Suspected use of AI for HKU doctoral thesis
發佈日期: 2025-11-10 23:12
TVB News
The University of Hong Kong launched a formal investigation into a published doctoral thesis suspected of containing information generated by AI.
This as the institution stressed it has given its utmost attention to the incident citing its serious nature.
The controversial paper, titled "Forty years of fertility transition in Hong Kong", was published by Springer Nature in an academic journal.
Several of the document's hyperlinks were listed as "not found", with many accusing the author for using AI to write the paper.
Those involved in writing the doctoral thesis include Professor Yip Siu-fai from the university's social work and social administration department and PhD student Bai Yiming.
HKU emphasised its concern towards the accusation, adding that the university has already launched an investigation into the matter.
The institution said it will follow up on possible research-related mistakes and stressed HKU's prioritisation of academic integrity, while noting that strict guidelines exist for AI use in terms of research.
Several of the city's universities, such as Lingnan University, have not banned their students from using the technology, and allowed them to use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Deepseek since the start of the 2023 school year under certain conditions.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Productivity Council Chief Technology Officer Lawrence Cheung believes the city's academic institutions should regulate AI use as soon as possible.
He raised concerns that some may take advantage of the fledgling technology and exploit gray areas.
