Editor’s note: This article uses generative AI in some respects. All applications are clearly identified as such.
OpenAI launched the artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT November 2022during my first semester of college.
I’m sure many of you are familiar with it by now, but to give a definition: ChatGPT can be described as an AI chatbot that can create a human-like dialogue on questions or input using natural language processing. Essentially you ask him any question and he will answer. From math problems to dinner recipes.
For example, when asked “What is the Minnesota Daily”, ChatGPT responded with the following:
“The Minnesota daily is a student-run newspaper based at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It covers university news, local issues, sport, culture and more, with contributions from students, teachers and the wider community. Founded in 1900, it is one of the largest student newspapers in the US. It has a remarkable history of award-winning journalism. The Daily provides a platform for students to gain practical experience in journalism, editorial work and media production, and publishes both in print and online.”
Not bad, Chat. The only thing is that we no longer have printed news.
ChatGPT falls under the umbrella of generative artificial intelligence (AI), which is simply AI that can generate new content.
Compared to when ChatGPT and similar generative AI platforms started to become popular, the rhetoric surrounding it has changed dramatically, both at the University of Minnesota and in national publications.
Shortly after its emergence, ChatGPT and related technologies were heavily frowned upon in my classes. Professors spent part of their lectures complaining about how the platform detracted from creativity and learning opportunities, instead encouraging students to take shortcuts.
To be honest, these aren’t necessarily arguments I disagree with. Even with this column, I’m confident that if I asked ChatGPT to write 700 words on this topic, it would produce a decent amount of work. With much fewer reading errors.
But as others and I have learned, that’s not the point.
Slowly, the stories began to shift and adapt, and so did we as students.
For many college freshmen, ChatGPT is openly introduced and welcomed into their classes.
Frances Kastler, a first-year design student, said some of her professors encourage her to use AI to learn more.
“A few times in my biology class, we’ll discuss something in class, and then my professor will tell us to ask ChatGPT too,” Kastler said.
Muniba Tahir, a first-year biology student, said she was asked to use AI resources as a tool to help her create a study guide or brainstorm ideas.
Lila Moua, a first-year entrepreneurship student, said she has even had the opportunity to use AI to help with classroom exercises and case study problems.
Not only we as students are learning to use AI to our advantage, but also our professors and instructors.
The university now has a “Navigate by AI” web page which sets out guidelines for faculty, staff and students on the use of AI and what the pros and cons are.
Kiarra Haber, a freshman, said AI is a good tool.
“I think if you’re looking for a basic answer, that can be a good one,” Haber said. “But when necessary, I usually try to look a little deeper.”
You can use ChatGPT to create unnecessary shortcuts, but you can also use it to explain things or generate ideas. It’s a place to start, not a place to stay.
Tahir said ChatGPT’s natural language processing element can make finding answers easier than other options.
“I think it makes finding information more accessible, because AI usually learns from experiences with the users,” says Tahir. “ChatGPT can also narrow things down for you so you don’t have a lot of things showing up on the screen.”
What I’m trying to say is don’t use ChatGPT to cheat.
And if you do, definitely don’t cite this column as justification. There are ways to cheat the system, but really you’re just cheating your learning process.
However, it doesn’t have to be all bad. There are ways to use AI platforms ethically and ways to use them that can make learning easier and more accessible for everyone.
Author and futurist HG Wells wrote, “Adapt or perish.” Maybe the sentiment doesn’t quite apply, but like it or not, the age of artificial intelligence has long arrived.
It’s now up to us to figure out how to use it intelligently ourselves.
