Student Sues University of Michigan, Claiming It Mistook Her Anxiety-Ridden Writing Style for AI

A University of Michigan student accused of using artificial intelligence on writing assignments is suing the school, arguing that AI-like elements of her writing style actually result from an anxiety disorder. In a federal lawsuit, the student, who is identified as Jane Doe, says she has general anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which account for her writing and speaking style. “Plaintiff vehemently denied use of AI for the course papers … explaining that traits associated with GAD and OCD, including formal tone, meticulous structure, stylistic consistency, and heightened distress during oral confrontation, can be misinterpreted as artificial or dishonest behavior and are not proof of AI misuse,” the lawsuit says. The lawsuit says that the plaintiff provided documentation of her “disabilities” to UM. She alleges that a graduate student instructor in her “Great Books 191” class falsely accused her of academic misconduct, claiming that her writing style was similar to AI writing styles.The student says that when the graduate assistant began filing misconduct charges against her in the fall of 2025, she provided documents showing how her disabilities affected her writing style.However, the lawsuit says that the student was given a “no record” grade on her transcript, which hurt her academic standing and her ability to transfer to a different school.The lawsuit also alleges that the graduate assistant was overzealous in trying to detect when students used AI. The filing includes a statement from the assistant who stated, “If a university cannot stand up for its values against AI, then death is only a mercy. I fear that grading has made me paranoid and inclined to see AI everywhere.”The student is appealing her misconduct charge. She also filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s office of civil rights. The university declined to comment on the pending litigation.Professors have been grappling with how to crack down on students using AI for several years, with many using AI detectors. Critics say those programs are not reliable and have flagged work that was actually completed by students, which has prompted lawsuits from students who say they suffered emotional distress after falsely being punished.

Student Sues University of Michigan, Claiming It Mistook Her Anxiety-Ridden Writing Style for AI

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