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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has paved the way for revolutionary decision-making processes, which if harnessed appropriately, can contribute to advancements in various sectors, from healthcare to economics. However, its black box nature presents significant ethical challenges related to bias and transparency. AI applications are hugely impacted by biases, presenting inconsistent and unreliable findings, leading to significant costs and consequences, highlighting and perpetuating inequalities and unequal access to resources. Hence, developing safe, reliable, ethical, and Trustworthy AI systems is essential. Our team of researchers working with Trustworthy and Responsible AI, part of the Transdisciplinary Scholarship Initiative within the University of Calgary, conducts research on Trustworthy and Responsible AI, including fairness, bias mitigation, reproducibility, generalization, interpretability, and authenticity. In this paper, we review and discuss the intricacies of AI biases, definitions, methods of detection and mitigation, and metrics for evaluating bias. We also discuss open challenges with regard to the trustworthiness and widespread application of AI across diverse domains of human-centric decision making, as well as guidelines to foster Responsible and Trustworthy AI models., Comment: 44 pages, 2 figures

Purpose: This report summarizes existing research related to academic integrity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion, with a particular focus on individuals with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disabilities. It provides an overview of the literature up to and including August 2021, highlighting key issues and existing gaps. The literature review is supplemented with a discussion of key issues and recommendations for practice. Methods: Our research question (RQ) was: What does the research literature show about academic integrity and related terms (i.e., academic misconduct, academic dishonesty, and plagiarism) in students with disabilities (i.e., learning and neurodevelopmental disabilities) in post-secondary settings? To answer this question, a methodical search of databases was undertaken, relevant research was compiled, and articles were summarized and categorized. Results: We ran two searches each using different sets of key words. Although our searches proved unsuccessful, we provide a brief annotated bibliography of sources we knew to exist prior to our search. In addition, we offer a comprehensive discussion exploring why the searches failed, along with a discussion of some broader issues related to academic integrity and student accessibility. Implications: Scholarly and practitioner inquiry into the connections between academic integrity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion have been slow to develop. This presents opportunities for further inquiry, though we offer the caveat that such studies should be undertaken in the spirit of student success and supports. Most often discussion of the academic integrity and students with disability focus on the legitimacy of the academic accommodations. As more stakeholders become aware of the need to understand the connections between academic integrity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion, there is room for further recommendations for policy, policy implementation, and support through technology, education, and intervention programs. Additional materials: 82 References; 2 Tables. [Funding for this research was provided by University of Calgary, Vice Provost Teaching and Learning, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.]

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to provide background information to develop deeper awareness about contract cheating in Canada and generate conversations about possible legislative approaches to address this growing problem. Methods: A qualitative legal analysis of legislation from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and US (17 states) was conducted. In addition, a synthesis of current research relating to legal aspects of contract cheating is provided. Results: There is inconsistency in how various jurisdictions have approached legislation intended to address contract cheating. Although some legislation was enacted in several US states in the 1970s, there has been increased activity in recent years to pass legislation in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and most recently, the UK. A failed attempt in Ontario, Canada to enact legislation in 1972 is also discussed. Implications: Legislation against contract cheating may have limitations, but is nevertheless a useful way to combat commercial academic cheating enterprises that compromise the integrity of credentials awarded by institutions. Recommendations for institutions, scholars, and policy makers are offered.

Purpose: The goal of this session is to provide an in-depth account of the history and development of contract cheating in Canada over the past 50+ years. You will also learn about the one and only (failed) attempt at legislation to make ghostwritten essays and exams illegal in Canada. Method: The content of this session is drawn from Eaton's book chapter on contract cheating in the forthcoming edited volume, "Academic Integrity in Canada: An Enduring and Essential Challenge" (Eaton & Christensen Hughes) that involved over a thousand hours of historical research and digging into archival material to uncover that the contract cheating industry in Canada has been operating successfully for longer than most of us ever realized. Results: Get the details on a criminal case in the 1980s, noted as being the first of its kind in Canada, and possibly the Commonwealth, that made history when an essay mill owner and his wife were charged with fraud and conspiracy. The case was dismissed by the judge, leaving the contract cheating industry to flourish in Canada, which it has done with a vengeance. Then learn about an exposé in a major US magazine in the 1990s that presented in-details about the experiences of writers who supplied services to the contact cheating industry. Now that we are in the 21st century, find out what's being done across the country today to take action against contract cheating. Implications: I share previously undiscovered evidence and insights that shows how the contract cheating industry has been proliferating in Canada for at least half a century. Even if you thought you knew about contract cheating in Canada, you'll almost certainly learn something new in this session. I conclude with strong calls to action for educators, advocates, and policy makers.

Purpose: The goals of this project are: (1) Identify existing components of academic integrity policies and procedures related to contract cheating; (2) identify gaps in existing academic integrity policies and procedures related to contract cheating; (3) evaluate the policies and procedures against existing standards for post-secondary education policy; (4) compare supports available for undergraduate students and graduate students; and (5) develop and communicate recommendations for policy reform. The research question that informs this study is: How do post-secondary institutions in Canada address contract cheating in their academic integrity policies and related documents? Methods: We used a qualitative policy analysis, using Bretag et al.'s (2011) five core elements (access, approach, responsibility, detail, and support) of exemplary academic integrity policy as a framework for analysis. Policy documents were collected through public websites of publicly funded colleges and universities in Canada (n=67). Results: Policies from post-secondary institutions in five Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario) have been analyzed thus far. These include publicly-funded colleges (n=22) (Ontario) and universities (n=45). Results showed that policies lacked consistency and fewer than 5% (n=3) used the term "contract cheating" explicitly. None of the policies could be considered exemplary according to the Bretag et al. (2011) framework. Implications: There is a need for Canadian higher education institutions to improve their academic integrity policies to address contract cheating more explicitly and also to focus on providing more educational supports to students to learn how to uphold academic integrity at their respective institutions.

Purpose: The goal of this report is to provide substance for an evidence-informed discussion about the intersection of precarious academic employment and the contract cheating industry. Methods: This is a qualitative report informed by the extant literature. It synthesizes available source material relating to academic staff who also supply services (e.g., essay writing, assignment completion, etc.) to the commercial contract cheating industry. Results: A summary and synthesis are provided of issues relating to precariously employed academic staff and the contract cheating industry. A key outcome of this work is to highlight how the commercial cheating industry preys on underemployed academic staff. Predatory practices of the contract cheating industry are highlighted including false promises of high pay and meaningful work. Consequences such as disciplinary action and dismissal of academic staff who moonlight as suppliers to the industry are discussed, along with possible counter-measures to raise awareness and protect academic staff. Implications: This guide is intended to provide guidance on methods used by the commercial contract cheating industry to exploit contract academic staff. Recommendations are provided on how to build awareness about the issue and also consider protections for the precariously employed.