ChatGPT for Proofreading: Why 38% of Gen Z Edits AI Output

ChatGPT is the most commonly used AI study tool among Gen Z. According to EssayPro’s research, 84% of students rely on it during academic work, which explains why using ChatGPT for proofreading has become a regular part of writing tasks. Students use it to review drafts, check language, and spot issues before submission. At the same time, they do not treat AI output as final work. The data shows that 38% of students copy AI-generated text into a separate file and edit it before turning it in.

This research was conducted by the EssayPro team to document how students actually write and revise assignments. If you'd rather revise your own work rather than trust an AI tool to do it, you can use our self editing checklist or even ask one of our writers for help with your papers.

Demographics of the Research

The research is based on responses from 384 U.S. students who use both mobile and desktop devices for their schoolwork. Most participants are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, which means the data reflects students who write papers on a regular basis. The sample includes students from many different fields of study, so the results reflect writing habits across disciplines with different expectations and formats.

Education levels of the research participants:

• Bachelor’s programs: 42%
• Master’s programs: 22%
• Associate or Certificate programs: 21%
• Doctorate or Professional programs: 12%
• Other education paths: 3%

Fields of study break down as follows: Computer Science and Engineering make up 23% of participants, followed closely by Business and Marketing at 22%. Healthcare accounts for 14%, while Social Sciences represent 12%.

How Gen Z Uses ChatGPT for Proofreading

According to EssayPro’s research, proofreading with ChatGPT happens for very specific tasks. Students commonly use it to fix grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, rework sentences, and make minor edits throughout a document. ChatGPT helps students clean up writing, but it does not replace their own judgment. Most students treat it as only one part of the drafting process, not as the final editor.

The numbers make that clear: only 2% submit AI-generated text without editing it. Many students use AI output to understand wording or structure, then rewrite the text themselves. As a result, the final submission is usually human-edited text. ChatGPT helps spot issues faster, but students decide what stays, what changes, and what gets removed before submission.

Editing ChatGPT Output before Submission

Editing AI output is a standard step for many students. The research shows that 38% move ChatGPT-generated content into a separate file and edit it before submission. This behavior reflects concern around ChatGPT accuracy issues reported in the same data. Another 33% use AI only to understand the topic and never submit generated content. Students rely on editing to fix logic, wording, and clarity issues. Human review shapes the final text through revisions and corrections. Students stay responsible for accuracy and meaning, even when AI supports the writing process earlier on.

The Reasons for Gen Z’s Distrust of ChatGPT for Proofreading

Students use ChatGPT often, but they become more careful when grades are involved. The research and student comments highlight recurring concerns that explain this caution. These patterns help clarify ChatGPT limitations for students, especially during proofreading, where small mistakes can have serious consequences. Here are the most common reasons why students mistrust ChatGPT.

Accuracy Issues

Accuracy is the leading concern. The research shows that 22% of ChatGPT users report accuracy issues, making it the most common complaint. Students describe answers that look convincing but contain errors or missing details. Several comments mention needing extra time to verify information because results cannot be trusted at face value. For proofreading, this creates friction. Students expect corrections to reduce mistakes, not introduce new ones. When accuracy feels uncertain, students double-check instead of relying on AI output.

Unnatural Language Edits

Language changes also raise concern. For example, Grammarly users report excessive or inappropriate suggestions at 51.4%, and similar complaints appear in student comments about ChatGPT. Students describe stiff and overly formal edits, as well as outputs that are completely unlike their own writing. Some mention AI responses that push too much information or force a tone that does not fit the assignment. Proofreading should preserve voice. When AI alters it, trust drops quickly.

Weak Sourcing and Unclear References

Students shared short written comments describing how AI tools work during proofreading and research tasks. According to them, source handling is also a barrier. Many comments point to missing citations, unclear references, or answers that seem to pull information without explanation. The numbers reflect the same concern. 51% of students ask AI tools to rely only on trusted sources. Another 36% go further and name specific databases or sources in their prompts.

Students explain that suggestions lose value when they cannot trace them back to a source. Without links or verifiable references, they must verify the information themselves. Proofreading then becomes an additional verification step rather than a reliable form of support.

Check out our structured list of annotated bibliography topics if you're looking for fresh ideas for your research paper.

Why Students Recheck AI Output in Other Editors

Many students move AI-generated text into Word or Google Docs before submitting assignments. This step helps catch ChatGPT proofreading mistakes that automated tools miss. These editors give full manual control, visible track changes, and consistent formatting across the entire document. Students can review language line by line without new suggestions appearing mid-edit. Rechecking also helps maintain voice and tone across longer papers. This habit reflects caution rather than inefficiency. Students trust familiar editors to confirm accuracy, clarity, and consistency before submission. The final review happens where students feel confident making decisions without AI interference.

Using AI as a Tool for Learning Rather Than a Shortcut

The research shows that 33% of students use AI only to understand a topic and never submit AI-generated text. This group treats AI as study support, not as a writing replacement. Students rely on explanations to clarify ideas, organize thoughts, or understand structure, then write independently. For example, if a student uses a thesis statement generator to summarize the main point of their paper, this approach helps protect academic integrity and reduces the risk of plagiarism. By separating learning from submission, students avoid plagiarism issues and accuracy problems. Gen Z uses AI to support learning while keeping responsibility for final work firmly in human hands.

How Students Use Sources to Decide What They Trust

Students pay close attention to sources when working with AI tools. As we mentioned in the section above, EssayPro's research shows that:

• 51% of students ask AI systems to rely only on trusted sources during academic tasks.
• 36% name specific databases or sources in their prompts.

This behavior shows that students want to see where information comes from before accepting proofreading suggestions. When sources remain unclear, confidence drops. Even well-written corrections feel uncertain without visible references. Source control helps students manage risk and protect accuracy. It also reduces the need for extra fact-checking later. For many students, trust depends on verifiable sources rather than fluent language alone. Proofreading feels reliable only when the source behind each suggestion makes sense.

If you're just now figuring out sources and references, start by learning the difference between bibliography vs works cited.

What All of This Means for AI in Proofreading

The research shows that simple rewrite-and-submit workflows do not reflect student behavior. Only 2% submit AI-generated text without edits. Most students review, adjust, and verify before turning work in. This explains the growing demand for specific features. Students want suggestions linked to clear sources. They expect explanations that show why a correction was made. Silent changes create doubt. Many also want control over tone so edits match their writing style. AI works best when it supports decision-making during proofreading. Students stay involved at every step. The process succeeds when control remains in human hands.

Wrapping Up

The findings point to consistent patterns. Students use AI frequently, yet trust depends on accuracy, source transparency, and natural-sounding language. Editing before submission remains common practice because students still feel that AI output is not something they can confidently submit without careful proofreading.

If you're one of those students who use AI only in the early stages of their writing, you can use EssayPro's outline generator and create a starting point for your essay. If you'd like to delegate your tasks to the professionals, you can even ask one of our writers to take over your assignments.

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