University upgrades its ChatGPT model to 4 Omni - Student Life
The University has upgraded its secure WashU ChatGPT model to ChatGPT-4 Omni (ChatGPT-4o). The upgrade was brought about by the Digital Intelligence & Innovation Accelerator (DI2), the group responsible for leading WashU’s Digital Transformation initiative. According to an email by the Digital Transformation Chair, Dr. Philip Payne, and Chief Information Officer, Jessie Minton, the upgrade boasts double the previous text generation speed and an experience more congruous with current, public large language models.
Enhancements and Features
"[The] ChatGPT-4o ‘Omni’ model [is] one of [OpenAI’s] most advanced artificial intelligence models capable of complex problem solving,” Payne and Minton’s email read. WashU’s version of ChatGPT, which was launched in December of last year running the ChatGPT 3.5 model, remains free for use by the University community with the upgrade. OpenAI’s free plan provides limited access to ChatGPT-4o, with a fee required for less limited use.
Focus on Equity and Multilingual Support
The University’s choice to make its ChatGPT free is part of DI2’s push for technology equity among students. Dr. Albert Lai, the deputy faculty lead for DI2 and a leader on the University ChatGPT project, said that making this tool free “levels the playing field.” ChatGPT-4o increases support for non-English languages, a feature Payne and Minton highlighted in their email.
Dr. Natalie Monzyk, Assistant Director for Educational Technology at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), emphasized the benefits of having an AI proficient in languages besides English for multilingual students.
Integration into Education
Monzyk mentioned that the CTL is assisting teachers in bringing AI into the classroom, although opinions vary on the inclusion of ChatGPT in educational settings. The CTL has partnered with the University Libraries to launch an Open Scholarship Institutional Repository where professors can share generative AI teaching activities.
Security and Research Usage
Researchers on campus are utilizing WashU’s ChatGPT for its security features. WashU ChatGPT is HIPAA and FERPA protected, ensuring user data privacy. The University has implemented secure API endpoints for high volume research requests.
Concerns and Research in AI
Dr. Umar Iqbal, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, expressed concerns about the use of large language models like ChatGPT in sensitive areas such as healthcare. He highlighted the importance of scrutinizing specific use cases to prevent AI "hallucinations" and ensure factual correctness.
Community Engagement and Inputs
The CTL and DI2 provide avenues for community input on WashU’s ChatGPT. The CTL offers consultations on their website or by booking through their email, and DI2 hosts weekly coffee hours for discussions with Digital Transformation leaders.
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