Secret calculator hack brings ChatGPT to the TI-84, enabling straightforward dishonest

On Saturday, a YouTube creator referred to as “ChromaLock” revealed 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 checks. The video, titled “I Made The Final Dishonest Gadget,” demonstrates a customized {hardware} modification that enables customers of the graphing calculator to kind 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, usually used for transferring academic applications 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 elements to interface with the calculator’s techniques.

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 elements, and fabricating a customized PCB based mostly on ChromaLock’s design, which is out there 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 obtainable open source on GitHub. The system simulates one other TI-84, permitting folks 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 kind 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 characteristic permits college students to obtain not solely video games for post-exam leisure but additionally text-based cheat sheets disguised as program source code. ChromaLock even hinted at a future video discussing a digicam characteristic, although particulars had been sparse within the present demo.

ChromaLock claims his new machine can bypass widespread anti-cheating measures. The launcher program could 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 may also supposedly break calculators out of “Take a look at Mode,” a locked-down state used to stop dishonest.

Whereas the video presents the challenge as a technical achievement, consulting ChatGPT throughout a take a look at in your calculator nearly definitely represents an moral breach and/or a type of tutorial dishonesty that might get you in deep trouble at most faculties. So tread rigorously, examine laborious, and bear in mind to eat your Wheaties.