A major report on modernizing the education system in Newfoundland and Labrador is peppered with fake sources some educators say were likely fabricated by generative artificial intelligence (AI). Released in July 2025, the Education Accord NL final report, a 10-year roadmap for improving the province's public schools and post-secondary institutions, includes at least 15 citations for non-existent journal articles and documents.

In one case, the report references a 2008 movie from the National Film Board called Schoolyard Games. The film doesn't exist, according to a spokesperson for the board. But the exact citation used in the report can be found in a University of Victoria style guide – a document that clearly lists fake references designed as templates for researchers writing a bibliography.

"Errors happen. Made-up citations are a totally different thing where you essentially demolish the trustworthiness of the material," said Josh Lepawsky, the former president of the Memorial University Faculty Association.

Source https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/education-accord-nl-sources-dont-exist-1.7631364

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