College students are noticing their AI-smoothed writing sounds strong — and not like them

Is AI-generated writing now becoming the implicit standard for “good work”? (Nicolas Flor/Unsplash) College students are noticing their AI‑smoothed writing sounds strong — and not like them Published: May 6, 2026 9.51am EDT Share article Print article Generative AI has become a part of everyday student life in Canada. While institutions focus on misconduct and detection, a deeper shift is happening, one that concerns identity. A recent KPMG Canada report finds that 73 per cent of students use generative AI for schoolwork, and nearly half say it is their “first instinct.” Also significant i…