Professor's 'Moreover' AI Detection Claim Sparks Outrage Among Students
A university professor has ignited a fierce debate after claiming that a single word can prove a student has used artificial intelligence in their academic work. Matt Prince, who teaches influencer marketing and personal branding at Chapman University's School of Communication, asserted that the inclusion of the word 'moreover' is a clear sign of inauthentic student writing.
The Controversial Assertion
In a TikTok video shared on his profile, Prince made the sensational claim that if students use 'moreover' in their submissions, there is a '99.9 percent chance AI has written it.' He elaborated by stating, 'I have never heard a 20-year-old use the word moreover in their life, but I've seen the word moreover show up in a bunch of submissions this semester.'
Prince concluded his video by urging students to carefully review their work before submission to ensure it sounds authentic. 'I love AI but make sure you're using it to help you and aid you in your process of thinking and not replacing it,' he added, emphasising the importance of maintaining personal voice in academic writing.
Immediate Backlash and Criticism
The professor's comments immediately drew significant backlash from social media users who questioned whether students could face penalties simply for possessing a strong vocabulary. One critic argued, 'Moreover is such a basic transition word. I knew that one in junior high!'
Another commenter noted, 'Moreover, thus, furthermore, in accordance and therefore are in my vocabulary though,' highlighting common academic transition words. A third responded with frustration, stating, 'The bar is in hell if students can't use the word moreover in a college paper. Are they now supposed to write papers like they're sending text messages/chatting on the phone?'
Further criticism came from those who pointed out long-standing usage of the word. 'I've been using the word moreover since learning how to write an essay in school... not a good way to tell if something is AI,' added another social media user.
Historical Context of AI Detection Methods
This controversy follows previous reports about linguistic markers potentially indicating AI-generated text. Last year, it was widely reported that em dashes were considered a signal of AI-generated content. An OpenAI employee told the Washington Post at the time, 'We — and ChatGPT — have a soft spot for the em dash. We're continuing to improve ChatGPT's writing abilities to this end.'
Broader Context of AI Usage in Education
Earlier this month, a survey conducted by the Higher Education Policy Institute revealed that artificial intelligence usage among students has become nearly universal. The poll of 1,000 undergraduates found that 95 percent admitted to using AI tools such as ChatGPT when completing academic work.
The data showed significant growth in AI adoption, with 12 percent of students now using AI to generate text for submission — up from eight percent in 2025 and just three percent in 2024. While almost 49 percent of respondents said AI has improved their student experience, 16 percent felt it had made it worse.
Many students expressed concerns about AI's impact on their learning development. One respondent complained, 'It is making us all lazy,' highlighting worries about diminished critical thinking skills. Another noted that AI tools were affecting their ability to develop essential academic competencies.
The debate surrounding Prince's 'moreover' claim underscores broader tensions in academia regarding AI integration, academic integrity, and the evolving nature of student writing in the digital age.
