Berkeley Professor Admits Using AI to Edit Op‑Ed on Student Math Skills

A San Francisco Standard op‑ed by University of California, Berkeley math professor Zvezdelina Stankova has drawn attention for its use of artificial intelligence in the editing process. Stankova, who has written a 2,000‑word piece last week, disclosed that an AI tool assisted her in refining the article, which criticizes the university system’s “test‑blind” admissions policy. The op‑ed argues that the removal of standardized tests such as the SAT has contributed to a significant gap in foundational math skills among incoming students.

In the article, Stankova claims that some of her students are “five to eight years” behind their peers and lack a basic middle‑school education in fractions and algebra. She attributes this deficiency to the broader admission strategy that prioritizes holistic metrics over traditional test scores. The piece highlights the challenges faced by Berkeley’s mathematics program, noting that students who are not adequately prepared for the rigor of the curriculum are being admitted under the current system.

Stankova’s admission that AI helped edit her op‑ed underscores the growing role of technology in academic publishing. While the article itself remains a critique of admissions practices, the disclosure of AI assistance adds a layer of transparency to the writing process and raises questions about the evolving standards for editorial support in scholarly and public discourse.