Many Florida students use AI to cheat. Don’t make yourself a child

School ai

Are students using Generated AI fraud? The answer is complex | Column, February 9th

Do not make yourself a child about AI student use.

For evidence that AI is not increasing fraud, last Sunday’s guest column cites two sources: (1) Turnitin.com. Its business model convincing them that plagiarism can be detected, and that many schools are considered unreliable, and (2) Stanford University in 2023 is already very outdated.

This is the truth from my experience in classrooms with hundreds of students. In face-to-face classes, students rarely cheat. In online courses, students cheat 25%-30% of their time with AI. No high-ranking universities’ “AI detection” software or research studies are required. I know that. Because I read a student’s paper that contains inaccurate and ridiculous claims and sentence structures that humans don’t use. I know that. Because if I believe that I have assigned students to fail grades using AI, they will not refute or make minor complaints to me. This is probably because students are allowed to use AI every time, as they can confirm that they are using AI and submit an honor code violation.

One thing is to argue that students should be taught to use AI responsibly and to shift the educational paradigm and incorporate its usage. Yes, of course, it should. However, it is simple gas lighting for students to use AI to assert that they are not cheating in prohibited situations.

Peter Westmoreland, Professor of Ethics, St. Petersburg University

Please don’t leave

DeSantis, Fake War on Florida State Assemblyman and Immigration | Line, February 9th

Dear immigrants,

Please don’t leave. Fear is real and you have all the rights to leave Florida or this country, but we need you. Many of our basic services depend on you. You work hard and make the Florida economy what it is.

You’re building your life here, starting a business, paying taxes. I want you to stay for selfish reasons – because our party is full of laughter and joy. Because Chulascos is so good – that’s because we need you.

So, before you put your bags and overturn your life, know that citizens like me pray you stay and be safe.

Emily Grant, Bradenton

Lost Democrats

Hillsboro is currently a Republican country. This is why. | February 4th

Have you run to the store easily and picked up a gallon of milk? Does the car in front of you have a proverb bumper sticker with you? It is short, concise and attracts your attention. Deliver the message.

Once you’ve caught the attention of your audience, you can start filling out the details. But first, you need to get their attention. To do this, we recommend that the message must follow the golden rule of kissing. Make it simple and stupid.

Democrats need to define themselves with bumper stickers. Certainly Republicans have it. Voters know what they get when they vote for Republicans. But electors are lost in weeds when it comes to Democrats. Many voters suggest that Democrats view them as resembling a pack of alley cats fighting for scrap. In contrast, Republicans resemble herd dogs who work with shepherds to move their flocks.

I know what Republicans are, but I don’t know what Democrats are. Dem reminds me of a choir where everyone sings another song.

Palm Harbor, Tory Craig

Let go of the rays

Mayor: St. Pete is ready if Rays leaves the deal | February 5th

Their management team has been messing around with the city for years as much as I love Rays and want to see them stay at St. Pete. Both sides call it negotiations. I call it incompetent on the part of local government. After the hurricane damage, it’s time to let go of the rays. Instead of restoring the Tropicana fields, move forward with redevelopment without them. All this time, the city is losing revenue. They are decisive and need to move forward.

David White, Clearwater

Better way

Musk, Doji targets federal agencies | February 3rd

I think it’s strange that President Donald Trump and his team from the Department of Government Efficiency offer a clean sweep of the entire department. This is not in harmony with his recent announcement that federal employees are now on a merit-based system. Using this as a guideline, it makes no sense for Doge to maintain high performance, the best candidate to see individual performance, guide future generations, and facilitate transitions. This knee jerk response proves to me that Trump and Doge don’t have the time to make healthy decisions, just like their regular business management teams. We fear our future under this kind of leadership or under its lack.

Paul Howek, Tampa

USAID

10% of USAID are doing it to help people in need | February 8th

I write about stories in the Tampa Bay Times and elsewhere in the USAID. I am a retired ambassador with 40 years of experience under both Republican and Democrat administrations. Aid has been a force for over 60 years. It has shown American compassion, helped to promote improved global standards of living, and to strengthen American impact and safety.

Less than 1% of the US budget receives support. Much of this is spent in the United States in areas such as agriculture, public health, economics and democratic buildings. Aid programs will be established in White House engagement, top officials of aid, the US State Department and Congress. There is continuous surveillance to prevent abuse.

Perhaps the worst aspect of the crisis is the abolition of the administration against the receiving countries and our own contractors and the US’s commitment to the loyal foreign services department, which have worked for years to keep America great.

If you care about America’s reputation in the world, if you care about good governance, if you care about fair treatment of the brave people who support us, then the funds are Write to the Congress and even the White House to seek recovery for approved aid programs, immediately advocate a full and fair assessment by competent authorities of effectiveness. Millionaire amateurs are not included.

Gulfport, Ambassador Kevin McGuire

Tariffs for all

Florida relies on Canadian visitors. Will Trump’s trade war keep them apart? |Line, February 9th

I know three things:

Life is becoming more expensive. My kids want a new phone, I want a new truck, my wife wants groceries. It seems like the credit card totals are creeping up every month.This economy is immeasurable, and intertwined connections and interdependent complexity are something that the average American doesn’t know.President Donald Trump is a clever man surrounded by clever people, and he is leading the country on a path of prosperity on the promised land. This is someone I want to humbly emulate.

This is why I told my wife. “We need to emulate President Trump. From now on, I’m ordering 25% Tarihuf for groceries. You’re 100 dollars of groceries, you’re paying me $25 . In a rather short order, we’re on a simple street.”

I urge my fellow Americans to follow his lead. This has a snowman effect as an increase in truck purchases stimulates the steel industry and encourages mining and more.

Working together can make America pretty good.

John Nelson, St. Petersburg

Persona Non-Grata

If there is a room, raise your seat to the “enemy of people” meeting | Line, February 9th

Thank you to guest columnist Daniel Ruth for giving me a big laugh during these dark and disturbing times. However, he failed to mention Jesus’ main fake of converting water into wine.

Holly Haley, the new Port Richie