1. Overview
Turnitin’s AI Writing Detection tool identifies an overall percentage of likely AI-generated text in a student’s submission, with a report highlighting text segments our model predicts were AI-generated.
2. How to Access the AI Report
The AI detection report is integrated directly into the Turnitin Feedback Studio.
- Open the student’s submission in Canvas.
- Click the blue Similarity Score to open the Feedback Studio.
- In the side navigation bar, look for the blue AI indicator (an icon with a percentage).
- Click the percentage to open the full AI Writing Report.
Note: If you see an asterisk (*%) instead of a number, it means the detected AI content is below the 20% threshold. To avoid false positives, Turnitin does not highlight text for scores below 20%.
3. Technical Requirements & Limitations
For the AI detector to run, the submission must meet the following criteria:
- Word Count: Minimum of 300 words of prose text.
- File Format: Must be .docx, .pdf, .txt, or .rtf.
- Language: Currently optimized for English (additional language support is currently in rolling release for 2026).
- Content Type: The detector only scans long-form prose. It does not reliably detect AI in:
- Bullet-point lists or tables
- Computer code
- Short-form responses (<300 words)
- Poetry or creative writing with unconventional structures
4. Interpreting the Results
The AI score is a data point. It is a data point to inform your professional judgment.
- Low Score (0-19%): No text is highlighted and generally considered "human-written" or containing minor AI assistance.
- Mid-to-High Score (20-70%): Specific segments will be highlighted in blue. Review these areas: Do they sound different from the student's usual voice? Are they overly perfect or generic?
- AI-Paraphrased Sub-score: New for 2026, this flags text that was likely generated by AI and then run through a "humanizer" or paraphrasing tool.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can a student see their AI score?
A: No. By default, the AI Writing Report is only visible to instructors and administrators to ensure scores are interpreted with context before being shared.
Q: Does it detect "Grammarly"?
A: Basic grammar tools usually don't trigger high scores. However, advanced "AI-rewrite" features in Grammarly or Microsoft Editor may contribute to a higher percentage.
Q: What do I do about a False Positive?
A: If a student's work is flagged but you believe it is original, consider their drafting history or hold a brief "viva" (oral exam) to discuss the content. You can report false positives to the Helpdesk to help improve the model.
Resources:
- Interactive walk through of the tool
- Amplify your academic integrity standards with Turnitin Originality
- TurnItIn Instructor FAQ’s
Need further help? Contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@arcadia.edu.
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