Summary
While vendors often claim high accuracy of their AI detection tools, faculty experience and independent research have shown mixed results. OIT conducted an assessment of AI detection tools in summer 2025 and found that many CU Boulder faculty perceive these tools as inconsistent and biased. Reflecting these sentiments, the majority of CU’s peer institutions in the AAU do not endorse AI detection technologies and caution against their use, citing both ethical and pedagogical concerns.
In response to faculty interest in transparency tools as alternatives to AI detection, OIT coordinated two vendor-led information sessions for Turnitin Clarity in October 2025. As an add-on to Turnitin Feedback Studio, Clarity is designed to support writing instruction by providing visibility into the student writing process. In a follow-up survey to the information sessions, some faculty indicated interest in exploring Clarity further to support student writing and academic integrity.
To address these instructional needs, OIT launched a pilot of Turnitin Clarity for the spring 2026 semester. The goal was to assess Clarity’s usability, pedagogical value, accessibility, and overall impact on teaching and learning. Findings from the pilot will be shared with advisory groups and IT governance to help determine next steps.
Results
The pilot provided an opportunity to explore the potential of authorship tools in supporting writing instruction and academic integrity. While initial interest in Turnitin Clarity was sufficient to support a pilot, participation and engagement during implementation were limited. Furthermore, feedback from faculty participants suggested that while the tool offered useful visibility into the student writing process, concerns remained regarding usability, workflow integration, and Clarity’s ability to address concerns about AI use.
As a result, the pilot did not provide sufficient evidence to support broader institutional adoption at this time. OIT will continue to monitor faculty needs, developments in AI-related technologies, and changes in institutional practices and may revisit authorship or AI detection tools if future needs warrant additional assessment.
Process
OIT designed the pilot as a limited assessment to evaluate Turnitin Clarity in authentic instructional settings while minimizing cost, support requirements, and implementation risk. Faculty interested in the tool were recruited through vendor-led information sessions and campus outreach efforts. Participating instructors received onboarding, training resources, and ongoing support throughout the semester. To understand how the tool functioned in practice, OIT collected feedback from faculty and students, monitored support requests, and coordinated with the Digital Accessibility Office to evaluate accessibility considerations. Findings from these activities informed the final assessment and recommendations regarding institutional adoption.
Launch
Following the integration of Clarity into the LMS, OIT worked with participating faculty to support implementation and onboarding. Activities included:
- Hosting vendor-led onboarding sessions.
- Providing technical documentation and quick-start resources for faculty and students.
- Establishing support and escalation processes for technical issues.
- Monitoring usage and responding to participant questions throughout the semester.
Evaluation
OIT evaluated the pilot using multiple sources of evidence, including:
- Periodic faculty check-ins.
- End-of-semester faculty and student surveys.
- An accessibility review of the tool conducted in partnership with the Digital Accessibility Office.
- Review of usage and operational data collected both in-house and provided by the vendor.
Findings from these activities were synthesized into a final assessment report and recommendations for leadership and IT governance.
OIT Technical & Business Operating Principles
- User experience matters: Through the pilot, assess the tool’s effects on the student writing experience and the impact on faculty workflow and grading.
- Security is foundational: Keep the pilot small and controlled in order to allow for a thorough security review while minimizing exposure to risk during implementation and use.
- Strategically use governance: Collect and analyze usage data and feedback to support leadership and IT governance in informed decision making.
- Innovate where it matters: Address a critical instructional need by supporting faculty and students in navigating the challenges of AI writing in education.
- Understand higher ed landscape: Further our commitment to supporting evolving pedagogical practices and student expectations in the context of AI and academic integrity.
Project Participants and Roles
- Ann Ruether, Academic Technology Professional
- Raj Singh, LMS Administrator
- Rebecca Kallemeyn, Program Manager for Academic Technology Initiatives, Consulting & Training
- Kortney Russell, Graduate Research Assistant
- Jessica George, Academic Technology Professional
