Navigating 'Age of Artificial Intelligence'
My colleague Joe, an English Literature professor at a university recently expressed his concerns about students using AI-generated tools like ChatGPT for their assignments. At the start of the semester, he made it clear that such tools were off-limits for their writing assignments. Joe is not alone among my friends who told me the same feelings — panic, apprehension, and indignation. College teaching roles have become increasingly complex in the post-pandemic world. Adding AI-generated tools to the mix only exacerbates their challenges.
I was equally fascinated and surprised by the rapid responses I got from AI tools, including ChatGPT. The scope of information they can give us, whether right or wrong, is astounding. I was even more amazed at the scope across disciplines including art images and science. However, I was also perplexed by the false citations generated in perfect form. Attempts to verify these citations often led to dead ends, revealing that the AI machine fabricated them. It was a blend of amusement and curiosity when I discovered how easily the AI machine can mimic authenticity.
There is a pervasive fear and saying that machines, including AI-generated writing tools, may eventually outpace and replace human writers someday. This concern even led to protests by the Writers and Screenwriter’s Guild in Hollywood. Yet, there’s a nuanced perspective: those who do not embrace AI tools may find themselves replaced by people who do.
Think about it. We have had a similar experience throughout several decades before with the introduction of calculators and search engines. When the calculator was first introduced, educators worried that students would become overly reliant on these tools, and they would not know how to calculate on their own. History teachers and parents were concerned that students would rely on search engines for quick answers for historical research and fact-finding. That may be true. However, over time, we’ve adapted to use these technologies to our advantage. Can you imagine life without search engines today? The introduction of Google, Bing and other search engines which are ubiquitous in our lives, was just over two decades ago.
ChatGPT, which, publically, is less than a year-old AI-generative tool is still in its infancy. It’s evolving. We do not know its full potential yet. Rather than succumbing to fear and the negative side, why not try it with an open mind? What’s remarkable is the vast amount of information it can collect and present, albeit without discerning its accuracy. Learning to communicate with this machine is an iterative process. Rather than prohibiting the use of this new tool, what about learning to use it properly? So that we are not left behind or replaced by other senior citizens who use modern AI-generated tools better than us.
As with any technological advancement, it’s our adaptability that ultimately determines our success. Embracing AI tools with an open mind can help us navigate the evolving landscape of education and writing in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Shin Freedman (shinfreed@gmail.com) is an author, educator and writer.