AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Santiago Schnell Steps Down as Dartmouth Provost
Dartmouth College announced on Wednesday that its provost, Santiago Schnell, has resigned after a university review determined that his use of artificial intelligence (AI) in written work violated Dartmouth’s code of ethical conduct.
Background to the Resignation
Schnell, who had held the position since last year, was Dartmouth’s No. 2 administrator. His resignation follows investigative reporting by The Dartmouth, the college’s student newspaper, and the news site Semafor. Both outlets publicly disclosed that some of Schnell’s opinion articles appeared to have incorporated AI-generated content without proper attribution.
Findings of the Review
The university examined Schnell’s recent writings following the reports. The review found that his reliance on AI in academic writing did not align with the institution’s expectations for ethical conduct. Specifically, Dartmouth College cited improper disclosure regarding the use of artificial intelligence in published opinion articles as the reason for Schnell’s departure.
Implications for Academic Integrity and AI Use
This development has highlighted ongoing concerns about AI use and disclosure in academia. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in academic writing, questions are arising around transparency, ethical guidelines, and the need for clear standards on AI disclosure. Dartmouth’s handling of the situation underscores the importance of adhering to established policies regarding ai ethical conduct in academic environments.
Relevant Coverage and Commentary
The Semafor news site cited an August commentary by Schnell that was among the works under scrutiny. The president's office at Dartmouth has not released additional details about the scope of AI used in Schnell’s writings.
Moving Forward at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College has not yet announced who will assume the role of college provost following Schnell’s resignation. The outcome signals potential future updates to the institution’s ai guidelines and a greater emphasis on academic integrity as the use of AI in academia grows.
Source: boston.com.
