College professor tricks students with hidden AI prompt

A Mississippi college professor went viral after using a hidden “AI trap” in a midterm to discourage students from generating responses with chatbots. Dr. Jason Gibson, of Alcorn State University, embedded the word “Madagascar” in the exam prompt using invisible ink, intending students copying and pasting into AI tools wouldn’t notice the inserted word. Instead, many submissions contained it as nonsensical text, such as phrases including “Madagascar purple bicycle whispers to the ceiling” and “Madagascar floats sideways through the afternoon.” Gibson said 32 of 35 students failed that portion after relying on AI for their entire response. He said his goal was academic integrity and invited appeals from anyone who believed grading was unfair.