ChatGPT: An ever-increasing encroachment of artificial intelligence in online assessment in distance education

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is becoming increasingly prevalent, and its encroachment and impact on online education and assessment is a topic of interest to researchers and lecturers. ChatGPT is one such AI model that has been trained on a large corpus of text data to generate human-like responses to questions and prompts. Using the theory of disruptive innovation as a foundation for our argument, this conceptual article explores the potential and disruption of ChatGPT in online assessment. This article also considers the ethical implications of using ChatGPT, particularly in relation to online assessment in distance education. While the use of AI in online assessment presents a myriad of limitations and possibilities, it is crucial to approach its use with caution and consider the ethical implications of academic integrity for online assessment. This article aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion and debate around the use of AI in online higher education and assessment, highlighting the need for continued research and critical evaluation of its impact.