AI cheating surges in schools as California's ageing crisis looms
California's population is ageing rapidly, with major shifts expected over the next few decades. By 2040, one in four residents will be over 60, while the median age will climb from 28 in 1970 to over 45 by 2060. Meanwhile, author Lionel Shriver's latest novel, A Better Life, has sparked debate by questioning the widely held view that immigrants seeking opportunity are automatically heroic.
Separately, schools are grappling with a rise in AI-assisted cheating, as students increasingly turn to tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to bypass assignments.
California's demographic changes are driven by three key factors: high life expectancy, steep housing costs, and declining birth rates. The state's over-65 population has already surpassed those aged 25-34, a trend set to accelerate. By 2060, the median age will exceed 45, marking a stark contrast to the younger population of 1970.
In literature, Lionel Shriver's new book challenges the romanticised narrative of migration. A Better Life critiques the assumption that moving for a better future is always noble, a theme consistent with her past works. Shriver often dissects middle-class values and liberal ideals with sharp satire.
Schools, however, face a more immediate issue. AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot are now commonplace for student cheating. Detection software exists but remains costly and unreliable. Educator Neetu Arnold proposes a solution: more in-class assessments to reduce opportunities for dishonesty.
California's ageing population will reshape its economy and social services in the coming decades. Schools, on the other hand, must adapt to the growing challenge of AI-assisted cheating. Meanwhile, Shriver's novel adds to the ongoing discussion about migration, questioning long-held assumptions about its moral weight.
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