As a student, I’ve got mixed feelings about TurnItIn. It’s been around long enough to become an institution in education. Ask any student and you’ll hear at least one horror story about this tool.
That’s why, when they announced that they’re going to tackle AI detection, I was already skeptical. And as it turns out, I was right to be.
There are many stories out there of students getting falsely accused of using AI by TurnItIn. Because of that, many students turn to alternative AI tools just to nip this issue in the bud before it’s their turn to get a false positive. One of these tools is Undetectable AI.
But the question remains: how effective can Undetectable AI actually be against TurnItIn? Let’s answer that question in this article.
What Are TurnItIn and Undetectable AI?
TurnItIn is a popular choice for educational institutions to prevent students from cheating. Founded in 1998, it’s been the teachers’ first line of defense against plagiarism by comparing assignments against online resources, academic publications, and even previous student submissions.
Since ChatGPT and other LLMs became commonplace, TurnItIn launched a new feature: AI detection. This uses advanced analysis techniques to figure out if a student’s work came from a machine or if it’s actually written by a person.
On the other hand, Undetectable AI is an AI-powered paraphraser that humanizes text so it can bypass AI detection. This is done through a careful rearrangement of sentences, removal of common AI markers, and addition of some human errors to trick AI detection tools.
Since we’re on the topic, it’s also worth noting that Undetectable AI actually discourages students from using their technology to cheat.
The Secret Truth About TurnItIn
Before we answer the question posed in the title, it’s important to set the scene.
The reason why so many students, even those who don’t use AI, dislike TurnItIn in classrooms is because of false positives. You see, the problem isn’t with the intent — it’s with the implementation. Some professors take AI detector results at face value and unfairly judge a student’s work based on it even after numerous studies proving that detection isn’t really reliable today.
And this isn’t just a nightmare scenario. In fact, it’s happened before. William Quarterman of UC Davis was given a failing grade for a false positive AI result from TurnItIn. It took weeks before he could clear his name, and even then, he was already knee-deep in stress because of something he didn’t do.
That’s why students need a tool like Undetectable AI even if they’re not cheating — it could be your way out of a sticky situation if more universities treat AI detection as gospel.
Can Undetectable AI Bypass TurnItIn Detection?
Unfortunately, we can’t actually test TurnItIn’s AI detector on our own unlike our previous “Undetectable AI vs … ” articles. Instead, we’ll have to turn to people’s opinions for this matter.
Based on a recent post in the ChatGPT community on Reddit, it seems that the answer is yes, Undetectable AI can bypass TurnItIn detection. But there’s still a level of variability there, as Undetectable AI can’t always avoid detection and it seems that’s still the case for TurnItIn.
If you’re still worried about the possibility of getting flagged, I highly suggest using other AI detectors if you don’t have access to TurnItIn. Based on our latest batch of testing, I highly suggest Winston or Sapling if you’re on a tight budget. You could also check out some of our other articles pitting Undetectable AI against detectors like Originality.
Some Considerations When Using Undetectable vs. TurnItIn
So, you’re up against TurnItIn. Chances are, you’re using Undetectable AI for schoolwork. Here’s a little tip for you: re-read the output.
One of the little quirks I dislike about Undetectable AI is its use of intentional errors to humanize text. For example, here’s a ChatGPT-generated essay and its Undetectable AI equivalent:
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Whey protein is a high-quality, complete protein derived from the liquid byproduct of cheese production. Packed with essential amino acids, it is easily digested and rapidly absorbed by the body. Whey protein is a popular supplement among athletes and bodybuilders due to its ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and aid in muscle recovery after intense exercise. It is also useful for weight management, as it can help increase feelings of fullness and reduce appetite. Available in powder form, whey can be mixed into shakes, smoothies, or baked goods for a convenient protein boost. With its impressive nutritional profile, whey protein is a versatile addition to a healthy, active lifestyle. |
Whey protein, a notch protein sourced from the liquid leftover from cheese making is rich, in essential amino acids and easily processed by the body. It’s a supplement among fitness enthusiasts and weightlifters for its role in boosting muscle protein synthesis and aiding post workout muscle recovery. Additionally it can support weight management by promoting satiety and curbing cravings. Whey protein comes in powder form. Can be blended into shakes, smoothies or baked treats for a protein boost. With its benefits whey protein is a versatile choice, for those leading an active and healthy lifestyle. |
Notice how it’s full of missed punctuations, misused words, and monotonous phrasing? That’s the Undetectable AI effect. The truth of the matter is that the most effective way of bypassing AI detection is through grammar mistakes, and Undetectable AI is aware of that.
