Just recently, a video of a UCLA graduate student flaunting the AI tool, ChatGPT that he used for getting him through college is currently going viral across social media
The viral clip shows the student pulling off the bold move just moments before the graduation ceremony.
Watch UCLA graduate student claims to have used ChatGPT for his final project, video goes viral
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Unsurprisingly, the video footage has sparked a storm of reactions, with some cheering his honesty while others question his ethics.
Video of UCLA Graduate celebrating by showing off the ChatGPT he used
The viral video shows a UCLA graduate, all dressed up in his cap and gown for the graduation ceremony, before he proudly holds up a laptop showing a screenshot of his ChatGPT conversation history. As the student walks around the graduation venue, he is shown grinning and showing off the chats labeled with phrases like “Final Project Essay,” “Last-Minute Thesis Help,” and “Group Presentation Script.”
The UCLA graduate even turns to the camera and says, “Couldn’t have done it without you, ChatGPT!” While this takes place, the crowd of students around him laughs, while some others even clap in support. Although the entire scene was shot as a lighthearted moment, it has become seemingly controversial with many on Twitter/X asking UCLA to revoke the student’s degree.
As of now UCLA is yet to comment on the viral video with the student’s identity not known but he is Asian by ethnicity. It remains unknown as well if he really did use ChatGPT to finish his final project before officially graduating and what action UCLA will take it its indeed the case.
UCLA graduate celebrates by showing off the ChatGPT he used for his final projects right before officially graduating 😭 pic.twitter.com/hZAvrY1fJk
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) June 18, 2025
Tools like ChatGPT have become more accessible, and many students now rely on them to write essays, brainstorm ideas, or even generate entire presentations. As educators debate over the use of AI to assist learning and how it blurs the line between help and plagiarism, the recent video has further added fuel to that tension.
Reactions from netizens
The video has since raised all kinds of questions and backlash from netizens about the dependence on AI tools. It has ignited all kinds of debates over how students use AI in academics to finish their degrees. Many social media users quickly jumped jumping into the debate as opinions were split over the incident. One user commented:
UCLA graduate celebrates by revealing the ChatGPT he used to finish his final projects right before officially graduating 😭
pic.twitter.com/wChhAYmeW6— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 18, 2025
Honestly, work smarter not harder. Dude found the cheat code.”
Another user commented:
This is exactly why degrees are losing value. No effort, just prompts.”
Meanwhile, a third user commented:
Hats off to him for being honest. At least he didn’t pretend he did it all himself.”
Another netizen stated:
If everyone used AI like this, what’s the point of going to college anymore?”