OpenAI offers free ChatGPT “Plus” during finals season while ...
UT eliminates flag system requirement for classes, graduation‘The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt’: Butthole Surfers documentary is wild, riveting, emotionalPro-Palestine demonstrators protest annual Texas Hillel Israel Block PartyDeceased person found on campus with no ongoing threat to communityLive shot: Paul Simon breaks the silence with ‘A Quiet Celebration’ at Bass Concert Hall
Free ChatGPT “Plus” Offer
"Thanks for verifying your student status! You can now claim two free months of ChatGPT Plus," is what someone would see in their email if they clicked one of the many ads online, signed up for OpenAI’s ChatGPT and waited approximately five seconds for the site’s verification process to cross check their name with a database of college students.
Features of ChatGPT “Plus”
ChatGPT has become a popular AI tool since its creation in 2022. The “Plus” version, which normally costs $20 a month according to OpenAI’s website, allows students to access a number of features unavailable in the free version, including a higher number of uses for its image generation, data analysis, and text-to-voice options.
Impact on Students
The offer to use the "Plus" version for free comes at a crucial time, especially during final(s) season. Mathematics junior Odette Saenz shared her thoughts, stating, "Their marketing is kind of great, I would say spot on, especially since it’s closer to final(s) season. They’re definitely going to get more users, especially since they actually just opened it up, from my understanding, to college students."
AI in Education
The use of AI generation is a topic of discussion as UT students and faculty explore the role of AI in curriculum. Some writing professors explicitly ban the use of AI generation in their syllabi. English professor Carol MacKay expressed concerns about the impact of using AI in the writing process, highlighting the importance of traditional writing skills.
Student Perspectives
Nadia Azib, a visiting researcher, emphasized the need for proper research validation when using AI models like ChatGPT. While ChatGPT can be a helpful tool for generating ideas, Azib stressed the importance of verifying information independently.
On the other hand, Saenz, who is studying machine algorithms, raised concerns about the long-term benefits of relying on ChatGPT for coursework. She suggested that while AI tools may offer convenience, investing time and effort in understanding course materials independently could be more beneficial in the long run.
