prestigious high school in Queens, New York, is cracking down on artificial intelligence use in assignments by banning typed summer essays.

Townsend Harris High School will now require students to write their summer reading essays by hand in class during the first weeks of September, instead of typing them at home, according to a report in New York Post. The move is designed to stop students from using AI tools like ChatGPT, which the school says can be used to cheat.

“We've noticed too much use of artificial intelligence in the past and think in-class will allow for a more authentic representation of student thinking,” English teacher Brian Sweeney told The Classic, the school's student newspaper.

The change has sparked debate on campus. Some students say it is unfair to penalise everyone for the misuse by a few. “I think it's unfair that we are being held accountable for other students misusing AI,” one student told The Classic, while others worry it will disadvantage those who struggle to write quickly.