Introduction. Term paper as one of the forms of control allows to assess the cadet's readiness for independent search and analysis of information. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, it is becoming more difficult to control the independence of the cadet's coursework. The article raises a pressing problem of cadets' use of artificial intelligence capabilities to prepare term papers, and also raises the question of the presence of restraining factors in their use of artificial intelligence. Methods. The article presents the data of a survey of cadets conducted by the author on the reasons (motives) for their use of artificial intelligence, as well as data on the factors that make them refrain from using it when preparing term papers. The questionnaire compiled based on the survey results allows us to identify the motives for using and not using artificial intelligence when preparing term papers. Results. The article considers the main motives for using artificial intelligence by cadets when preparing written works, identified during the survey. The reasons for their refusal to use the tools provided by artificial intelligence when completing assignments are established. The author comes to the conclusion that internal motivation (interest), the level of development of moral and ethical qualities of the individual, the desire for self-development predetermine whether a cadet will independently write a term paper. At the same time, external control is of lesser importance when cadets decide on the use of artificial intelligence tools.