TI-84 Calculator Hack Lets Students Access ChatGPT During Exams
Over the weekend, YouTuber ChromaLock released a video demonstrating how he modified a Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator to connect to the internet and access OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This breakthrough could offer students a new way to bypass exam restrictions.
In the video, titled “I Made the Perfect Cheating Device,” ChromaLock showcases a hardware modification that allows users to enter questions using the calculator’s keyboard and receive real-time answers from ChatGPT.
How the Hack Works
ChromaLock began by studying the calculator’s port, which is typically used for transferring educational programs between devices. He then designed a custom circuit board called the “TI-32,” featuring a Seed Studio ESP32-C3 microcontroller with Wi-Fi support (costing about $5) and other components needed to interface with the calculator’s systems.
It’s important to note that this invention is not a commercial project. Anyone can replicate the modification by purchasing a TI-84 calculator, a Seed Studio ESP32-C3 microcontroller, various electronic components, and fabricating the custom circuit board using the open-source schematics provided by ChromaLock.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
The creator faced several technical hurdles, such as voltage incompatibility and signal integrity issues. However, after several iterations, he managed to integrate the custom board inside the calculator’s case so that no external changes are visible.
Custom Software and Features
In addition to the hardware, ChromaLock developed custom software for both the microcontroller and the calculator, which is available as open-source code on GitHub. The system emulates another TI-84 calculator, allowing users to utilize built-in commands for file transfers. This makes it easy to load special programs, including one that provides a ChatGPT interface.
Despite its capabilities, the device has some limitations. Entering long alphanumeric questions on the calculator’s small keyboard is slow and inconvenient, which somewhat reduces its effectiveness.
Additional Cheating Tools
Beyond the ChatGPT interface, the modified calculator offers several other features to aid in cheating. For example, the video shows a browser that can display preloaded images, which can serve as cheat sheets. There’s also the ability to upload text files with hints disguised as program source code. In the future, ChromaLock plans to add a camera function, though details about this feature remain unknown.
Bypassing Exam Security
According to ChromaLock, his device can circumvent common anti-cheating measures, such as test mode locks on calculators. The loader program can be installed as needed and easily deleted before a teacher’s inspection.
Academic Integrity Concerns
While this project is presented as a technical achievement, using ChatGPT during exams via a calculator would almost certainly be considered academic dishonesty and could lead to serious consequences.