Budget cuts across the sector have lead to a review of software tools at CapU for economy, utility and alignment with teaching and learning priorities. After some consideration and consultation, Capilano University has decided to end the institutional license for Turnitin as of the end of April 2026 (Spring term). It will no longer be available in eLearn for either instructors or students from the beginning of the Summer 2026 term. This decision reflects not only concerns about budget but also privacy and equity as well as the efficacy of the tool in the wake of developments in Generative AI.
On a practical level, Turnitin cannot detect contract cheating, where a third party is hired to create an assignment, and testing shows that its AI detection software (which has not been enabled at CapU) performs little better than a random guess. It only compares the work to previous content in its database, in our case, content that has been previously submitted by CapU students. Similarities are easy to mask by editing or rephrasing content. Non-native English speakers and neurodivergent students are disproportionately flagged in these tools because they have limited paraphrasing vocabulary and weaker editing skills.
Although CapU chose a setup that would avoid storing student work on Turnitin servers, there are still privacy and data concerns around retaining and building a database built entirely on student labour. As these tools evolve, they have been increasingly focused on surveillance and the erosion of privacy safeguards.
In general, the research shows that the use of these tools, especially as a primary mechanism for academic integrity, can shift the focus from teaching to policing, eroding trust, and the relationship between students and faculty. There is strong evidence that better alternatives exist to support academic integrity at a deeper level. Authentic assessment design, scaffolded assignments, a mix of oral and written assessment, and an emphasis on education over surveillance have shown more positive results.
The CTE is ready and able to help you with strategies for making the transition away from Turnitin in your assignments and improving academic integrity in your courses. Please book some time with us for a consultation:
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Sources:
Turnitin / Vanson Bourne, Crossroads: Navigating the Intersection of AI and Academia, 2025. https://www.turnitin.com/blog/the-role-of-ai-detection-in-building-a-trusted-space-for-student-writing
Evaluating the Effectiveness and Ethical Implications of AI Detection Tools in Higher Education, MDPI Information, 16(10), 2025. https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/10/905
Lehane, S., Wright, A., & Fenton, P. (2024). Improving academic integrity through authentic assessment design. Irish Educational Studies https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03323315.2024.2441164
Student Perspectives on Improving Academic Integrity through Authentic Assessment. HEAd’25, Valencia. https://archive.headconf.org/head25/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/20160.pdf
Can we trust academic AI detective? Accuracy and limitations of AI-output detectors, PMC / Acta Neurochirurgica, 167(1):214, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12331776/
Generative AI and Academic Integrity in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda, MDPI Information, 16(4), 2025. https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/4/296
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