However, here’s the issue: professors grade your essays by reading them thoroughly. Undetectable AI may bypass TurnItIn, but forget an A+ because, the way this is written, you’d be lucky to get a C-. So, what should you do?
How To Use Undetectable AI Properly
Once you have your Undetectable AI output, there are only two steps left so you can fully beat AI detectors while passing your class. These are the following:
#1: Further Tweaking
Of course, you need to fix the grammar issues. However, that may result in getting a positive AI likelihood score, so you also need to be acutely aware of what to avoid. Here are some common AI markers that you need to remove:
- Repetition.
- Listing too many examples.
- Hallucination.
- Over-reliance on transition words.
- Common AI words such as “delve”, “utilize”, and “revolutionize.”
As an example, here’s what the tweaked text looks like of the example I showed above:
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The ketogenic, or “keto,” diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. By drastically reducing carb intake and replacing it with healthy fats, the keto diet can promote weight loss and improved blood sugar control. However, it’s a restrictive diet that requires diligent tracking of macronutrients and could increase risk of nutrient deficiencies if not properly planned. While effective for some, the keto diet may not be suitable long-term due to its elimination of many nutrient-dense foods. As with any diet, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional, especially for those with underlying medical conditions. With commitment and guidance, the keto approach can be a useful tool for certain health goals. |
The ketogenic diet involves consuming carbohydrates and a high amount of fats. It encourages the body to use fat for fuel of relying on carbs. By reducing intake and increasing fat consumption this diet. Can aid in weight loss. Help regulate blood sugar levels. However it is an eating regimen. That necessitates monitoring of food, choices. Failure to plan meals, carefully could result in intake of nutrients. While some person find success, with the keto diet sustaining it long term may prove challenging due to restrictions on foods. Prior consultation with a healthcare professional is advisable, before embarking on any changes particularly if you have underlying health concerns. With dedication and expert guidance, adopting the approach has the potential to support health objectives. |
#2: Use The Human Typer Extension
When falsely accused of using AI, you need evidence to back up your claim that you wrote the assignment. One of the easiest ways to do this is through Google Docs’ history, where you can show the progression of your essay as you’re writing it.
Now, if you don’t have the time to re-type the entire text, you can always rely on Undetectable AI’s Human Typer Chrome extension. This lets you input a text and Undetectable AI will simulate human typing (including errors and backspacing) in a Google Doc sheet. You can check out our full review of it here.
The Bottom Line
ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude — these are all revolutionary technologies and I’d argue for their effectiveness in education all the time. But I’m also not naive enough to say that they’re not being misused in classrooms.
TurnItIn’s AI detection exists because we need to prevent AI misuse in education, but it’s not reliable enough to be considered a necessity in classrooms. Even so, teachers still use them because of a lack of alternatives. And such, students resort to using Undetectable AI just to pass a class, but there are some who still use this tool to cheat their way through school.
And the cycle continues.
Just to answer the question, yes. Most of the time, Undetectable AI bypasses TurnItIn’s detection. But the only way we can break this cycle of mistrust in education is through ourselves. So, despite Undetectable AI and other tools being effective, I highly encourage you to always practice responsible AI use.
If you’re interested in learning more about AI’s role in education, hear what teachers think of LLMs in this article. Happy reading!
