT tests have been made easier to accommodate weaker students, reducing their ability to expose academic fraud
- Teachers and professors are reluctant to challenge or fail students who cheat, maintaining institutional illusions
- Unlike past cheaters who needed intelligence to avoid detection, current students simply submit AI-generated work directly
Assumptions
- Academic integrity is essential for genuine education and student development
- Standardized testing serves as an important check against academic dishonesty
- AI-generated work represents cheating rather than a legitimate educational tool
- Past educational systems were more effective at maintaining academic standards
- The current system's incentives prioritize appearance over substance