AI-driven cheating rampant at Princeton, honor code under strain
A 2025 survey of Princeton seniors found that 29.9% admitted to cheating on at least one assignment or exam, with most violations involving generative AI. The rate is higher among engineering students (40.8%) than arts students (26.4%). Princeton's honor code, dating to 1893, prohibits professors from proctoring exams and requires students to report peers who cheat. However, a culture of not "snitching" and the ease of using AI on cell phones have rendered the system ineffective. An opinion piece in the Daily Princetonian highlighted the strain on the honor code.
Key facts
- 29.9% of Princeton seniors admitted to cheating in 2025 survey
- 40.8% of engineering (BSE) students cheated vs 26.4% of BA students
- Most cheating involves generative AI
- Princeton's honor code dates to 1893
- Professors do not proctor exams under the honor code
- Students must pledge honor on each test
- Students are honor-bound to report cheaters
- Culture of not snitching undermines the system
Entities
Institutions
- Princeton University
- Daily Princetonian
- The Princetonian
- Honor Committee
- Committee on Discipline
- Rutgers University
- Princeton economics department
- Princeton history department
- Fizz
Locations
- Princeton
- New Jersey
- United States