The development of generative artificial intelligence has disrupted our work methods and our relationship with creation. With AI models like ChatGPT, which evolve every day, our daily lives are becoming increasingly automated.

However, the increasingly advanced capabilities of ChatGPT raise several questions in educational, research, and creative fields. These AIs are known for learning from existing content, but what about the plagiarism and authenticity of these generated contents? Can we be sure that these models produce original work, or do they simply rephrase existing texts?

In this article, we will explore the issue in order to provide a comprehensive overview of ChatGPT's writing capabilities. We will also provide you with some tips on how to use it wisely and ethically.

Summary:

How does ChatGPT produce its content?

Why is using ChatGPT considered plagiarism?

Are there ChatGPT detectors?

How to avoid plagiarism with ChatGPT?

How does ChatGPT produce its content?

To generate its responses, ChatGPT uses written resources from vast databases containing millions, if not billions, of documents found on the internet. When it consults this data, ChatGPT analyzes, records, and transcribes its knowledge by reworking phrases, structures, and combining multiple sources to create the most fluid and human-like response possible. That does not necessarily mean that its content is original. Several points in ChatGPT's writing can be considered an attempt at plagiarism:

Rephrasings may be limited if the question or request posed is very specific. If a response is heavily inspired by specific content, it can be seen as academic plagiarism.
ChatGPT does not cite its sources or does so very little; you need to explicitly ask it to cite them in the text or at the end of the response.

Compilatio Studium, the AI plagiarism checker for students

Are you sure there is no AI content in your writings?

Check for AI

Are ChatGPT's responses unique?

The ChatGPT model strives to provide unique and varied responses, but if multiple people ask it the same question, the answers will be the same with a few variations.

The information it would provide would remain the same, only the way of expressing it would change. This can be explained for several reasons:

Common database: As explained previously, ChatGPT uses databases containing billions of documents, but the more precise the query, the more precise the search will be. The number of available sources will then quickly become limited.
Limited sources: The databases used to train ChatGPT are dated from 2021, any content created after this date is unknown to it. With new updates, ChatGPT now has access to more recent data and free access to the internet, so it can perform real-time searches.

How to improve ChatGPT's responses?

When you want to use ChatGPT effectively, you need to apply good prompt engineering practices, the way you communicate with language models. To help you with your next queries, here are some tips to get more original and accurate responses:

Specify your request: ChatGPT understands your requests literally, to get an accurate response, you need to provide as much context as possible. Be meticulous about the details of your request and the expected outcomes, leave nothing to chance.
Source your requests: If you want to get a response on a specific topic, provide your sources, in text or link form. With its supercharged analytical capacity, ChatGPT can read documents in seconds.
Give it a role: ChatGPT provides general answers but it is also capable of being very precise if you ask it to embody a character, whether it's a well-known personality or an expert in the field you wish to explore.

Why is using ChatGPT considered plagiarism?

Although ChatGPT and other generative AIs are considered assistance tools, they remain a concern for universities and the teaching staff. Indeed, the way ChatGPT produces content worries academic institutions. Its negligence in citing sources makes it a tool prone to plagiarism and penalizes those who use it. An abusive use of these writing capabilities is also viewed unfavorably. Out of laziness, students often resort to asking AI to generate an entire assignment instead of exploring avenues of thought or putting in creative effort.

Specifically, using ChatGPT would be considered indirect plagiarism or some kind of fraud. So when you want to use a generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or even LLaMa, systematically examine their responses to confirm their accuracy, ask the AI to cite its sources, and even go verify their origin. If you develop these reflexes now, you will know how to use these tools to their full potential without making mistakes and being accused of cheating with ChatGPT.

Are there ChatGPT detectors?

With the rise of ChatGPT, detecting AI-generated content has become mandatory for educators and writing professionals. That's why Compilatio, a pioneer in plagiarism detection for 20 years, offers a Plagiarism Checker for teachers, Plagiarism software for students and ChatGPT detector.

How reliable is the Compilatio ChatGPT detector?

The Compilatio ChatGPT detector demonstrates excellent reliability, with an accuracy rate of 98.5%.

A multilingual solution

In addition to analyzing any text in French, the Compilatio ChatGPT detector is equally effective with the main European languages: Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, English, etc., as well as others languages from around the world: Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish, etc.

This capability makes it a significant ally in multilingual disciplines and international institutions.

Technology and scalable databases

In order to detect ChatGPT and all AI-generated content, Compilatio regularly trains its detection engine. Also, to detect plagiarism in parallel with AI, Compilatio uses databases composed of over 600 million documents like scientific publications, content from professional publishers, or student articles that evolve each year. From 2023 to 2024, the content indexed in Compilatio's database increased by 150%. With coverage that encompasses billions of web pages, Compilatio ensures that no content will be reused or modified.

How to avoid plagiarism with ChatGPT?

As repeated several times, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool to accelerate research, creativity, or simplify basic tasks. However, if you wish to exploit it to its full potential, you must imperatively adopt a responsible and healthy use of the tool.

Establish a legal framework for healthy use

When you wish to use ChatGPT in your work habits, make sure you are authorized to provide AI-generated content. Whether you are in a professional or academic setting, your supervisors may issue a disapproving opinion on the use of this technology. In other cases, the use of AI may be permitted for research only or for content generation if it is credited. Transparency in your work methods will always be beneficial to you and will be the foundation of trust between you and your superiors.

If you are allowed to use artificial intelligence in your work, be careful not to become dependent on it or rely solely on it. Consider ChatGPT as a complementary tool and not as the solution to everything. An excessive use will quickly be noticed due to the errors made by AI but also due to the lack of personalization you could have brought to your output. These models should not replace you but rather enhance your efforts.

Ensuring the originality of your content

As described above, letting AI do the work for you will not bring you anything good. On the contrary, you must make your work shine through your authenticity and personal knowledge. Whether you use ChatGPT for writing or research, carefully review its responses and verify their relevance by cross-referencing your sources. Then add your own touch, as this will create a perfect balance between the acceleration of AI and the originality of the content.

Do not hesitate to use safeguards such as an AI checker. With this initial correction on your part, you ensure the best possible result and add an extra layer of authenticity and engagement by adhering to the established rules. Through these good practices, you minimize the risk of being accused of plagiarism and ensure the quality of your work.

If ChatGPT and generative AIs have revolutionized the way we work, excessive use can quickly lead to dependency risks that compromise your thinking and limit your development.

To avoid becoming dependent on ChatGPT, see it as a starting point that will need to be systematically revised. As a result, you will continue to develop your writing skills and your writing style.

Finally, detection tools will one day be so advanced that even if you modify a text generated artificially, the software will still detect it. So, to avoid wasting time and becoming addicted to ChatGPT, use all the tools at your disposal, develop your skills by intelligently using generative AI, and cover your bases by using an AI detector.