As AI-generated content becomes more widespread, many students and educators are asking, can SafeAssign detect Chat GPT? SafeAssign, a plagiarism detection tool integrated into Blackboard, is designed to compare submitted work against a vast database of academic papers, online sources, and student submissions.
While SafeAssign excels in detecting copied content and similarities, it was not specifically built to detect AI-generated text. However, as AI detection technology advances, SafeAssign’s capabilities may evolve to include AI content identification.
In this article, we’ll explore how SafeAssign works, whether it can detect ChatGPT content, and how students and writers can ensure originality in their submissions.
Also Read: How to Make Chat GPT Not Detectable
What Is SafeAssign?
SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection tool used by universities and institutions through Blackboard to verify the originality of student submissions. It compares documents against:
- The Internet: Publicly available content from various online sources.
- Institutional Database: Previously submitted assignments from students within the same university.
- Global Reference Database: A vast collection of student papers voluntarily added for cross-comparison.
- ProQuest and Academic Sources: A repository of published academic papers, books, and journals.
SafeAssign provides a Similarity Report, highlighting matches and providing a plagiarism percentage.
Does SafeAssign Detect ChatGPT?
SafeAssign does not have built-in AI detection capabilities like Turnitin’s AI detector or GPTZero, but it can still flag ChatGPT-generated content if:
- The AI-generated content has been previously published online or used in another student’s submission.
- The text matches an existing database entry, leading to a high similarity score.
- The professor manually analyzes sentence structures, coherence, and tone to identify AI writing.
Since ChatGPT generates original content each time, SafeAssign may not detect AI-written text unless it appears elsewhere online or has been submitted before.
How Does SafeAssign Work?
SafeAssign scans the submitted text and compares it to multiple databases using advanced algorithms. Here’s how the process works:
- Text Submission – A student submits an assignment through Blackboard with SafeAssign enabled.
- Plagiarism Check – The system scans the document and compares it to academic sources, online articles, and stored submissions.
- Similarity Report Generation – SafeAssign produces a Similarity Score with highlighted areas that match other sources.
- Instructor Review – Professors analyze the report to determine if the content is properly cited or potentially plagiarized.
SafeAssign does not directly detect AI-generated text, but if ChatGPT content contains copied material or closely resembles existing sources, it could raise a red flag.
Does SafeAssign Check for AI?
Currently, SafeAssign does not have a built-in AI content detection feature, meaning it does not specifically check for ChatGPT, GPT-4, or other AI-generated text. However, there are indirect ways it may flag AI-written content:
- Similarity to Published AI-Generated Text – If a ChatGPT response has been published online or submitted before, SafeAssign can detect it.
- Repetitive AI Patterns – AI-generated content may follow a structured and formulaic pattern, which instructors can identify.
- Matching Phrases or Data – If AI-generated text includes common phrases from research papers, blog posts, or academic articles, SafeAssign may flag them as similar.
While SafeAssign does not explicitly check for AI, universities may use additional AI detection tools like GPTZero or Turnitin’s AI checker to verify originality.
Also Read: Does Turnitin Detect ChatGPT?
SafeAssign vs Turnitin: Which One Detects AI Better?
Many universities use SafeAssign and Turnitin for plagiarism detection, but they function differently when it comes to AI-generated content.
| Feature | SafeAssign | Turnitin |
|---|---|---|
| Plagiarism Detection | Yes | Yes |
| AI Detection | No | Yes (AI detection feature available) |
| Database Comparison | Institutional, global reference, internet sources | Institutional, academic papers, commercial content |
| Accuracy in AI Detection | Low | High (Trained AI models for detection) |
Does Turnitin detect ChatGPT? Yes, Turnitin has implemented AI detection technology to identify ChatGPT and other AI-generated content.
Which tool is better for detecting AI? Turnitin is currently more effective at detecting AI than SafeAssign.
Can SafeAssign Detect AI?
Since SafeAssign does not use AI detection algorithms, it is not the best tool for identifying AI-generated text. However, SafeAssign may still raise suspicion if:
- The AI-generated text has been copied from another online source.
- The writing style is too perfect, robotic, or lacks human inconsistencies.
- It detects high similarity with previous submissions or published articles.
Universities that rely heavily on SafeAssign for plagiarism detection may also integrate other AI detection tools to prevent academic dishonesty.
Also Read: Can Gradescope Detect ChatGPT?
How to Ensure Originality When Using AI Writing Tools
If you use ChatGPT or any AI tool for writing assistance, ensure that your work remains original and undetectable by following these best practices:
1. Reword and Rewrite the AI-Generated Text
Instead of submitting AI-generated text as is, paraphrase it in your own words to maintain originality.
2. Add Personal Insights and Analysis
SafeAssign cannot detect AI, but professors can identify robotic writing patterns. Add opinions, personal experiences, and unique examples to humanize the content.
3. Cite Sources Properly
If your AI-generated content includes factual information, quotes, or data, make sure to cite the original sources.
4. Use AI Detection Tools Before Submitting
Check your document with AI detection tools like GPTZero, Winston AI, or Turnitin AI checker before submission to ensure originality.
5. Break AI-Generated Patterns
Modify sentence structures, vocabulary, and writing tone to prevent AI detectors from flagging predictable AI-generated phrases.
FAQs About SafeAssign and ChatGPT Detection
Final Thoughts
Can SafeAssign detect ChatGPT? The short answer is no, as it does not have AI-specific detection capabilities. However, SafeAssign can still flag AI-generated content if it matches existing sources, previous student submissions, or published articles.
While SafeAssign is primarily a plagiarism detection tool, universities may use AI detection tools like Turnitin or GPTZero alongside it. To ensure originality, students should paraphrase AI-generated content, add personal insights, and check for plagiarism before submission.
If you’re using AI for assistance, make sure to edit, rewrite, and personalize your content to ensure it remains undetectable and academically sound.
