A recent report aimed at modernizing the education system in Newfoundland and Labrador has raised concerns about the presence of fictitious sources, potentially generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The Education Accord NL final report, released last month, outlines a strategic plan spanning 10 years to enhance the quality of public schools and post-secondary institutions in the province. However, it includes references to around 15 nonexistent journal articles and documents.
One instance involves a citation to a supposed 2008 film titled “Schoolyard Games” by the National Film Board, which does not exist according to the board’s spokesperson. This particular citation matches content from a University of Victoria style guide that features fake references intended as models for researchers compiling bibliographies.
Josh Lepawsky, the former head of the Memorial University Faculty Association who left the report’s advisory board earlier this year, criticized the flawed process that led to the report’s creation, highlighting the presence of misleading references. The 418-page Education Accord NL report, unveiled in August by co-chairs Anne Burke and Karen Goodnough, along with Education Minister Bernard Davis, took 18 months to complete.
Following the revelation of the inaccuracies, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development acknowledged the errors in the citations and announced plans to correct them in the online version of the report. Meanwhile, speculation has emerged regarding the potential involvement of generative AI technology in producing the fabricated sources, as some educators suspect.
Sarah Martin, a political science professor at Memorial, expressed disbelief upon discovering several fictitious citations in the report, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in educational policy documents. The issue has sparked discussions about the ethical use of AI and the necessity of authenticating information through legitimate sources.
The report includes a recommendation calling for the provision of essential AI knowledge, including ethics, data privacy, and responsible technology use, to learners and educators in Newfoundland and Labrador. Davis has pledged to review the report’s recommendations by the end of the fiscal year, contingent on the outcome of the upcoming provincial election.