Impact of permitting Microsoft Copilot use under the course policy

Determine the impact of permitting Microsoft Copilot use under the stated course policy in the three studied upper-level proof-based undergraduate mathematics courses.

Background

The courses explicitly allowed generative AI (Microsoft Copilot) use, with requirements to verify outputs and reference textbook results by number. The instructor observed differences in submissions and student behaviors but emphasized that the true impact of this policy could not be established from the available data.

This unresolved question concerns how allowing Copilot, within the described constraints, affects student work and the course overall, including potential benefits (e.g., awareness of AI limitations) and drawbacks (e.g., quality issues, unusual mistakes) that were anecdotally observed.