On Saturday, a YouTube creator known as ChromaLock printed a video detailing how he modified a Texas Devices TI-84 graphing calculator to hook up with the web and entry OpenAI’s ChatGPT, doubtlessly enabling college students to cheat on exams. The video, titled “I Made the Final Dishonest Machine,” demonstrates a customized {hardware} modification that permits customers of the graphing calculator to sort in issues despatched to ChatGPT utilizing the keypad and obtain stay responses on the display screen.
ChromaLock started by exploring the calculator’s hyperlink port, sometimes used for transferring instructional applications between gadgets. He then designed a customized circuit board he calls “TI-32” that comes with a tiny Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller, the Seed Studio ESP32-C3 (which prices about $5), together with different parts to interface with the calculator’s techniques.
It is value noting that the TI-32 hack is not a business mission. Replicating ChromaLock’s work would contain buying a TI-84 calculator, a Seed Studio ESP32-C3 microcontroller, and varied digital parts, and fabricating a customized PCB primarily based on ChromaLock’s design, which is accessible on-line.
The creator says he encountered a number of engineering challenges throughout improvement, together with voltage incompatibilities and sign integrity points. After creating a number of variations, ChromaLock efficiently put in the customized board into the calculator’s housing with none seen indicators of modifications from the skin.
To accompany the {hardware}, ChromaLock developed customized software program for the microcontroller and the calculator, which is offered open supply on GitHub. The system simulates one other TI-84, permitting individuals to make use of the calculator’s built-in “ship” and “get” instructions to switch information. This permits a consumer to simply obtain a launcher program that gives entry to numerous “applets” designed for dishonest.
One of many applets is a ChatGPT interface that is perhaps most helpful for answering quick questions, however it has a disadvantage in that it is gradual and cumbersome to sort in lengthy alphanumeric questions on the restricted keypad.
Past the ChatGPT interface, the machine provides a number of different dishonest instruments. A picture browser permits customers to entry pre-prepared visible aids saved on the central server. The app browser function permits college students to obtain not solely video games for post-exam leisure but additionally text-based cheat sheets disguised as program supply code. ChromaLock even hinted at a future video discussing a digicam function, although particulars had been sparse within the present demo.
ChromaLock claims his new machine can bypass widespread anti-cheating measures. The launcher program will be downloaded on-demand, avoiding detection if a instructor inspects or clears the calculator’s reminiscence earlier than a take a look at. The modification can even supposedly break calculators out of Check Mode, a locked-down state used to stop dishonest.
Whereas the video presents the mission as a technical achievement, consulting ChatGPT throughout a take a look at in your calculator virtually actually represents an moral breach and/or a type of educational dishonesty that would get you in deep trouble at most colleges. So tread fastidiously, examine arduous, and keep in mind to eat your Wheaties.
This story initially appeared on Ars Technica.
