On Saturday, a YouTube creator referred to as “ChromaLock” published a video detailing how he modified a Texas Devices TI-84 graphing calculator to connect with the Web and entry OpenAI’s ChatGPT, probably enabling college students to cheat on assessments. The video, titled “I Made The Final Dishonest Machine,” demonstrates a customized {hardware} modification that enables customers of the graphing calculator to kind in issues despatched to ChatGPT utilizing the keypad and obtain reside responses on the display.
ChromaLock started by exploring the calculator’s hyperlink port, sometimes used for transferring academic packages between gadgets. He then designed a customized circuit board he calls “TI-32” that includes 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 programs.
It is value noting that the TI-32 hack is not a business challenge. 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 based mostly on ChromaLock’s design, which is available online.
The creator says he encountered a number of engineering challenges throughout growth, 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 surface.
“I Made The Final Dishonest Machine” YouTube Video.
To accompany the {hardware}, ChromaLock developed customized software program for the microcontroller and the calculator, which is obtainable open source 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 varied “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 downside in that it is gradual and cumbersome to kind in lengthy alphanumeric questions on the restricted keypad.
Past the ChatGPT interface, the system 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 characteristic allows 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 characteristic, although particulars have been sparse within the present demo.
ChromaLock claims his new system can bypass frequent anti-cheating measures. The launcher program might be downloaded on-demand, avoiding detection if a trainer inspects or clears the calculator’s reminiscence earlier than a check. The modification may also supposedly break calculators out of “Test Mode,” a locked-down state used to stop dishonest.
Whereas the video presents the challenge as a technical achievement, consulting ChatGPT throughout a check in your calculator virtually definitely represents an moral breach and/or a type of tutorial dishonesty that might get you in deep trouble at most faculties. So tread fastidiously, research arduous, and bear in mind to eat your Wheaties.
