Turnitin’s AI writing detection is part of Turnitin Originality. iThenticate users can access it by licensing AI writing capabilities separately. When AI writing detection is enabled, including AI paraphrasing detection, it automatically checks each submission for both AI writing and AI paraphrasing.

Turnitin’s AI paraphrasing detection feature highlights where within the submission a text spinner was likely applied to AI writing, giving insights into how the writing was constructed. It shows an overall percentage of the document that was likely AI-generated, including both a breakdown percentage of text that was likely AI-generated and text that was likely AI-generated and may have also been AI paraphrased.

This feature helps educators and publishers identify when AI paraphrasing tools may have been used to modify AI-generated text to avoid detection.

With the proliferation of generative AI tools, ensuring original critical thinking in education and research writing has become increasingly challenging.

Writers, including students and researchers, may use AI paraphrasing to modify AI-generated text created by large language models, leading educators and publishers to believe that the work is original.

A recent study conducted by Tyton Partners found that students continue to lead educators and administrators in their use of generative AI tools. Fifty-nine percent of students are regular users (monthly or more) compared to approximately 40% of educators and administrators.

Turnitin's AI paraphrasing detection feature helps address this issue by identifying instances where AI paraphrasing may have been used to modify AI-generated text.

The AI paraphrasing detection feature can spark discussions among educators and researchers to initiate constructive conversations with writers about the importance of ethical writing practices and proper paraphrasing techniques.

“AI has incredible potential to benefit education, but writers need to be transparent in how they use Generative AI,” suggests Turnitin chief product officer Annie Chechitelli. “Applying AI paraphrasing to AI-generated content is likely a sign that the writer is trying to hide their use of AI, which is the opposite of transparency. Turnitin provides the tools and insights to preserve the value of original work."

“Education and technology are today intertwined, and with that comes the need to strike the right balance between academic integrity and the increasing use of generative AI. The ability to empower educators and their invaluable experience to create an environment of transparency, that promotes original thinking and work while integrating the responsible use of generative AI tools, is foundational to find that balance,” says Turnitin regional vice president for Asia Pacific regional vice president James Thorley.

In early 2023, Turnitin launched its AI writing detector and report, leveraging over 25 years of experience in understanding and safeguarding academic writing.

Of the over 200 million papers reviewed since the launch, Turnitin data shows:

- Over 22 million papers (approximately 11% of over 200 million) have at least 20% AI writing present

- Over six million papers (approximately 3% of over 200 million) have at least 80% AI writing present